MAORI LEGENDS.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 2, 6 July 1894, Page 2

MAORI LEGENDS.

We have made arrangements with one who is thoroughly conversant with Maori maimers and customs to write b series of Maori legends, which will no doubt be, read with interest by all, but more especially by those who only know the Maori of to-day as he is seen mixing with Europeans, imitating their manners and customs, and dressed in accordance with nineteenth century civilization. This district has a very historic past, as it was the seat and hotbed of rebellion during the war times, now happily past. The last movement in the Maori question was enacted at Parihaka, which place is distant eleven miles from here as the crow flies, when thousands of Maoris assembled there infatuated with the prophecies of Te Whiti, who had promised that the time was approaching for the Maoris to again assume possession of the land and have their mana restored. How that movement was nipped in the bud by the decisive action of the Hon John Bryce is matter of history and consequently need not be recapitulated. Though the legends will deal with ancient ideas of the Maoris it must not be thought that belief in them at the present day is all exploded, as such matters ingraiued in a people die hard. The first article on the subject by " Kuru " will bo found ou our fourth page of this iss,tie. >