THE DOINGS AT WHAKATO.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 424, 4 March 1890, Page 3

THE DOINGS AT WHAKATO.

[BX OCB PPLCIAL ] Ths enormous gathering of natives at Wbaketo, Te Aral, invests the new church there with an interest far beyond what would be created by the building itself. The large number of native? congregated there includes many from Napier on the one side and Opotiki on the other. I took a ride out on Saturday morning, when I thought I would have the beet chance of seeing the full force of the natives. It was popularly understood there was to be a “ big ” day, but when the big day was to be it was impossible to discover, the natives evidently thinking that every day was the big day. At any rate the ground presented a busy sight when I arrived about noon on Saturday. Just opposite the gate there was a booth in which I discovered —for somebody elae's information of course — that only temperance refreshments were dispensed, and entering the grounds (the appearance of which is not improved by a splendid crop of thistles) I observed another booth presided over by Mr D. E. Smith. But when I got a little further the idea struck me that the natives were very intemperate in their partiality for temperance booths for there was yet another staring me in the face, Mr Kirke having charge of that one.

BOUND THS CAMP.

Hearing the vigorous clanging of a bell, manipulated by a small dark-complexioned boy assisted by numerous other dark-com-filexioned but ball-less small boys, I was ed to believe that there were some gay ■ports on, and hastily tying my horse up I rushed forward to see the fun of the fair. To my dismay I discovered that there was nothing more harmless than a bran new tin basin, set upon a wash table, and presided over by Wi Pere, supported on his right and left with other individuals of a leas dignified comportment. A good crowd bad collected round and were gaping at the silver in the dish. It appears that all and sundry were Invited to make contributions to the oott of the oburc» and it was interesting to watch all sorts and sia»s of people conxtributing in all sorts and Bias* of coin, some 9of the more affluent contributing in notes. I noticed opposite some names a* much ae £4O. A sweet young native damsel who could speak good English subsequently volunteered the information that the tin dish represented the Maori Bank. There were very faw Europeans about at this early period, but I struck in with one of Her Majesty's representatives, and wo strolled round together. Sotm-how the natives all seemed quite distant in their manners, and instead ct tbe usual hospitable reply to one's “ tenakoe,” they would only grunt out a sort of welcome. Indeed there wars two exceptions, a clever young fellow, hot unknown in a Gisborne Police Court, being verv cordial in welcoming us, and also the old man who was ths oth«r day acquitted at tbe Supreme Court on a charge of forgery. I Mali not understand it at all, until one Maori woman, more outspoken than the rest, asked point blank who it was my companion in blue was after. Then the truth dawned on me—they thought my companion wanted to make an arrest, and that I was quizsing round just to point out the man. I then took oars that tbs impression should be removed, and a wonderful difference was soon apparent in my reception. THS XUtiBUl or THOSX ■ FBBSXWT. It was a very difficult thing to ascertain What was about the number of natives present. At first sight there appeared to be no more than a few hundreds, but on going round the tents it could be seen there was hardly one which did not contain natives lolling in the blankets. None of ths natives themselves pould give mo the least idea of the number, but my own calculation was twelve hundred. Subsequently I saw Mr Carroll end he said ha thought there must have been sixteen hundred natives there, so many of them being out of sight. About seventy of them, he told me, had to leave for home on tbe previous evening, on account of business matters Things were rather flat from a European's point of view, tbe business at the Bank having considerably slackened, but a rush towards fhe centre of tbe ground was considered evidence that something unusual was to take place. The pakebas were increasing in number, and all were anxious to know when tbe haka would take place. Some natives Mid one, others at two, and some would have [ it that it was to be at three; but my old friend Hapi Kiniha was really amusing, fot his reply was, “ Oh, any time 1” When the rush took place, however, this was taken as A BICXAL FOB THE HAKA.

Everyor' tried his or her best to get into a position th*; would give a good view of the proceedings. A well dressed gentleman, crowned with a white belltopper seemed par ticnlarly anxious to get a good place and sitting down inside the circle shortly found himself in close company with many Maori ladies and their picaninnies, who had also discovered that there was no charge for sitting down. But the affair proved a sell, for after a little chant a person who was described to me as the clerk made a speech from the Bank site He invited the chiefs to come forward with tbeir donations which would be duly recorded in the pukapuka. Wi Pere still acted as Treasurer, and an elderly Maori took the duties of whip, another individual keeping a duplicate of the account. The first circle had of course been broken up. a larger circle being

formed. Then a tall slim chief, of polished manners, and looking quite spruce with a long silk dust-coat, commanded tbe attention of the multitude while he gave his opinion on the subject. After prancing about like a dancing master of the old school, and speaking in measured tones which proved him a finished Maori orator, be gracefully ambled up to the Bank, flourishing a roll of notes. After safely depositing them in charge of the manager he retired, and than another tall silk-coated but broad chuted gentleman took up the running. Imitating, though not so gracefully, tbe actions of No. 1, but being very liberal with his" money. By way of a change, a aged lady triumphantly tripped along, care to give the fullest effect to force of example, and contributed some liound notes. However, the actions of one ntelllgsnt looking young fellow were the most interesting. He commenced in e

