I have not unfrequently mentioned the peculiar and figurative yet fitting names of places and things given them by the ancient Maoris.^* And so, here, page 68 I would endeavour to explain the compound names of those three prominent peaks of the Ruahine range, viz.—

1.	Te-atua-o-mahuru.
2.	Te-atua-o-parapara: or, Oparapara.
3.	Te-papaki-a-kuuta.

These proper names are each composed of a sentence of four (and five) words; each name containing or implying a personification; and, no doubt, in the opinion of the ancient Maoris possessing a right and proper meaning,—though lost, or nearly so, to the present generation. As it is difficult to explain them fully and clearly in a foot-note in a few words, I have reserved doing so for this place.

1. Te-atca-o-mahuru, pp. 9 and 56.

Of this name the last word (mahuru) is now almost obsolete, rarely used save in old songs, and has several meanings,—all similar to the Maori mind.—(1) Deep yearning affection towards an absent one,—as husband, child, &c. (2) The same exhibited towards any one bringing tidings of the absent one; or, on casually hearing from a travelling party of his welfare, &c. (3) Ease, relief comfortable feelings on sitting and resting after climbing a steep ascent. (4) With the causative particle prefixed,—to help kindly; to attend gently on a weak person; alleviation of pain and weakness; comfort. (5) An old name for the Spring season, return of Spring, warm welcome weather: hence (6) a name for the migratory Cuckoo (Cuculus lucidus), that arrives here early,—nga-karere-o-Mahuru = the heralds of Spring.—

Atua, = (here,)—any being or thing of an evil, demon-like nature, sort, or kind; the enemy, or very opposite of a good thing, sort, or quality.—

Te, art., sing.,—here, emphatic and intensitive.

O, prep. of.—

So that, Te-atua-o-maliuru,—the opponent of, or something opposed to affection, good-tidings, kindness, relief, warm and comfortable weather, &c. A fit name for a barren and rugged mountain top, where in snow and rough weather no one could sit to rest after toiling up the ascent; which might also serve to indicate its being the barrier to loved ones left below on either side.

2. Te atua-o-parapara: or, abbreviated, Oparapara.

Here, too, the last word (parapara) has several meanings.—(1) Dregs, dross, small fragments, crumbs, slime, scud, &c. (2) A sacred isolated spot or place,—fire,—food, &c. Either or both of the above may be well-applied here:—(1) for snow,—as dregs, scud, &c., deposits from the Southerly gales^*:—(2) sacred isolated peak; (N.B. What the old Chief said respecting it, p. 37).

The other three words,—Te,—atua,—and o,—as before.

Then we have,—The disagreeable hateful (place) of the leavings of the page 69 cold Southerly gales,—i.e., snow. Or, if abbreviated, (Oparapara,)—"place" (understood) "of snow." Or, the name may have originally been, carrying out the personification,—Te-atua-ko-parapara; (the k being dropped, as is often done for abbreviation and euphony;) which only serves to intensify disgust at the place.

Those are two of the culminating peaks of the range, and are visible all over Hawke's Bay and country E. and S.

3. Te-papaki-a-kuuta, pp. 46 and 62.

This very remarkable place has certainly a correspondingly remarkable name. As in the former proper names above, so here, the last word is the difficult one to fix the meaning of; though this one is much more so.

After no small study, I think that kuuta must be taken as representing tu uta; (k in ancient words being sometimes used for t;^*) then, tu uta may mean,—Tu, = the warrior god (Mars) defender of the interior (uta).

Papaki—the perpendicular cliff, dyke, barrier.

Te, and a, (active prep, for of) as before.

Thus we have,—The barrier of (the) defender god (of the) interior.

I noticed, that some of the old Maoris of Patea laid stress on and lengthened the last vowel of the word; thus,—"Te-papaki-a-kuutaa": the meaning however would be very nearly the same,—instead of—" the god-defender of the interior" (uta); it would be, the "god-man-slayer by dashing down" (taa). Both meanings, as they seem to me, are equally suitable.—