A NATIVE WEDDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9824, 20 May 1895, Page 6

A NATIVE WEDDING.

A very interesting event, illustrating tho present state of the Maoris in the North and their relationships to their white neighbours, took place at tho Oromahoe native settlement, Bay of Islands, quite recently. Tho occasion was the marriage of Wi Parata, son of Wi Hokoro, to Iti Hepi, daughter of Hepi. The Rev. Matiu Kapa performed the ceremony in the pretty little native church. The bridegroom was dressed as an ordinary English gentleman. The bride, a handsome young lady, wore a dress of white brocade, trimmed with orange blossoms ; a tulle veil hung from a wreath of tho same flowers, and she carried a beautiful bouquet made by Miss Williams, of Pakaraka. Preparations had been made for a large number of guests, and as the day turned out beautifully fine there was no disappointment in this respect, both Europeans and Maoris responding to the invitation. Among tho former wore the Hon. H. Williams, M.L.C., and Mrs. Williams, Mr. Guy Williams, Mr. W. Ludbrook, and others. During the day there were a number of blasts from a trumpet to call attention to the different events, but the blast about midday called the company to a splendid dinner laid out in beautiful order in a tent erected for the occasion. The Maoris are first-rate cooks, and in their own way they prepared turkey, pork, beef, and mutton, with abundance of potatoes and kumeras, also cake and tarts. Whatever truth may have been in the remarks in the old time that the Maoris were dying out, this district now does not seem to give evidence that way. On the contrary, it was remarked at this meeting whab a number of healthy young folks and children were present. A visitor to the district will notice the well-dressed young men and women riding on the roads, and in the case (pf the young men there is very little feeling of distinction left between them and their pakeha companions, either in their games or in ordinary intercourse. The young Europeans born here use the Maori nainos without ever thinking of them as being peculiar. At the meeting referred to above the Hon. H. Williams, in responding to a toast, on behalf of himself and relatives, called attention to the want of a native school at Oromahoe.—[Own Correspondent.]