MAORI WORDS,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 3 November 1870, Page 6

MAORI WORDS.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir, — I occasionally read, various papers printed in the various districts of the province, and sometimes get a glimpse at the Provincial Government " Gazette," and I see that a great many places have retained their aboriginal Maori names, but in many instances these names as used are a veritable burlesque on the original. For instance, theie is a big hill opposite the Taieri, which is pronounced Mungitui. Now, as all iJjaori names mdi cate a meaning, I should,, were I asked the meaning of the name, answer that it was a hill where the tui, or parson bird, in numbers made their habitation. The proper name is Mounga Atua which means the mount or hill of spirits. Again, we have Waihola. There is no such word in the whole of the Maoij vocabulary ; the letter 1 does not exist in the language ; it should be Waihora, which signifies swift stream. Then we have Wangaloa, which should be Wangaroa We have "Waikava. ~ssa such word, It should be Waikoxoa, which means bitter water, No doubt the origin of the name arose from the fact of a thirsty Maori having partaken of the water where the influence of the tidal waters prevailed, thereby rendering the water unpleasant, We have Waitahuna. This should be Waituna, which means the water or river of eels, and, true to its name, they are there in abundance. Then we have Waipori, which should be Waipouri, which means dark sluggish water \ and any one who has seen the river will admit that it is properly so named, A blind Maori is called tangata pouri, When they are sad and perplexed, they .say that they are pouri or dark. We have Waikouaiti. This word is rightly rendered, its meaning being water a little bitter, No doubt the thirsty savage, participating of its waters where the tidal influence was only a little felt, gave it this appellation. There in a wood in Dunedin used for tanning

purposes, which goes by the name of

fjoa ;it should be kowhai. The Maori L settlement at Heads is called kaik ; should be hainga. There are many words which require correction, it would be welj ? if tbe native name

is -to -be • retained, that the pr-oper word should be used, A dusky savage would absolutely laugh at the AngloMaori caricature of his forcible and expressiv.e language. More anon. — I am, &c., Maori.