A MAORI HUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3021, 7 February 1912, Page 3

A MAORI HUI.

LARGE GATHERING AT WAAHI. OTkom Oub Owm Corrbspondeht.l

AUCKLAND, January 30. A big Native gathering is being held aM Waahi. on the Waikato River At this meetingj as at others held at Waahi, tho light * and shades of Native life appear in vivid contrast, and surprise the visitor with their startling and appalling suddenness. Comedy and tragedy, tho sublime and tho ridiculous, pathos and childish absurdity, appear to go hand-in-iiand, and seem to hi as equally intermixed as is the hilarity accompanying tho greeting of welcome to. friends with tho weird monotonous and plaintive wailing that proceeds from the tent in whioh some dozen short-liaired. dark-ckinned women, dressed-in sombre black and with lillets of willow wreathed round their foreheads and shoulders, croon over all that remains of him who on Saturday was the stalwart, healthy-looking Whiu Himeona, a well-known and able Native, who succumbed to diabetes.

In addition to "King" Mahuta, thero are present Mr Henare Kaihau, ex M.P., Tupu Taingakawai (Mahuta's Primo Minister). Ahuriri (ex Prime Minister), and several other chiefs of note. Judging from the supply of provisions visible, a large attendance is anticipated, and shark, schnapper, tuna (eels), and flounders would appear to be on© of the principal entries on the menu. ; DR POMARE'S ELECTION.

Tho validity of Dr Pomare's election as representative of the Western Maori electorate is beinjf much His opponents aver that he is a halfraste, as he '•» the son of a halfcaste parent who belongs to Taranaki. and that, as ho Jives as a European, is to all intents and purposes a European, and as such cannot legally represent a Native constituency. 1110 fol. lowers, on tho other hand, insist that a« tho son of a full Native of the Chatham Islands and a halfcaste mother, he is throequarter Native, and as such is eligible tor a seat in Parliament They agree that on« who is three-quarters European haa no. ri»hts of succession to Native land, and Ihat by parity of reasoning such an one could not legally represent a. Native constituency in Parliament. Mr Henare Kaihau, when seen, scouted tho idea of endeavouring to unseat Dr Pomare. He said Dv Pomare fought a good fight, and aa he was favoured by tha Urge majority of the constituents, who knew all about his birth he was the legitimate member. Dr Pomare had introduced "no dirt" into the electoral fight, and it would bo most uunbecoming on his (Mr Kaihau's) part to institute undignified pro. ceedings. He had been badly beaten, and had accepted defeat in the same manly way, Dr Pomare would prove a good friend to tho Natives, who had welcomed his victory. He. therefore, -would not be a party tv> any suit, and would not form any cabal against the doctor with any or all of thai other defeated and disappointed oandidateflL