TITIRANGI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23061, 11 June 1938, Page 19

TITIRANGI

Sir,—"Titi-rangi" is, in my opinion, quite correctly rendered "Fringe of Heaven," and is undoubtedly the name of the mountain ridge as viewed from the east as against the western skyline. The Maori people of the generations past so conceived its meaning and it is generally the accepted meaning of to-day. These ranges generally (in some places) are the habitat of the titi (a petrel), and large numbers were formerly caught there in the approI priate season. As the birds flew by night they were attracted by fires lit behind network screens, and were thus enmeshed and collected by the fowlers. This method of catching these birds was known as "nhi-titi." I am sure, however, the name "Titirangi" has no con- | nection with the fowling of the titi | petrel. There is a variety of the koro- ; mika (veronica) very characteristic of ! the local scrub-land flora of these hills, | and known locally therefore as "titirangi," the name given it from its local abundance. Actually Titirangi is a place-name in the mythological i regions of Bangi-tuhaka, and there are I several places so named in New Zealand, as well as in Polynesian, legendary lore. As to "Rangitoto," this name is also found applied to several other i places in New Zealand and each has its particular local application as to historical or topographical origin, and varying, therefore, accordingly. Our local ''Rangitoto" means "Day of Blood" and commemorates an epochmaking pnrekura (battle) fought at what is now known as Islington Bay, about the end of the 14th century. The name is also applied to the black lava rock characteristic of this former active volcanic island. The definition of the place-names of any country requires specific knowledge, not so much the mere meanings that may be applied after dictionary study .as intimate knowledge of the historical or legendary lore of that country. Tliat is only obtainable by close association with the people. The dictionary is very unreliable as a reference in nomenclature. Geo. Graham.