MAORI MARRIAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1929, Page 3

MAORI MARRIAGES

PROCEDURE IN PROPOSALS. Some interesting sidelights on Maori etiquette in marriage, were given during the hearing of a case in the Auckland Supreme Court last week, before Mr Justice Blair. It appeared that a tribal meeting of Maoris in the Wliangarei district had been held to discuss an engagement arranged-between two members of the tribe. In the witness-box a smartly-dressed intelligent Maori showed a nice appreciation of the humorous side of the situation. “Everybody seemed to be in charge of the meeting,” he remarked in answer to Mr Singer’s question as to who was in control. “How many were present?” counsel asked. “I could not just say; it was a full kitchen,” the witness replied. He said he interviewed the girl and her father and mother about marrying the

accused, but some members ot the tribe took exception to the procedure on the ground that he had not interviewed all the girl’s relatives. “What is the etiquette when a man wants to marry a Maori; what is the custom?” asked His Honor. “Who does the proposing?” he continued, as witness seemed a little uncertain of his meaning. “I do,” came the prompt response. His Honor said that was all right iu~ this case, but what was the right way. “That is the right way, as far as I know,” said witness. “As far as the Maoris are concerned, if any person wishes to propose to another person and he knows of anyone willing to speak for him that is the way it is done.” “How many relatives have you got to see?” asked His Honor. “I have only done the game twice. This is the third time and I failed in it,” was the smiling answer. Mr Singer said that apparently all the relatives had to be consulted and he expressed curiosity to know if majority rule prevailed in these matrimonial matters. The irregular character of the meeting was further indicated by the witness when he was asked if he was one of the judges at it. “Somebody said I was,” he replied. It was not surprising to hear that no decision at all was reached by this kitchen meeting, which lasted until well after midnight.