THE WAIRARAPA NATIVE MEETING.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 63, 17 March 1881, Page 2

THE WAIRARAPA NATIVE MEETING.

+ DESCRIPTION OF THE CAMP. (FROM OUR SPtCIAL COBBEBPONDBNT.) Tb Obk Obk, 16th March. Some description of the place at whioh this great natire meeting — the largest ever known in the provincial district — is being held may perhaps be of interest to jour readers. The Maori pah at Te Ore^ Ore, where the natives are assembled, is distant some two miles from Masterton, and is situated between the eastern bank of the Ruamahnnga River and the Alftedton Road on the Te Ore Ore Plain, nearly at the foot of a bare rough hill. The surrounding scenery is very picturesque. On ta» eastern borders of the Plain runs the Wangaehu River, with its banks covered with bush, at the back of which stretches a long range of limestone hills reaching out to the East Coast. The view in front is varied, the Ruamahunga river winding its course through the valley, with clumps of bush dotted here and there, and homesteads scattered round. At the pah the scene is a lively one. On leaving the road you enter a large open space, covered with straw, and immediately facing the large meeting-house. In the centre of this space is a lamp-post, and a little distance to the right of the lamp is a flagstaff of the orthodox pattern. Not far from this again is a notice board, upon which at the present time there are several notices of things found and lost, for the information of all concerned. On the left of the open space a number of tents are erected, in which a division of one of the tribeß dwellß. To the right is another smaller mooting house, in whioh the Otaki and Foxton natives are located. The dwelling-house of the chief of the Te Ore Ore natives— Wi •Waka— is separated from the open space by a fence. In this house was the prophet Paul, of whom you published some particulars the other day. Concerning his practice of giving money to visitors, I think Bunyan's lin«'s are not inappropriate — " There was a man, though some did count him mad, The more he gave away tho more he had." Separated from Wi Waka's houße by a fence and private road, we come to a corner surrounded by ti-tree barricades, where a large number of Maoris are staying. These natives are mostly Hauhaus, and apparently live by themselves, paying no regard to their Church-going brethren. Close by the barricade is a well and pump. The latter is elevated some feet above the top of the well, and I found on enquiry that the pipe was too long for the well, and as they had no means of cutting a piece off, they let the pump projeot overhead accordingly. Not far from the pump a small bell is erected to call the assembly together for worship, etc. The large meeting-house is a long building, measuring about 30 feet by 104 teet, and ornamented through the whole of the interior and at the entrance with carvings and paintings. Some of the carved figures are extremely well executed, the representations are exceedingly quaint, and afford indications of originality, for there certainly could never have existed in any country such ugly faces as are here delineated. The building 1 is roofed with corra* gated iron, and is lighted by a small window at the north-weßt end. It has taken about j throe years to complete, and is certainly a proof of ingennity and skill. One of the rules in force prescribes a fine of 5s for drunkenness, and the Te Ore Ore chief Wi Waka was the first to incur this fine, much to the amusement of his tribe. Early this morning Potongaroa came out from his house, and requested the natives to sing the old Maori songs. Some of the tribes obeyed, and went thron»h the performance in real Maori style. Henare Mama then said the song he would sing was well-known all over the world. He was a Protestant, and would continue bo until death removed him. He then called upon the Protestant minister to repeat the hymn. "Awake my Soul, and with the Sun. The Hauhaus then chanted their songs. Presently, Potangaroa said he would show them a miracle, upon which they all rushed out to see, and the prophet pointed to the mystical flag (referred to yesterday), and i asked them its meaning. They were all much disappointed, and at once adjourned for breakfast. During this interval one young Maori, who had a stall with sundry articles for sale, commenced operations as a" Cheap Jack," speaking English " like a book." He also got up several raffles, greatly to the amusement of the Maoris, The flag was now lowered, and several notices posted up t) the effeot that no one was to wander about with a sad heart, but to speak to the authorities if he had aught to complain of ; also, that if anyone lost anything he should go to the police, who would try to find the lost article. Large numbers of Europeans were present, and vehicles, both Pakcha and native, were doing a good trade, conveying passengers from and to Masterton. At 1.30 the talking recommenced, and tho flag was hoisted again. Piripi te Maere called upon the wise men to interpret its meaning. Afier half an hour's silence he again called for an interpretation. Urupini Puhara said he was not surprised at no one understanding the flag ; it had no voice. The men who made it bad better tell them its meaning. It' Potangaroa could work miracles, as he claimed, let him show them one, and they would believe. Several of the Maoris spoke, expressing their disbelief iv the " mystical flag" and its maker, and one of them (Wi Muhupuku) sang a song, holding both up to derision, the other natives joining in the chorus. Another speaker (Karihana) said the flag was child's play. Karanama said he did not like the white I man for one thing. When Karanama had bad clothes on, they would not speak to him at all ; and when ho had good ones on, they said, '* Too much the — flash." Many other natives spoke, but the speeches were only repetitions ot former ones. At the closo prayers were said and hymns sung, and then followed more speeches in reference to a dispute between two of the tribes over some land, and accusations of unfair dealing were made. The meeting appears to have no political significance, and friendly feeling was expressed to tte Pakehas in most cases. Some of the speakers pointed out that if they had wanted to take action to keep their lands from the white man, it should have been taken forty years ago, but nothing could be done now, the Pakehas were so numerous aud had got settled in the country. [UNITED PBKSB ASSOCIATION. | GuBTTOWtf, -This DayThe prophet at the Maori flaeeting failed to explain the devices of the flag referred to yesterday. W hen the natives assembled there were only GOO present. The whole meeting is a failure, in the Maori mind.