MAORI MEETING AT WAAHI.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8281, 11 May 1907, Page 7

MAORI MEETING AT WAAHI.

A UNIQUE SPECTACLE. HUNTLY, Tuesday. The native meeting presents a most interesting and unique sight. Round the square of the marae, which is bounded, on all sides by whares and numerous tents of all shapes, and several marquees of the largest size, squats an eager and expectant crowd of men and women, whose faces wear an expression of absorbed interest, which informs even the most casual of observers that matters of vital interest are under discussion. There they stay for hours at a stretch, moving only when cramp necessitates a change of posture, or when, as is frequently the case, those in front conceal the person of the speaker addressing the meeting. Taingakawa Mahuta and other rangitiras, however, are furnished with rough, unplaned forms. The Arawas, who arrived last Friday, prefer forms to squatting, and with the rangitiras in the opposite corner they break the uniformity of the human fringe. A table is set apart for clerks, acting under the direct orders of Mr Rawhiti, the chief secretary. Nothing disturbs the silence but the voice of the orator. Applause and -ejaculations are rare. The critical faculties are for the time suspended, the receptive powers of the mind, however, being keenly alive. Sometimes, though seldom, sentiments expressed by a speaker evoke the clapping cf hands.

The audience is a motley one. Here is a Maori ladv resplendent iu a magnificent featner cloak, there h a maiden picturesque in the coijurs of the rainbow. An aboriginal in a soft shirt, tairoas, and battered f« it hat is. beside a tribesman clad in a, frock ooat, fancy vest, and trousers a la mode, scarlet necktie, and expensive panama. The clothing « idently does not make the man or th.? woman; the tie of racial brotht-r-ioo 1 forms the bond of union connecting all. The sombre dress of most of the males, the vivid colouring ol tbe women, the brown marae, the anciently picturesque whares, tbe grotesque carving of the runaug.i, v nh the background of white teuts, r.nd to the east the withering willows, through the openings in which today the Waikato smiles —tiiese a<" elements in the picture. llere, hom morning till night, work incessantly goes on. Each tribe appears to furnish its own cooking party for tin day. From the general store thoy draw the daily rations required, take their stores to the liangi, obtain their supply of firewood from I'ie pile where a band of axemen is always at work, and are ready when the bell goes to carry it to the allotted place.

Unity, as has already been stated, is the cry of the speakers. Did they wish a simile description :>< the unanimity they desire, they have one ready to hand. Even it, v.iiile the meeting is in progress, the dinner bell goes, the audience to a man rises and goes to his particular place. Natural comma.ids ;*e more powerful than eloquence. The rangatira, or distinguished guest, wends his way to the hall and dines in European style, cups, saucers, spoons, knives, forks and table covers furnishing the table equipment. The menu consists of beef, pork, vegetables, mussels, pipis, potatoes, and kumaras. Biscuits and baker's bread, with factory butter, is in generous supply, and "digestion waits on appetite." Evening is given up to enjoyment, especially among the younger members, the hall being crowded with dancers—"gentlemen Is 6d, ladies free." The nightly proceeds ar.< about £9, so that the hall is taxed to its fullest capacity. At intervals the notes of the brass band are he ird above the general din, which must disturb in some degree the deliberations. of the committees. The Lfhaviour generally is excellent, neither rowdyism nor larrildrnsm being apparent. A great many natives have left for their homes, their places b§ing taken by new arrivals, not so humerous, however, as the departures.