MAORI BIRTHDAY RARTY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 139, 7 March 1936, Page 25

MAORI BIRTHDAY RARTY

I spent the Christmas holidays at Taupo, and while f was there my two friends and 1 were invited to a little Maori girls third birthday party. The nigiit was very cold and stormy, so we deemed just to call in with a present and then go on to the hot mineral baths. As we came out of the gate, however, one of the little girl’s young uncles arrived in his car, offering to lead rm to the house, and saying that he was very pleased to see that we were coming. We drove ou through the rain for about a quarter’ of an hour, and then branched oft into a paddock. The child's aunt came out to meet us, a coat .flung over her head. She took us into the long, one-roomed house belonging to the grandmother, and immediately made us feel welcome. We sat on benzine boxes before a roaring fire while the grandmother (a kindly, tattooed woman), the aunt, and two girls made conversation. Occasionally they lapsed into the Maori tongue, and when they did so they hastened t 0 apologise. Gradually relations and friends arrived, and at. there were very few boxes, they seated themselves on the floor and excitedly watched rhe preparations. IL'liere was a family of other white visitors invited on this important occasion, and while we waited ror them to arrive, the meatroast mutton, roast pork, and roast fowl —was dished out. The meat and potatoes were done in Maori fashion over the embers, and were delicious. It was about eleven o'clock when we at last sat down at the long table, which was covered with crisp, white paper. Jars of gladioli were arranged at random along the table, and streamers—left over from the festivity of Christmas, we were informed—hung from the low roof. The table was weighed down with delicacies, and I have never enjoyed a meal more. It is a Maori custom that, as a «ign of respect, the Pakehas should eat first, so while we had meat and, potatoes, fruit salad and trifle, and soft drinks, the Maoris present entertained us with hakas and folk-songs. Two little boys rolled their eyes alarmingly, swayed their bodies, and used their arms so rhythmically that I watched their every movement. When we had finished we stood up and thanked them all, and one of the other white visitors made a little speech. This was replied to by a young Maori who had heightened the occasion by arriving in evening clothes. He spoke in perfect English, as most of them did, and returned thanks on behalf of the Maoris.

Then there was a whispered conversation between one of my friends and th p aunt. It appeared that they were not quite sure of the methods adopted when cutting the birthday cake, which had been made by one of the bakers. (It stood importantly ou a small raised stand, three pink candles adorning it.) My friend explained, but when they brought the little girl to cut it she was too shy, so one of her uncles helped her. After thanking them all once more, and shaking hands all round, we defined raincoats and rushed through the rain to the car, after being the guests at one of the most hospitable and delightful parties that we hud attended. — Nonnie the Gnome (15), Napier.