EXTRACTS FROM THE WAKA MAORI

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1896, 17 November 1874, Page 3

EXTRACTS FROM THE WAKA MAORI

Wk give (lie foliowin<r extracts from the last number of the Waha Maori:-A letter from a native at Alexandra has the following passage: -".I have a word to suy respecting this vile pet of niaukindiirdent spirits. It is not so much the drink which should be blamed as man himself, fie sees that it is a vile and dangerous thing, nevertheless he willingly embraces it-like a fluttering moth, seeing a fire, straightway it flies into it aud is consumed outright. My friends, ye who havo the conduct of nvasures for the good and well-being of the people, pour forth like water your good works upon this people who are dwindling away. Ask not the reason of their decadence, the roots of the evil are known. .Although the people are deeming, there may, nevertheless, be some meu of intelligence yet among them to forward the work of reviviGcation." Tamati Tautahi, writes a letter from Poverty Bay, urging that natives should subscribe in their districts to maintain European doctors. He says: —I am earnestly desirous that all the people should unite in the furtherance of this scheme. I know you cannot fairly say, " Oh, we are Maoris; we are poor; where have we money to subscribe? — because great numbers of you have flocked to the wailing parties on the occasions of the numerous deaths which have occurred amongst us of late, and much money is continually being spent by the relations of the deceased persons in the purchase of intoxicating drinks for the mourners. Now, my friends, large sums havo been spent in this way; byt this which I propose would not come to more than a shilling, or perhaps two shillings, each man per month. We havo received a long letter from Tuhakaraina, of Tanwhere, Waikalo. Speaking of the progress of the country, he thinks the inhabitants should uo longer be called "Pakehas" and "Maoris," but that all should be called "New Zealanders." Such a distinction he thinks has a tendency to keep up a feeling of separation and disunion between the races. All are under the same laws, and have adopted the same customs, and all eat the same kind of food; numerous schools have been established, and " all will shortly speak the same language-then why should they not be called by the same name?" With respect to the drinking habits of the people, he is of opinion that drunkards should be left to taijc their own course, as they will not be advised. We fear these propositions of our friend, Tuhakaraina, will not bear examination. He alludes in another part of liis letter to the havoc committed upon the crops by pheasants. He says " ihese birds are good eating, but very destructive to crops.' The Natives of Opape, in the district of Opotiki, inform us that they have erected a bouse to be used for the general purposes of a council-hall, a court-house, and a hostelry for strangers. The work was commenced on the 291h of June last, It is 54 feet 6 inches in length: 24 feet in width; height from floor to ridgepole, 12 feet 3 inches; height of walls 6 feet 6 inches. I here are four carved pillars supporting the ridgepole. The rafters and battens of the roof, the gable-boards, and the whole front of the house, are also carved. The walls inside are boarded with planed boards 2 feet up from the ground, aud the remaining 4 feet 6 inches are covered with ornamental work. The cost of the food consumed in connection with, the construciion of this house was £200, towards which the Resident Magistrate of the district contributed £2 on behalf of the Government. Tamihana Aperahama, of Kaipara, Auckland, informs us that in the month of September last some young people of rank, members of the iNgatiwhalua tribe, were united in the bonds of matrimony. Upwards of 100 people. sat down to a plentiful repast. After the feasting was over, William Pomare, (a $ ative minister) and some of the elders of the tribe, addressed the young people assembled on the occasion, urging them to abandon drinking " rum," and assuring them that " the fear of the lord is the beginning of knowledge." They strongly urged that the use of intoxicating liquors at funeral assemblies should be discontinued. After the addreses were over the young people commenced dancing, which was kept up till one o'clock in the morning, f amihana expresses his great admiration at the fine appearance of the dresses of the cmpany —the gentlemen wearing "white shirts and black coats, aud the ladies rejoicing in silks."