NATIVE MEETING AT MIRANDA

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11040, 18 April 1899, Page 6

NATIVE MEETING AT MIRANDA

A vert largo meeting of natives has just been held here (writes our Miranda correspondent), for which our local natives have been busily preparing tor the last two months. The occasion was a tangi in memory of the Ngatipaos chief Pokai, who died about 12 months ago, and a talk over general matters by a few ol the tribes he was connected with. Mahuta, their king—for whom extra preparations were made—was expected to be present, hut on Saturday, the Bth inst., they were informed by telegram that sickness would prevent him being with them. However, he was represented by his son, Teripi Mahuta. his brother Tetetawhio, and two of his chiefs. To Wharakura and Tihirahi, who, with about 200 men and women, led by three brass bands, all on horseback, arrived here on Sunday, April 9, about noon, and as they nearetl the settlement played a selection if Moody and Sankey's and other music in a manner that reflects great credit on Bandmaster Bachelor, their teacher and leader. As they approached the native settlement they were met by a local tin whistle and drum band of youths, and a number of girls dressed in white, who played and chanted a monotonous dirge over and over for aquarter of an hour, every now and again making a halt and bowing to a flag which a man standing in front, and facing them, held and waved. This band has been got tip and the words and music composed by a tohunga named To Warapapa, who goes about from settlement to settlement periodically with a host of followers. There was less nose-rubbing than I have seen on former occasions. As the people had lwon gathering (mm all quarters for a week previous, there wero now on the ground upwards of 600 individuals, 90 per cent, of whom were guests. After a few speeches of congratulation and welcome, the guests sat down to a sumptuous lunch of roast beef and pork, boiled puddings, tarts, and many other good things, served on real dclphware— en flax baskets, as of yor. . The whole was laid out on the grass on clean white tablecloths. Everything was carried out in a very orderly manner. There were butchers, who killed the bullocks; bakers, for the bread; pastrycooks, who made the pastry: firewood-get-tor?, and firewood-breakers, potato and kit-mara-cleanrrs, firemen, dish-washers and waiters, each had his part and did it. After dinner a few speeches were made, anil then music and dancing took place, and was kept up till mno p.m.. with an interval lor tea at sundown. By ten p.m. all were snuglyrolled in their blankets in the wham and tents. Monday was occupied in sneeches music, small hakas. ami dancing, and wound up by dancing till two o'clock next morning Tuesday was „ repetition of Monday's proceedings with „ talk about a great meeting to he held at the king's palace Wahi about the end of the month or early in May, a which the Governor is c\pected (o to presold. Wodiesday ra occupied in musical selections by the band, anil farewell speeches (ill about three p.m.. when m ,, „ f «l? grtesb mounted their steeds and loft for Manmlajiin. "'l'.'r'"" for home. Besides tho Waikato chief, mentioned above there were representing the NVnipaoa tribe Tukua loruroha and Kupenra T.waoroa: for || 10 Ngatiwhauaunga tribe, Wircini! To Aramoain; our local chiefs being Tiwai and Ngakili. I observed that there Wo very lew children amonirst them in comparison to what used to be 30 years ago. but, to mak. up for this, I noticed they have got a few white children they say they have adopted