GIRL RESTORED TO LIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 278, 24 November 1898, Page 3

GIRL RESTORED TO LIFE.

A POWERFUL TOHUNGA.

SENSATION AT TAURANGA.

MIRACLES AMONGST THE MAORIS

TAURANGA, November 4

There is a tremendous sensation amongst the Maoris in this district over a singular incident which has occurred at Rangawaea, a native settlement inhabited by members of the Ngaiteranga tribe, situated near Tauranga, on the opposite side of the harbour from Tauranga township. It is alleged that a Maori '-tohunga' (priest, wizard, or doctor) succeeded by his occult art in restoring a dead girl to life.

The 'tohunga' who ia credited with the miracle is a Maori named Ehau, who is stated to be 'tohunga' to the Maori King, Mahutu, of Waikato.

Ehau came to Tauranga for the purpose of preventing a Maori, another tohunga, named Te Refe, who was credited with practising the 'black art,' from causing the deaths of natives by means of 'Makutu,' or witchcraft, the belief in which is very general amongst the Maoris in the Bay of Plenty district.

Ehau arrived, but in the meantime Te Rere, it is believed by the natives, had worked his mysterious wizardry, for on Monday a girl about twelve years old named Marata died at Matapihi, which is a settlement just opposite Tauranga. ,

The body of the girl was taken to Rangiwaea, which settlement is close by, for burial, on Wednesday.

On the same day (Wednesday) the Waikato 'tohunga' rode out to see the opposition tolumga, Te Rere, at his settlement, a place known as Matakana, and taxed him with causing the death of the girl Dy means of witchcraft.

Te Rere, it is stated, admitted the truth of the report that he was practising 'Makutu,' and that no had caused the death of Marata.

Ehau thereupon warned Te Rere and his wife that if any more deaths occurred through their 'mana,' or influence, they would die themselves before his (Ehau's) return to the Waikato.

Ehau then returned to Rangawaea, where the usual 'tangi' was being held over Marata's body. On entering the circle of mourners in the 'marae,' or clear space, in the centre of the village, he told +he mourners to cease their crying, as Marata would be restored to them.

He then placed his hand on the apparently dead girl's forehead, and, repeating a 'Karakia,' or incantation, he told her to rise.

To the utter astonishment of the people, the girl showed signs of life, and rose up and walked about. The Maoris were frantic with joy and surprise, and are showering presents on Ehau.

Marata was well to-day, and is walking about. She says she has been to Te Reinga, the Maori term for the hereafter, or heaven.

The natives all through the district are much excited by the affair, and Ehau has attained great 'mana' in consequence. The fact of Te Rere having acknowledged that he bewitched the girl is explained by the fact that he no doubt fully believes in his powers of magic, and is convinced that by incantations he can bring about Ihe deaths of those with whom he is unfriendly.

A few years ago a another notable instance of the popular belief in the powers of 'makutu' occurred here. A native, who was a reputed magican, sued another in the Magistrate's Court for damages for asserting that he (the plaintiff) had caused the death of a certain girl by means of witchcraft. The plaintiff said that through these assertions being made his life was in danger. A number of Maori 'doctors' are practising in the Bay of Plenty district, their principal stock-in-trade being mysterious 'karakia' (incantations), but so far Ehau is the only one known who has raised the dead to life.

No doubt, however, the girl was not dead, but merely in a state of suspended animation, or in. a trance.