TOHUNGA’S TWILIGHT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 135, 8 May 1928, Page 7

TOHUNGA’S TWILIGHT.

RATANA GOES ON TOUR

NOT INTERESTED IN POLITICS

WANGANUI, -May 7. Members of the Ratana party numbering 143, including Ratana, have returned to Wanganui from two important tours as far as the movement is concerned, one in the V airarapa, and the other to Hokianga. The Wairarapa visit was undertaken for the purpose of removing a memorial stone erected by Paora Potangaroa in 1881, and placed ip the meeting house at Te Ore Ore, Masterton. In those days the Maoris were very superstitious, and while the stone was being erected certain incantations were 'placed upon it. Underneath the stone were placed certain coins aggregating 15s lid, made up of a half sovereign, two 2s pieces, a shilling, sixpence, threepence and two pennies. The coins dated back to 1862. Underneath the foundation was a block of greenstone weighing 1501 b. This, according to tradition, was also the subject of incantations. As time went on seven tohungas bad volunteered to remove the memorial to another place, as it was felt by the descendants of Paora Potangaroa that the sickness they suffered was due to the evil tohunga influence associated with the memorial. The Ratana party arrived on April 14, and the local people and the descendants of Paora at once gave Ratana full power to remove the stone from the meeting house to a suitable plaee in the maraeA korero commenced on tjie Sunday, and with the Europeans present the strength of the gathering was brought up to 500. Ilatana's secretary voiced Ratana’s greetings to the Europeans and also gave them a review of Ratana’s mission from the inception of the movement in 1918. On the Monday Ratana and a number of young men who had assisted in erecting the temple at Ratana got to work and removed the memorial to the marae, where it was surrounded by a brick wall. The descendants of Paora then expressed their thanks for the service Ratana had rendered, and also their appreciation of the work of his mission since its inception, more particularly in his influence towards abolishing the tohunga and the endeavour to bring them back to the true Creator.

The apostles and sisters of the movement turned out in full force and helped to make the gathering in every way a great success. There were representatives of tribes present from all over the North Island, and from the South Island and Chatham Islands. VISIT TO HOKIANGA.

The Itatana party left for Hokianga on April 27, the object of the visit being the aceptance of an invitation to unveil a memorial erected to a chieftailless of that district, Ani Moananui Hare. The party landed at Hutoia, Rangialiua, on April 29, where they were met by apostles and sisters and members of the Ratana Church, wuo led the procession to the marue. Altogether, the gathering aggregated 4500, and included a large number of people who were nob in the movement. Pleasure was expressed that Ratana had accepted the invitation, and five chiefs, Te Aupouri, Ngatikahu, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi and Ngawhatu, also spoke in terms of appreciation of his work. They also handed to the visitor full authority to unveil the memorial and to conduct a meeting in the hall. Members of the Maori race who not in the movement also extended to Ratana invitations to visit their kaingas. They spoke of the work Ratana was doing in stamping out tohungas who had been the stumbling block of many of the Maori race. Altogether, the party travelled 1050 miles, and in all places visited were most hospitably received. POLITICS IN BACKGROUND.

The chiefs mentioned above also asked Ratana to express bis opinion in regard to politics and the coming election, and whether ho intended to nominate four candidates representative of the movement.

Ratana replied that he had not given the matter the least consideration. He was more concerned regarding the Maoris coming into his movement and the welding, of a strong force of Maoris believing in the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, and the faithful Angels.