G.—4,

2

house represents Euamoana aud Matearehe, ancestors of Ngatipukeko tribe; also Awatope, a god. The image on top of the ridge-pole represents Mokoera, father of Apanui. The twin images on the right hand of the porch represent Taitimuroa and AVahahamama, ancestors of the Patuai tribe. The twin images on the lett of the building represent Tarakiuta and Tarakitai; these twins were boys belonging to the Eongowhakaata tribe. Tupurupuru, a chief of Poverty Bay, was by right entitled to the first of the preserved birds —in fact, to a royalty on all birds killed in Poverty Bay ; but, on these twins reaching maturity, he would lose it, as they were from an elder branch of the family. He therefore determined to get rid of them, and accordingly dug a deep pit across a road where the twins where in the habit of spinning tops. One day he sent them out to play, and so they fell into the pit prepared for them, and were killed. The footboard across the front of the porch represents Oniaira, ancestor of the Ngatiawa, and the image on it was carved by a Fijian named Kune, in honour of Thakobau, of Fiji. The posts on the right of the house represent Kiore, Paraheka, Taha, Pakakaho, and Hikapehiwai, ancestors of the Ngatiawa; Te Kakahotararo, ancestor of the Te Kaha Natives; Te Imuwhakapuru, ancestor of Ngatipukeko; Tuteao and Eangihouhiri, ancestors of the Ngatiawa; Hikareia, father of Hori Tupaea, chief of Tauranga ; Te Eangi Kawehea, ancestor of the chief Eangitukehu, of Eangitaiki; and Matekitatahi, ancestor of the Whanauapanui tribe. The posts on the left side represent Te Eangitumau and Tamaruarangi, ancestors of Ngatiawa ; and Te Harawaka, ancestor of Te AVhanauapanui. The mermaid is called "Te Makarini," after Sir Donald McLean. The next posts represent Waikapuku, Te Tawha, Pirauwhenua, and Tamawhiro, ancestors of the Ngatiawa; Apanui, ancestor of the Whanauapanui tribe ; Te Hukitu, ancestor of Ngatirangi; Te Kama-a-Pakui, Tahakaiora, and Umutaha, ancestors of the Ngatiawa. On the inside of the porch the figures represent Iratumoana, Whetenui, and Kohi, ancestors of Ngatiawa. All these ancestors are descendants of the crew of "Matatua." The Taranaki Ngatiawa are not represented in the house, as they were supposed to have left their shipmates, and had no further communication with them. The descendants of the crew of "Matatua" appear to have kept themselves distinct from the crew of "Te Arawa," although living within a few miles of one another.

Authority: Geoege Didsbuhy, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79.

Price 3d.]