G.—s
1889. NEW ZEALAND.
A MORIORI VOCABULARY (LETTER FROM S. DEIGHTON, Esq., R.M., CHATHAM ISLANDS, FORWARDING THE FIRST PORTION OF).
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
Mr. Deighton to the TJndeb-Secbetaby, Native Department. Sir, — Chatham Islands, 6th September, 1887. I beg to forward the first portion of the Moriori Vocabulary, and will endeavour to send the second by next mail, consisting principally of sentences, 4c., and, if I can manage it, some of their old legends. You will observe that, though many of the words are the same in writing as the Maori, the pronunciation is different; the letter "t" being pronounced "teh," as tamaiti (Maori), timiti tchimitchi (Moriori), the final i being hardly sounded: in fact, in the greater proportion of the words the final vowel is almost dropped, or rather clipped off. I know of no other way of describing this peculiarity. Ther.e is also a more guttural pronunciation than is shown in the Maori language. The "teh" is more marked in some words than in others, a great many being precisely the same as in Maori. I find it difficult to put in writing the peculiar pronunciation, but my explanation will probably give you an idea of my meaning. I am sorry I have not been able to have finished this work before, but, as I explained to you on a former occasion, the only person I could get any information from (Hirioanu Tapu) resides at the other end of the island, is moreover a great invalid, and his services have only been available for a day or two at long intervals. Hoping that the vocabulary —as much as I have sent —will meet the approval of the Government, I have, 4c, The Under-Secretary, S. Deighton, E M. Native Department, Wellington.
Moriori. Maori. Moriori. Maori. Abandon Hokorere Wkakarere, v. Account, narration Korero Korero, v. Abate Maheiki-marie Mahaki, v. Accurate Tika Tika, v. Abbreviate Hokopoto Whakapoto, v. Accuse Hokaia, hokotuaki Whakapae, v. Abdomen Takapu Takapu, s. Accustomed, to bo Taunga Taunga, v. Abhor Kino Kino, v. Ache E niao Mamae, s. Abhor Hokino, hokotei Whakakino. Acid Kawa Kawa, a. Abide iSCoho Noho, v. Acquire Whiwhi Whiwhi, v. Ability Kaha Kaha, s. (strength.) Acquired Ku ai ka taongS (or He nui nga taonga Abode Kainga Kainga, s. miheke) ka riri ka riro ia ia. Abolish Hokorekore Whakakore, v. ia i Abominable Hokotao, hokote Whakarihariha, a. Action Mahi Mahi, s. Above Nui eti Tera atu, prep, in Active Kohi Hohoro, a. number. Acute Koi titio Koi, a. Abound Hu Hua, v. Add lapita Apiti, v. About (near to) Tata ani ki tangata Tata ana kite ta- Adept . Tohonga Tohunga, a. ngata. Adhere Piri Piri, v. Abridge Hokopoto Whakapoto, v. Admire Mihi Miharo, v. Abscess Whewhe Whewhe, s. Admit Tuku Tuku, v. Absent to bo Ngaro Ngaro, v. Admonish Hokaako Whakaako, v. Absorbed, to be Miti Mimiti, v. Adorn Tawhete Whakapaipai, v. Abstain, from food Mokiau Nohopuku, t>. Advance go Here, hunatu, here Haere, v. WhanaAbsurd Kuare Kuare, a. ra tv, v. Abyss Eere kararo Torero, s. Advantage Tie etiki anohi Huhuatanga, *'. Accelerate Hokohikohi Whakahohoro, v. Adversity Mate Mate, s. Accept Tango Tango, v. Adult Tuwhatu, tangata Kaumatua, s. Access, to have Tata Tata, v. matua Accident Mate Mate, s. Adulterer Tangata maka Tangata puremu, Accompany Kehere tahe taua Me haere tahi taua. s. Accomplished, to Taea Taea, v. Adze . Komanga Kapu, s. be Afar Tiwheatu Tawhiti, adv.