Note 206 — CONTENTS. (continued 4)

If the house is to be pili-thatched, that is with the space between the battens equal to four fingers, then prepare a pointed stick having two eyes, one at one end and one in the middle. This stick measures about one and a half hands in length. If the house be huamoa or wai-thatched, the pointed stick has only one eye. In commencing, first thatch on two battens, then another two, and so keep agoing until sufficient have been started. In piercing string holes they must alternate, and not run in one line, lest the house leak. It is well to alternate the placing of cords, so that they would appear irregular. In preparing the lauhala, however, the thorny edges are stripped before thatching, or else it is wet with water. When the thatching is completed except near the top, two other battens are prepared and placed on either side of the ridge; these battens are called the aho kopekope and we-o. When these have been covered with thatching, again place two other battens, one on each side; and in the middle, another batten called the aho lolo, that is the one next to the supplementary ridge; these battens thatched thus are called kauhuhu.206