PERIA MANGOUI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10453, 27 May 1897, Page 6

PERIA MANGOUI.

A very pleasing ceremony took place native settlement of Peria, distant aboat 11 miles from Mangonui. This settlement «■' the home of a native chief named R.wJ,' : Wi Kaitaia, who died a short time ago. Hi $ held the position of Native Assessor' for 3 many years, and had great influence amonrit his own people. He was more European in his habits than Maori, and mixed with lSfe European friends on the most familiar termi His friends determined to erect a headstone over his grave in the native churchyard il ® Peria; and last Thursday, May 13, tWft issued invitations to their European f'riufi to attend the veiling of the tombstow i ; ' ; Mr. Houston, M.H.R., was invited to per form the ceremony. Quite a European ladies and gentlemen availed then. selves of the invitation from the natives and $ visited Peria. On approaching the gnveyudl! a solemn dirge was heard, caused by « V number of female relatives of the deceased who had assembled around the grave. The S tombstone was draped in black, it the time f! appointed Mr. Houston addressed thetufivi ', in a short speech, thanking them on behalf of £ the Europeans for the invitation to be present f that day, and expressing the hope that others would be found not only in the native settle, v ment of Peria but in other settlements (jut'f would command the esteem and respect i y the Europeans as Rakena Wi Kaitaia lud done. He had left an example for them to tfollow. He said this occasion marked u important event in the history of our colony; § that both Europeans and natives were met | together on the most friendly terms inrand h the grave of a departed friend within i : neatly-kept churchyard, and in the presence v of a native church, where, perhaps not hstt's -5; century ago, might have been the tent «j cannibal feasts. At the conclusion of the address, Mr. Houston, assisted by three natives, removed the crape, and exposed the headstone to view. At .the foot of the iton* and resting against the pedestal was a like-£ ness of deceased. Mr. William Johnston, son-in-law of deceased, acted as interpreter,'/: Mr. Leopold Busby, son of Timoti Pohipi, v addressed the natives, thanking the £tto->-peans for being present to pay a tribute & respect to their departed friend. Mining Wiremu Ihia, and King Kapa also spoke, thanking the Europeans for oeing present After the speeches were over the natives sang a dirge or song. When the ceremooy | was over Mr. William Johnston (on behtlf di g the natives of invited all the European! S present to have luncheon, which was spread in the large meeting house, after which the; .J retired, thanking the natives for their kindness and hospitality.—[Own Correspon- .- dent.] ' I'',