MAORIS HOLIDAY-MAKING
BIRTHDAY OF A PROPHET 1338. Tho Maori prophetess Merri Kawana ;continues to exercise strong control over a section of the native race. 'Great credence is given to her alleged capabilities to' cure bodily ailments. To-morrow fully six hundred visitors from all parts of the island will be assembled at Parewanui. Bulls, where Merri Kawana has been for some time. The prophetess waa ■ born on a Christmas Day, and the anniversary this year wiH be celebrated in ilavish native fashion. For .this, purpose large quantities of stores are in hand. It is stated that two of the native visitors have each donated .£IOO towards the cost of the festive gathering. Tho visitors are accommodated in tents, which are pitched in all directions over a large area, and a marquee is used as a meeting house and mess room. A well known Bulls resident informed our representative that the natives are behaving in exemplary fashion, and peace and proper order prevails. However, keen regret was expressed at the "hold" the prophetess has gained on her people, many of whom have been at Parewanui for some time, and as a result many farms have been neglected, and in numerous cases children were denied tho opportunity of attending school.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7319, 24 December 1910, Page 4
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207MAORIS HOLIDAY-MAKING New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7319, 24 December 1910, Page 4
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