MAORI LORE
♦ At a meeting of the Wellington Maori Club on Monday evening Mr. W. W. Bird conducted the language class and gave an account of his contact with the Maoris and their aptitude for learning. He also addressed members on "Maori Religions," and spoke of the ancient cult of 10, which had been brought from overseas by the early arrivals. This was a. very exclusive cult and only members of th^ priesthood belonged to it. It was explained by the speaker that little was known about this religion by the white folk. Even among the Maoris it was seldom referred to. The speaker told of several of the more recent religions adopted by the Maori, such as Pai Mariri, Ringatu, Ratanaism, and that of Rua and his followers. He gave instances of having' been present while some of the services of these institutions were being held. Mr. H. M. Christie told the audience a number of stories relating to Cook Strait and the lands nearby. He referred to the strange habit of the famous Pelorus Jack in .-.ccompanying steamers through part of the French Pass, and to the Maori legend of Tuhi-rangi, in which a similar fish accompanied canoes into the French Pass.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19390831.2.24
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 53, 31 August 1939, Page 5
Word Count
204MAORI LORE Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 53, 31 August 1939, Page 5
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