Preparation of Papa-whare or Foundation of a House.

It is, according to Maori belief, a most unlucky act to prepare a site for a new house and then abandon it for another. It is an unwarrantable interference with the body of the Earth Mother, also builders must work continuously at a house, and attend to nothing else until the house is finished. Even to the present day there are superstitious remarks that the death of the late Hata Tipoki (who was the chief and leader of the people in the

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Placement of the Names of Figures of the Takitimu House
Commencing from the Back of the Western Corner of
the House.

Name of Ancestors.

1.	—Tu-Whare-Toa
2.	—Pikiao
3.	—Ngaherehere
4.	—Pourangahua
5.	—Te-O-Tane
6.	—Taraia
7.	—Te Whati-Apiti
8.	—Rongo-Whakaata
9.	—Kahutapere
10.	—Konohi
11.	—Tupai
12.	—Mahaki
13.	—Whakarau
14.	—Tuhoe-Potiki
15.	—Rangi-Te-Ao-Rere
16.	—Uenuku-Kopako
17.	—Tama-Te-Rangi
18.	—Tapuwae
19.	—Rangi-nui
20.	—Whiti-Kaupeka
21.	—Tahu-Matua
22.	—Tamanuhiri
23.	—Kahukura-Nui
24.	—Rakai-Paka
25.	—Te Huki
26.	—Kurahikakawa
27.	—Hikairo
28.	—Tu-A-Pawa
29.	—Tama-I-Uia
30.	—Rangi-Tane
31.	—Te Rehunga
32.	—Te Kapua-Matotoru
33.	—Hauiti
34.	—Pakanui
35.	—Maniapoto
36.	—Kurawari
37.	—Ruapani
38.	—Rongo-Kako
39.	—Tamatea-Pokai-Whenua
40.	—Tawake
41.	—Tamahine-Ngaro
42.	—Turi
43.	—Ruanui
44.	—Tara
45.	—Te Matuahanga
46.	—Te Kawiti
47.	—Paoa
48.	—Apanui-Mutu
49.	—Puhi-Kai-Ariki
50.	—Muri-Whenua
51.	—Te Wera Hauraki
52.	—Tama-Te-Kapua
53.	—Ngatoroi-Rangi
54.	—Hotu-Roa
55.	—Ra-Katauri
56.	—Toroa
57.	—Tama-Ki-Hikurangi
58.	—Mahina-A-Rangi
59.	—Raukawa

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Other Figures

• On the right-hand side "Maihi," or barge-board, is the picture of the Takitimu Canoe.
• And on the "Ama," or slab supporting the maihi, are two figures: On top, Tamatea-ariki-nui (Captain of the Takitimu canoe); Bottom, Ruawharo (Priest of the Takitimu canoe).
• On the left-hand side "Maihi" is the picture of the Horouta Canoe.
• And on the "Ama," or slap supporting the maihi, are two figures: On top, Pawa (Captain of the Horouta canoe); Bottom, Kiwa (Priest of the Horouta canoe).
• On top of "Maihi," or bargeboards, is the "Tiki," named Kahungunu.
• On top of the door lintel is the "Pare," named Rongomai-wahine.
• At the back of the right-hand side of the wall is the figure Hine-Matioro.
• And at the foot of the flagpole is the figure named Tu-Tane-Kai.

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erection of the Takitimu House) was attributable to his consenting to have the house built at Te Uhi (where now the Taihoa Hall is built), and afterwards insisting in building it at the original proposed site at Wai-hirere where the house now stands.

We will now note how a superior house, a whare whakairo, or carved house was built. The levelling of the floor space was done by the eyes as well as they could, and then, to find out any uneven spots, the builders waited for a shower of rain and then took note of where the pools lay. Having levelled the site, the four corners of the oblong building were marked by means of stout pegs driven firmly into the earth, those marking the rear end of the house being first inserted. This rectangular space was squared by means of measuring the diagonals. The cord employed was termed taura ta-tai. A cord was carried right around the rectangular site outside the four pegs, and, when stretched taut, this cord served as a guide in aligning the wall posts of ends and sides, as also the posts erected at the front and rear walls to support the ridgepole.

A house depended for stability on the ridgepole. The side posts were not designed to bear the weight and the thrust of the roof, hence, the ridgepole and its supporting posts were baulks of a considerable size, hewn into shapely form with much labour. The rear post for the ridgepole, the pou-tuarongo, was erected in the middle of the rear wall, while the pou-tahuhu was in the middle of the front wall. If a large house, a third supporting post for the ridgepole (tahuhu) was set up in the middle of the house; this is the pou-toko-manawa (or heart supporting-post). The walls of our superior house were composed of wide, flat slabs or planks (poupou) of hewn timber set in the earth, while the spaces between the slabs were lined with decorative panels to be described anon. The roof was supported by massive hewn rafters (heke) the lower ends of which were fitted into the upper ends of the poupou, the mortice hole made to receive them being a square one, called waha-paepae, or semicircular, termed whakaruar-whetu. It is noted that rafters of such a house are often curved somewhat, not straight hewn, the convex side being uppermost. The upper ends of the rafters were so fashioned as to fit against the ridgepole, being provided with a shoulder The ridgepole was, in some districts, secured to its supporting posts by strong ties of aka, or vines, that fitted into channels on the posts. In some districts, we are told, that they were hollowed to accommodate the curve of the under part of the ridgepole. No form of nail was known; lashing supplied their place.