RIDE THE GOAT

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 July 1938, Page 5

RIDE THE GOAT

MAORI WORE SPURS Mokai is 50 miles from I’utaruru, back in the heart of the bush, a typical “timber town,’’ but progressive ami at times embarrassingly hospitable (says the Auckland “Star”). The residents are thrifty, hardworking and evidently prudent, for a strong movement to form a friendly society rapidly gained in popularity and was soon carried to fruition. The Grand Master of the Auckland district of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, Brother J. McKay, was asked to perform the necessary formalities and made the long eight-hour journey by car, accompanied by Past Grand Master Brother S. Eade and P.G.’s Brothers Hampton and Collett, members of the District Management Board. The deputy-Grand Master, Brother Bates, made the journey from Te Arolia, and Past Grand Master Neales from Morrinsville. The event was regarded as of prime importance in official quarters, due no doubt to the fact that more than 50 per cent, of the candidates for admission were Maoris, thus symobilisng the basic principles of the Order which knows not creed, race nor political colour. A good deal of curiosity had been aroused in the native mind regarding the ceremony of initiation which, in all such matters, is surrounded by secrecy. The traditional "ride the goat” story was revived, and to a certain extent seemed to assuage the native desire for information in advance, and to invest the function with that realism that intrigues and delights the Maori. No undue surprise was roused in the visiting officials when the 21 candidates were aligned for initiation -to find one regaled in riding breeches and shining, glittering spurs. The ceremony proceeded, and was nearing completion, when an interruption was caused by the arrival of another candidate immaculately dressed obviously in his Sunday best. The ceremony had to be recommenced and again carried through by the initiating officers. I EXPLANATIONS FOLLOW Following the initiations and furmall setting up of- the lodge, which- took! place in the Maori meeting house, <in| adjournment was made to the social room, where a company of nearly 153 enjoyed a pleasant social evening with carpet bowls and dancing and supper. It was there and then that explanations were forthcoming regarding the gentlemen in spurs and the late comer. The former was somewhat disappointed at having been deprived of his ‘ride on the goat,’ while the latter’s case was expained thus: “He, too, was a Maori. He had no spurs. He appeared iu dungarees and jerkin, ready for the “goat” ordeal. However, he saw his friends all arrayed in their best clothes and conjectured that he too would take the risk of spoiling his attire by contact with the hairy quadruped. So he hastened off to his home some miles distant to throw off his od clothes and don his best.

Altogether the opening of the Mokai Pa Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., was memorable. It was the only occasion when a candidate appeared for the function in riding kit ; it was the only lodge opened in a Maori pa meeting house, and is the only lodge numbering in its membership a majority of the native race, while its formation with 21 members raised the strength of Auckland district over the coveted 10,000 mark, never before attained by any friendly society district in New Zealand.