Te Kooti-ism.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 57, 22 October 1887, Page 2

Te Kooti-ism.

Mr Bush, R.M. at Opotiki, makei the following official report t— The conduct of the Natives throughout the past year ha* been peaceful and friendly. No quarrel* have taken. place among themselves. The only disturbing element here appear* to be the fact of the adherence of a very large section of the Natives to Te Kooti’s religion, which is a source of uneasiness to those tribe* which are averse to its adoption or introduction. These latter people do not hesitate to predict trouble in the future owing to the use of this form of church service. They argue that sooner or later the Te Kooti-ites will endeavour to pres* their form of prayer* on the whole of them, when, as a matter of cour*e> those objecting will resist, and thus the two sects become involved in a quarrel. Indeed, the non-adherent* to this faith are not backward in ae- ' casing Te Kooti with instigating all kinds of sinister work, notably the murder of Nuku and his wife in the vicinity of Gisborne lately. Some say that he is responsible for that crime which was committed in consequence of what he aaid when visiting at Porangahau in the early part of the year. The worst feature about hi* form of religion is the frequent meeting* which take place alternately at the various settlements; many Native* attend, and several days are wasted on each occasion. These meeting* are evidently attractive, like other Maori gatherings, because they furnish a ready excuse for feasting and idleness, time being of little or no value to the aboriginal. These meetings are held on the twelfth day of each month. The Saturday is observed as their Sab-bath-day, the ordinary Sunday not being reverenced by this sect, which is a great grievance to those sections of Natives who adhere to the Church of England religion. These “ twelfth nights,” if I may so call them, are designated “ poa-takoto,” which, I understand;, means a fast night. It appears that the people present fast for a whole day.