MAORI FETE AT PUKETERAKI

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8092, 9 January 1903, Page 1

MAORI FETE AT PUKETERAKI

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The Ist and 2nd of January, liiuo, witnessed a great display of Maori customs at l'uketeraki. The lcte was under the management of the Araileiira Native Council, whose district extends from the Waitaki to Stewart Island. Natives from all the .South Island pahs were present, also some from the North. The first day's proceedings began with the hoisting of the. Araiteura Ha,.; by MrT. Paxata, Ml U.K. for the southern Maori electorate, who was resplendent in a chief's mat, and carried a greenstone mere. When the flag was about half-mast high, it was saluted with a. volley, and on the ilag being displayed at the mast head if was named "Araiteura," the Kaikorai Baud playing "God .Save the King." A haka, led by l'oko Weka, of Moeraki, was then danced in honor of the Hag. Mr i'arata next gave an address in Maori, being interpreted for the benefit of the numerous pakehas present by Wi Re pa (N. 1.). After this address a powhiri or "welcome dance" in honor of the visitors was executed with great spirit. Other Hags unfurled were "Waipounamu," "liuhupa." (l'uketeraki tribe), and "Maririhau" •(Temuka). After a. great onslaught on the bullock and potatoes which were prepared in "hongis" or Maori ovens, and which fasted remarkably well, the afternoon was devoted to poi dances, hakas, etc. The Maori belles who performed in these exercises were from all parts of the Araiteura district, and were always applauded to the echo, the little girls being especially noticed for their splendid performance's. The training of a child in Maori fashion must have been peculiarly trying to a native mother in the old days, that is if she possessed "nerves." The yelling of the tohungas (native priests), their frightful gesticulations and gyrations, combined with the rough handling of the "child," made it clead- that one such christening would be enough for the average nipper. The "child" was finally snatched out of the woman's arms and thrown into the crowd, when it fell apart, and proved to be only a. bundle of shawls. One of tho tohungas fell and sprained'his ankle and was fixed up by l)r Gordon Macdonald. The fun was Kept up with spirit, poi dances and hakas alternating till train time, when a final charge was made on the'refreshment tents and then a move made for home, everyone seeming well pleased with the day's outing.

The site chosen for I lie fete, was ;i. beauliful wooded hollow behind the I'uketeraki mil way station, the gentle .sloping *idcs of whicli made, a splendid coign of vantage from which to view the proceedings at tin* hollow. The Kaikorai Band, under Handmaster Laidlaw, performed on both days of the fete inspiriting music which is not the least feature in any gather in;.:. The funds accruing- from the fete are to be devoted towards the improving of the sanitary conditions in the various "hapus" in tin' Araitcura. district.

The second day's performances were a-Uo well attended, but not so well as the day before. A now dance given this day was the "pcru-peru" (war dance), which excited much interest. The hakas and poi dances were repeated, and one haka- (boys), led by a bov warrior, was so well received that a vociferous encore wa.s the result, and so had to be repeated. The refreshment tents, and a tent wherein lay some beautiful specimens of "Whitau" work and rare ferns and plants, were liberally patronised. The flag "Araiteura" was designed by Mr Hamilton (Otago University). It is divided lengthways into an upper white and a lower black band. On the white upper band is shown a Maori war canoe, » warriors, etc. complete. There is also a greenstone mere on this band, which hoary tradition records the. original "Araiteura" to have been load-ed-with when she left the far aw.iy Hawaiki for the shores of Waipounamu. Tradition states that she was wrecked and that her petrified form may be seen at Shag Point. On the lower black band of the flag the word "Araiteura" is worked in white letters. The flag presents a very pretty appearance, and is a credit to the designer. Taken altogether the fete wa.s a splendid show, and I think that everyone was delighted with what was put before them. The 'Council arc to be congratulated on their enterprise in thus bringing to such a successful conclusion the Maori fete at bonny Pnkeleraki.