MAORI MEMORIES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1938, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES.

SKILL (Mohio). (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Calculation by numerals was beyond the scope of the Maori, although his memorised figures were given in pairs or tens, any number above ten became ten and one, two, three, and so on, then two tens and one, etc. This plan of computation is precisely that of the Malayans and is one of the proofs o 4 their common origin. When counting in pairs (topu), thus “seven persons twice told” or “ten and four” means fourteen. The Matihao (fingers) assisted them in this method of counting. More frequently, however, they put one article aside for each ten, and quite innocently included these “counters” in the totalfS. Their tens thus became elevens, and our baker’s dozen probably originated in the same manner. In the absence”’of knowledge in smelting-iron by the use of coal, their mechanical skill in shaping huge, wellbalanced canoes from giant kauri or totara trees was a marvel of skill and patience. To carve, shape, and bore a hard greenstone weapon was the work of a life time, of frequently of two generations. This pounamu was shaped by friction produced by sand and stone. The boring was done by a powhiri (drill), an upright stick with a flint point, driven by a string wound round the stem and pulled alternately back and forth. Stones fixed on a cross bar gave it weight like a flywheel/ Weaving mats and wood carving were their only other mechanical skill. Whale bone and stone were their tools. There is no “Maori art.” Their only attempt to imitate, was to produce fear or repulsion by creating demons. All things in nature were of the gods, too sacred for mortal caricature. Everything was “natural,” nothing could, therefore, be indecent to their ideas.