bantering style, chiding them for not having hiked the tribe he represented to contribute something towards the church. Although I had little understanding of the language I could thoroughly appreciate the style in which that young fellow twitted bis brethren, his gestures being so perfect that anyone who bad some knowledge of elocution could not help admiring his action even if they did not clearly understand the meaning of the words, When be sat down without giving anything there was a murmur of disapprobation, but ha immediately rose again and continued to act his part. One of hie friends had fixed some notes on to the end of a stick, which the young fellow brought forward, placed in the ground, and with a light shillelagh in his hand, laughingly dared the bankers to come and take the money, The old Benk lieutenant Went forward, being too dull to see the joke, but he thought it diaereet to do no more than say “ Homai.” After tantalising them lor a few seconds longer, the money was

baud Ad ram Tins. At two o’oloek there were loud oriel of •« Tinah I Tinah I ” and ae I wanted to get Into town again I rode off, but I returned about 4.dot to find that « tinah ” was not yet OTer. A' large number of European* had gone SUt during the aftemon, and those who oared to join in were hoapicabiy entertained. It WM very amusing to Watch the progreia of the tne *• Utopian n style being copied as as po|sibis— or a* the natives thought poiiifeU— and tbs abnormal appetites of the natives enabling them to do lion's service at the long wooden tablet Thera were innumerable waiters and and everything was dona with the u humor, fair English being freely ! did not leave until after five, but the feasting k ad not Quite terminated than. 01KBRAL INCIDSNTB. The general public were not allowed to view tbe sharoh an Saturday, though exceptions were made. Mr J oat ice Gonolly, aooompanied by Mr Booth, drove out in the IDornina, They were shown through the nhurch by the Ven, Archdeacon Williams, and left again in about half an hoor’e time, after having a general took round. The Maoris seemsd to have a mat respect tor Mr Booth, > but amid tee nothing more in Judge Gonolly Um la i&y giber European, Some Ufiiei,

by a little gpntle persuasion, also succeeded in getting admitted to the church building, but it was strictly tabooed to the general public. A baka wan performed during the afternoon and later on Sydney Taiwhanga, Ehikoa, addressed the native?, giving them an elaborate account of his work during the recent session. Sydney had at hand a bnx full of documents, many of which he exhibited to the admiring crowd assembled. Occasionally there was an explosion of applause which seemed to much gratify the orator, but if I am tbe least judge of character I opine that the natives admired Sydney more for the fun be gave them than on account of his extraordinary abilities. For the evening I was told there had been a boxing match arranged, the entrance fee to which was a shilling. In faet all the natives seemed to have a bit of the Jem Mace >bout them, for even the pioeanninies amused themselves with sham sparring matches.

FORMAL OPENING OF CHURCH, The church was formally opened on Sunday. The Bishop of Waiapu conducted divine service, preaching in Maori language, and being assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams and a number of .Maori ministers and students for the ministry. The church was crowded, many Europeans being present. After service the Maoris entertained the European guests in a very kindly way. The Bishop presided at table and said grace, yesterday’s incidents—the dinner—

THK HAKA. Yesterday was set down ae a special day for the Europeans, of whom there were about five hundred present, and right well were they entertained. A meeting of the Maori Church Synod was held, and a resume of the year’s woik given and religious matters generally commented on. The dinner was got up in splendid style. The long table was profusely decorated with flowers, giving things quite a refined and tasteful appearance. The tah’e was loaded with provisions of all kinds, everything bein.£ got up nicely, including some capital p*atry and plum pudding that any cook might be proud of. The serving out, ton, was done in fine style, and no one could desire better attention than was given, the waiters and waitresses being most polite and considerate. la every little detail the Maoris were very thoughtful, and the European ladies who were present were especially pleased at the kindly way in which they were treated. Toe haka was begun at about 3 in the afternoon, and proved a most entertaining affairs—a grand sight that will not bo readily forgotten by those who witnessed it. During the u«»r!ormanoe great attention was paid to the lady guests, the natives tr.} »g to accom modate them with good places, which were difficult to obtain when there was such a crush. A PEW WOBDS OF COMMENT.

X have referred to the number of temperance booths on the ground, and I may nnw add that I never before saw so large a ♦fathering at which there was so much good feeling shown, There was not a sign of the u?e of intoxicants anywhere about thf> grounds, and the Maoris fist an etimoto. which does them much credit They worked hard to entertain the guests, and were justly entitled to the very high opinion their kindness created. Many were also indeb'ad to tbe kindness of Mrs U’Ren (whose residence is in proximity to the church, and who knows moat of tbe Te Arai natives), for showing them round the points of interest and in other ways making th u m feel at ease. The meeting is now gradually breaking up, but there will probably be a large number of natives remain until Thursday. Between £2OO and £3OO was collected in aid of the church,