PRIMITIVE MAORIS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6968, 28 January 1918, Page 4

PRIMITIVE MAORIS.

Le?d the Simple Life.

f In the Heart of the Urewera.

Inttitviewed by the Manswalu Times, Mr A. W. Rull. one of the party of Aucklnndecs who journeyed through Rua'a Bttonuhold stretching from; Wliakatane to Waimanß, a rue of 20 miles, gave «n interesting account of the natives and their primitive habitue Mt Bull said that the Maoris who 4 inhabit tbis area ate most primitive. Their face* are tattooed, even the young girls have their lips and chins ornamerited with ancient designs, and some of the old rneti are entirely tattooed, face and body. They adhere to all the ancient customs, and have implicit faith in the hereditary superstitions of their race. Many places Bre tapu, and kept sacred, while their belief in the Taipo, black devil, who comes at night, is strongly manifes ted. These Maoris belong to the Tuhoe tribe, ani many were followers of Te Koolt. The scenery is wonderful in its rugged grandeur, the overlapping ranges of hills leaking it a series of "drop scenes," the vivid red of the rata blossoms making bright splashes among the many greens. It would be impossible to traverse tbie country but for the cure-footed Maori horse, which Feriorn[iß seemingly almost impoßßible feats with amazing skill —fording river?, climbing steep banks, and picking a way through dense undergrowth to test the nerves of the best horseman. The Maoris are generous and kindly, offering what hospitality their meagre larder afforded. Wild pigs and pigeons, kumaras and corn bread were their ataple diet. In the pigeon season birda were preserved and kept for special occasions. The cooking was" done in tie open, on the stones and fern, and they lived the very primitive existence of their ancestors of sixty years ago. They still carve their canoes out of logs, tbe party inspecting one of recent construction. Many of the children had never seen a white iaan before, and kept in biding ar.d with the exception of one or twe of the men English was unknown, the guide acting as interpreter. The natives have abounding faith in their prophet, Rua; they firmly believe he can do all he said he would do. Mrjßull, who has travelled widely, and visited the various countries of Europe affording scope for adventures amidit scenic charms, states that the grandeur of this untouched country, hidden ia deep recesses among wellnigh inaccessible mountain ranges, stands alone in primitive beauty. The

Maori dwellers, too, retain the best attribute 3of their inc'etit race, unspoiled hy contict with civilisation, from wbich, wiln tbe perversity cf human nature, they seem to assimilate tbe worst traits, the combination matting, wbtit we so often find in popular tourist resorts, a product not topical, sor to be admired. Simple, kindly, and genial, they live tbeir simple l.fe away from the haunts of the pakeha, retaining iheir simple faith and ancient custcm?. In these days of wars end Btress how many will envy their aanctuary in the heart of the hills!