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Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1375, 24 December 1910, Page 3

The Maori prophetess Merri Jlawana continues to exercise strong control over a section of the native race. Great credence is given to her alleged capabilities to cure bodily ailments. To-morrow fully six hundred visitors from all parts of the island will be assembled at Parewanui, Bulls, where Merri liawana has been tor some time. The phophetess was born on Christmas Day, and the anniversary this year will be celebrated in lavish native fashion. For this purpose large quantities of stores are in hand. It is stated that two of the native visitors have each donated £100 towards the cost of the festive gathering. The visitors are accommodated in tents, which are pitched in all directions over a large area, and a marquee is used as a meetinghouse and mess-room . A well-known Bulls Resident informed our representative that the natives are behaving in examplary fashion and peace and proper order prevails. However, keen regret was expressed at the ''hold" the prophetess has gained on her people, many of whom have been at Parawanui for some time, rand as a result many l arias have been neglected, and in numerous cases children were denied the opportunity of attending school.