THE PARIHAKA LEADERSHIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2043, 21 November 1907, Page 3

THE PARIHAKA LEADERSHIP.

TE AVHITI’S SON-IN-LAAV NOAIINATED. Press Association. NEAV PLYAIOUTH, Nov. 20. The Taranaki Herald’s representative wires that a mass meeting of Natives discussed for several hours the question of tlio future of. the settlement. The general opinion seemed to be in favor of Charlie AA’aitara, Te AVhiti’s son-in-law, being, placed at tho head of affairs, in preference to Willie Te AVliit.i, tlie prophet’s soil. AVaitara, udio is said to have a private income of £SOOO a year, has long had virtual control of Parihaka.

The To AVhiti tangi is now proceeding on a liugo scale, and promises to bo the most magnificent of the kind in the present generation witnessed in this province. Natives are now flocking in, and the funeral has been air ranged for Fi-iday at noon according to Alaori rites.

The body is now lying in state in a tent surrounded with emblems, .rare mats, and meres, and the Alaori women are carrying out the tangi in a truly impressive manner. Everywhere there is a demonstration of great grief, ronewed from time to time as visitors arrive, the sight being worth going miles to see. The failure of the prophet’s prophecies is a sad blow to Alaori beliefs, and some remai’kable denunciations of Te Afliiti are to be made by orators. -•

It was nob generally known till now that Te AVhiti is sole owner of the Parihalca block, and the land now becomes the property of his children. A great mass meeting was held on. Monday night to consider the appointment of a successor. _ Feeling is strongly in favor of Charlie AVaitara, deceased’s son-in-law, a very wealthy man. Te AVhiti’s son is not tolerated as a leader. Charlie AVaitara has been asked and consented to continue to manage affairs as head man of the settlement, blit will not occupy Te AVhiti’s place as prophet, with which the Natives are now done for ever. Should young Te AVhiti assert his rights as owner trouble may ensue. A very noticeable thing is tlie friendly manner in which Te AVhiti’s and Toliu’s followers are fraternising. The two factious are now perfectly reconciled, and have buried past differences in the grief that is absorbing them. It has been decided by tnc Natives that the meetings held on the seventeenth of each month be discontinued, thus ending the monthly pilgrimage. Supplies of food are now pouring into Parihalca, but no liquor. Nothing definite is known ps to (lie treasure stated to be stored in the settlement, although it is generally understood that about £25,000 in gold may now materialise, and its distribution may see interesting developments.