A MAORI WEDDING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 62

A MAORI WEDDING.

The author of the series of articles entitled "Through Canterbury and Otago with Bishop Harper in 1859-60," which are being published in the A.karoa Mail, relates a story in connection with the establishment of a church at a native settlement. He says : " When I came to the opening of the new church a year afterwards, I held many services in it, but the one I retain the most vivid recollection of was the marriage of Simon and Margaret. They were a plain, middle-aged couple without any standing in the tribe, but, as their marriage was the first that had ever taken place in that part of the country in accordance- with the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England, it excited the greatest public interest. Everyone followed them to the church, which was crowded to suffocation. The bride and bridegroom, were pressed so closely against the communion rails by the crowd in its eagerness to see what they were doing that they could not kneel down. When I got to that part of the service where the man has to say that he takes the woman for his wedded wife, I bent forward and said to the man, ' Repeat after me, I, Simon.' Be made no response. I tried again, 'I, Simon.' Still no response. Then the lay reader, who was standing beside m<i, interposed, and explained that it was neeesaary to repeat the words after the clergyman. To my surprise when i began once more, 'I, Simon,' not only the bridegroom (but the whole congregation joined in the repetition of the words. I put up my hand and signalled to the people to desist, but they either dad not see my hand or misunderstood my signal, and continued to repeat like «*chorus till the building rang again with the words, 'to have and to hold,' ' from this day forward,' ' for better for worse,' ' till death us do part.' The whole scene was most ludicrous, but fortunately no one present except myself seemed to sec it in any but the most serious light. The novelty of the ceremony prevented anyone realising the absurdity of a whole congregation, composed of men, women, and children, saying that they took Margaret to be their wedded wife."

The Queensland Department of Agriculture has received a cablegram from Mr Jones, the Queensland Trade Commissioner in. the East, stating that the Dominion Milling Company, Brisbane, has secured a contract for the supply of flour and fodder to the British forces at Hongkong. No details ,are given, but it is understood that the contract will run for a fair length of tinie.