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Umbrella-bush . Acacia osswaldi, Ferdinand von Mueller, N.O. Leguminosae.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native Plants,' p. 363:
'Often called 'Umbrella-Bush,' as it is a capital shade tree. A small bushy tree.'
1894. 'Melbourne Museum Catalogue--Economic Woods,' No. 17:
'The plant is exquisitely adapted for tall hedges. It is often called the 'umbrella tree,' as it gives a capital shade. The heart-wood is dark, hard, heavy and close-grained.'
Umbrella-grass . i.q. Native Millet, Panicum decompositum, Robert Brown, N.O. Gramineae. See Millet. It is called Umbrella-grass, from the shape of the branches at the top of the stem representing the ribs of an open umbrella.
Umbrella-tree, n. name given to Brassaia actinophylla, Endlicher., N.O. Araliaceae, from the large leaves being set, like umbrella-ribs, at the top of numerous stems.
Umu, n. Maori word, signifying a native oven.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 75:
'The tangi had terminated; the umu or 'cooking holes' were smoking away for the feast.'
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, 'Te Ika, a Maui,' p. 389:
'The native oven (umu hangi) is a circular hole of about two feet in diameter and from six to twelve inches deep.'
1872. 'Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,' vol. v. p. 96:
'. . . being all in and around the umus (or native ovens) in which they had been cooked.'
1882. S. Locke, 'Traditions of Taupo,' 'Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,' vol. xv. art. liv. p. 440:
'They killed Kurimanga the priest and cooked him in an oven, from which circumstance the place is called Umu-Kuri.'
1889. S. P. Smith, 'Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,' vol. xxii. p. 98:
'An oven of stones, exactly like a Maori umu or hangi.'
1893. 'Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,' vol. xxvi. p. 432:
'The oumu or haangi, in which food was cooked, was only a hole scooped in the ground, of a size proportioned to that which was to be cooked.'
Union Nut, n. a fine cabinet timber, Bosistoa sapindiformis, Ferdinand von Mueller, N.O. Rutaceae.
Unpayable, adj. not likely to pay for working; not capable of yielding a profit over working expenses. (A very rare use.)
1896. 'The Argus,' Decaisne. 26, p. 5, col. 3:
'Unpayable Lines.--The Commissioner of Railways has had a return prepared showing the results of the working of 48 lines for the year ending 30th June, 1896. Of these, 33, covering 515 miles, do not pay working expenses, and are reckoned to be the worst lines in the colony.'
Utu, n. a Maori word for 'Return, price paid, reward, ransom, satisfaction for injuries received, reply.' (Williams.) Sometimes corrupted by Englishmen into Hoot (q.v.).
1840. J. S. Polack, 'Manners and Customs of New Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 63:
'Utu or payment is invariably expected for any injustice committed, and is exacted in some shape, the sufferer feeling debased in his own opinion until he obtains satisfaction. The Utu, similar to the tapu, enters into everything connected with this people.'
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 29:
'He asserted that we should pay for the tapu; but suggested as an amendment that the utu or 'payment' should be handed to him.'
1855. G. C. Mundy, 'Our Antipodes,' p. 252:
'Utu, which may be freely translated 'blood for blood,' is with him [the Maori] a sacred necessity. It is the lex talionis carried out to the letter. The exact interpretation of the formidable little word 'Utu' is, I believe, 'payment.''
1857. C. Hursthouse, 'New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 61:
'The learned commissioner's court was instantly besieged by bands of natives vociferating for more 'utu' (payment), and threatening the settlers with the tomahawk if more 'utu' were not instantly accorded.'
1872. A. Domett, 'Ranolf,' p. 470:
'Besides that, for such shining service done, A splendid claim, he reckoned, would arise For 'utu'--compensation or reward.'
1873. H. Carleton, 'Life of Henry Williams,' p. 79:
'Blood for blood, or at least blood money, is Maori law. Better the blood of the innocent than none at all, is a recognised maxim of the Maori law of utu.'
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