ROMANTIC MARRIAGE OF A EUROPEAN WOMAN WITH A MAORI.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 88, 22 May 1877, Page 3

ROMANTIC MARRIAGE OF A EUROPEAN WOMAN WITH A MAORI.

The marriage of European men with Maori women is so frequent, that the announcement of such an event would not be likely to cause much remark ; bnt the marriage of an intelligent fairly Educated European woman, possessed of no small amount of personal attractions, with a Maori, is an event which does not often occur, and which conseqently demands such an exceptional notice as would be given in England to a "marriage in high life.' Such an union took place in Auckland recently, at the Registrar's office. The happy bridegroom is Sydney Taiwhanga, aged

43, a, resident in Kaikohe, a settlement at the Bay of Islands and the bride is Sarah Moran, a widow, thirty years of age. The bride is a comparatively new colonist, having been only, about six months in New Zealand, She is, we learn, the mother of four children by her first husband, who died during the voyage to New Zealand, but what her occupation has been since her arrival in Auckland, we have been unable to learn further than that it has been respectable. She is a woman of prepossessing appearance, modest in her manner, and intelligent to a degree. The bridegroom, Sydney Taiwhanga, is somewhat of a personage. He gives his occupation as that Of a { surveyor,' and can well lay sonic title to the profession, for he was one of the number of cadets who in the early history of the province, fouud employment in the survey department as a cadet. Here he acquired a good knowledge of the English language, as well as of European customs. He has not followed this profession to any great extent, but his abilities as an interpreter have been recognized, and he has frequently rendered himself useful, not only to the Government, but to individuals requiring his services. He is, at present a sort of political agent employed as occasion is found for his services, but in his own right he is said to be a man of considerable property in land. His ostensible mission to Auckland on this occasion was to interview the hon. Dr. Pollen in reference to certain native claims in the district in which he resides. In this interview he was accompanied by a number of other natives of the same district, but after receiving his answer he contrived to get rid of his companions by shipping them off while he remained behind. Scarcely had they departed when he carried into execution his matrimonial views. Sydney Taiwhanga, like other men of reflection, has a hobby, and his hobby is by no means a rough one. He entertains an idea that the present mode of education with respect to Maori children is a fallacy, and he proposes an improvement. His idea is, that if Maoris are to be brought up to the knowledge of the English language and English literature, the mere fact of their attending public schools where the English language is taught is not sufficient for the purpose. He proposes that Maori children should be taken from their parents into a school—provided by the Government of course—as soon as possible associated there with children only, and accustomed only to the English language. If their tender age requires it their mothers might be permitted to nurse and suckle them at intervals, but their association with Maori playmates must be interdicted. Dr. Johnson said that if a Scotchman was to be taught the English language correctly he must be taught young. Taiwhanga wants to. improve on the great lexicographer, and catch the Maoris while babies. It so happens that Taiwhanga has a fair proportion of offspring of the native race of his own—seven we understand—and besides he has adopted two European orphan children. With this material he has started a school on his favourite system, and avers that it has been more effective than the education system which is pursued in the common schools established by the Government In pursuing this experiment Taiwhanga has incurred certain liabilities at stores and other places, which he either is uuable or disinclined to meet, and one of his missions to the Government was to induce the hon. Dr Pollen, on behalf of the Government to take over this liability. We are sorry to say that Dr. Pollen, who has never been accused of being a philanthropist and who has no sympathy with philanthropists, declined to liquidate these little bills. The marriage of the happy couple was witnessed in due form by William Puatuat, a Maori rangitira, residing in the Bay of Islands. The bridegroom found his troubles commenced almost as soon as the marriage ceremony was performed. He of course wished to spent a honeymoon with his bride, and for this purpose sought lodgings, but his first application for accommodation for himself and wife was met with blankrefusal. Taiwhanga at last bethought himself of his marriage certificate, which had the effect of open ' sesame' in the old story. It is to be hoped that this couple, who have now been joined together, will, with their already large family of thirteen, enjoy a happy and contented life, and that this instance of miscegenation in New Zealand will prove beneficial to both races . —N.Z. Herald.