MAORI MEMORIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18873, 17 February 1933, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES.

INTERESTING VIGNETTES

(Recorded by “J.H.5.”) MAORI NOMENCLATURE. This Is the wonder and the problem •f the pakeha savants. Original Maori names are appropriate and convey the meaning or intention quite clearly. Their history would form a volume of special interest, but the absence of ■writing and the careless listener have varied the sounds until none may recognise them. For Instance, two familiar place names—Pohangina- and Raumal—are meaningless. Originally they were Poangina (peaceful night) and Rau Mahi (the quivering spear). Once we saw a pretty Maori garden home at Paekakarlkl shown on the map as “Pakarawalno," An old whaler from Kaplti took his Maori bride there. Maori like, she asked, “Hei aha to ingoa?" (What is its name?) Ho sailor like, muttered, "Oh, Pakarawalno.” She accepted it as a love token, and the vernacular was registered as a symbol of their happiness. Another such instance occurred but yesterday. The students 'Of Massey Agricultural College sought a.Maori slogan to be printed on the ball programme for their inaugural ceremony. A Maori gave them “Mahl ka retl,” which a pakeha correctly translated as "Work with precision.” How the Maori laughed af his joke of turning Massey College into Maori as y Mahi karetlj