Poverty Bay Herald.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7138, 21 November 1894, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald.

PUBLISHED EVERY EVEN IN 9 OIBBORNB, WKDNKhDAY, NOVEMBER 31, IMM BAMOAN MYTHOL'KJY. Likk nearly nil semi-civilised race* the Satuoani have ideee m to the creation of material thing* which are more or ltee poetical. A recent paper laid ou the table of tbe House of Representative* contain* • mo«t iuttreiting aoooant of ftMwn*, or the Navigator Wanda. First at to the orifin of the mm. Tbe tradition moet genenllj acoepUd w that long

ago the Rocks married the Earth, and a child was born which was named Moa, meaning the oentre of the earth. Salevso, i the god of the rocks, want to get wator with which to wash the child, and made the wator thereafter sacred, or $a to Moa. After the operation both Kockaand Earth demanded Rome of the water to drink. which Salerao agrwd to give if they could get a bamboo to convey it by. Hence aroae ipriPK" and it ream*. Salerno then rrfttitformud himself into laoao atones, and declared that everything which grew, aa well m the rocks and earth, ahould be ■ icred to Mim— $n-vi-tnoa subsequently abbreviated to Samoa. If thia tradition INMMcaeefl an interesting originality, no lea* do the attempts of the Samoana to explain the origin of matter and creation of man. The prevailing belief is that the basis of the material universe wae (fret, or nothing. Out of this were evolved in succession manamu, fragrance ; tfuefu, dost ; Joa, perceivable things ; mom. obtainable things ; eiufe, earth ; jraonru, high rocka ; mooloanoa, email atonee ; and maunga, mountains. It ie ourioos to notice that, according to this aocoont, "duat" waa made before the "earth," and ao far there dnea one appear to be any provision made for water. A m%rri%tobetween the high rockiand the earth- roe ka produoed the earth— which is a decided novelty in the explanation of world making. Clouda were the issue of an uoionMtwten the earth and the wind*, while dew. ahadow, daylight, twilight, and othera were evolved frt>m other sooeeasive uniotia. The eon moat su/ely feel hurt at being entirely dieearded in the Samoao •yatem ! Man waa the reault of oertain unions whence came Tang«lna (the creation of man) and from him spriugs a long list of chiefs, from whom wae descended Banea, who wae tbe foooder of the Malietoa dynaaty. tbe twenty-third generation of which ie represented by Malietoa, the recognised King of Bamoa. There is another tradition which places Tangaloa originally in space, where be first made the heavens and then the earth. Once he sent his daughter to earth in the form of the bird tvxi U kind of anipe) but aha could find nothing but ocean ; he aent her forth again, and aha fuand land ; he scut her a third time with some earth and a creeping plant which at Bret grew, then its leave* withered, then it swarmed with worms, which gradually became men and women. From thia it will be eeen that the Samoans in the past may have bad a distinct religion of their own. The Samoana had both general gods snd domestic gods, or tutelary deities, and believed in some kind of future atate. They not only made offerings to their gods, but their worship waa a severe, even a alaviah one, which the cunning of their priest* made as extravagant as possible. They had civil laws, and though unwritten, they were well understood. Cannibalism, though not practised within Kuropean memory, appears to have been the custom in tbe distant past. Tbe custom, however, does not seem to have been indulged for the love of human flesh — ss used to be the case with tbe Fijiana —but as a climax of hatred and revenge, after a victorious encounter with a hostile tribe. It would be impossible to offer a greater insult to a Samoan than to threaten to mast him. Tbe women are not Uttoed, but the men were pwtorially decorated in an elaborate fashion. The reason given for this arrangement is amusing. It is said that Taela and Tila (the goddesses of tattoo) once swam from Fiji in order to teach the Bamoana the craft, and they were ordered to aing all the way, that they might not forget tbeir mission — ** Tattoo the women, but not the men." The way was long, snd the water cold, so tbsy got " mixed, " sud arrived in Samoa singing -" Tattoo tbt men, but not the women." This mistake made all the difference) in Bamoan life, fur it became the rule that no young man was considered to have obtained his majority, or to be entitled to common righta and privileges, until he bad been tatfcioed. The proosas was tedious and painful, and although still practised to sums extent, is dying sway with tbe introduction of European clothing. The man, indeed, are glad to evade tbe painful operation, aeeing that its results oan no longer make them dietingutabed in the eyes of ail observer*. Owners aad traiaers are reminded the nominations for tbe Wserengs^ahika Jockey Club a Boiiog Day meeting cloer) oa Saturday next 34th iast. at 9 p.m. |at Masonic Howl. A gentleman who travelled oa tbe Wainrap* on one of her last trips along tbe coast ■utea that between Wellington and Lyttelton. the meather being focgy, tbe vessel was ! twi<-« anchored and the foghorn and ship's Ml frequently sounded. Wbeo tbe anchor wm weighed the vessel simply crawled along. " feeling her way" throogb tbe mist, aad tiimllv, when tbe fog lifted, it wa* seen bow needful iheae precaution* were, for tbe cliff* near Lytteltoo heads were straight in front. This little bit of information is interesting as showing the precaution usually taken by Oapt. Me in tosh ia oaae of log. Tbe schooner Spray, owned by Messrs Skeetand Hal), la making a loog passage from G laboroe to Mercury Bay. bbe sailed from thia port oa October 90th, and waa reported by ths t.t. Dtogadse to have been seen off the East Cape on November 9th, in company with the ketch Venus and schooner Marmion. Tbe Marmioo arrived at Auckland a week ago, and tbe Venoa baa reached Mercury Bay, been loaded with timber aad sailed again. The Bpray has not yet arrived, and naturally some anxiety la felt regarding her. Tbe Spray was to bring tbe second consignment of Umber for tbe Gktbome Courthouse. Ooeof tbe saJ oases arising out of the wreck of ths Wairarapt ia that of Ur. Harris, who with his wife aod eon waa coming to New Zealand with a view of settling at Wellington, where the doctor intended to commenoe tbe practice of his profession. In the wreck he lost £100 in gold, which he had with him, about £900 worth of medical Instramenu, a quantity of silver plate, and complete outfit, estimated at £200. He landed in Auckland penniless, and is left to face the world afresh, and renew the struggle for existence, in the decline of life. Mr H. D. Doda, one of the best known settlors of ths Waimata Valley, died last evening at the HoapiuL Mr Doda, who came to ths colony some seven years ago for the benefit of his health, was ssfferiog from weak longs, aod last winter b« had a severe stuck of ioflueoaa, from the effect* of which he had never properly recovered, aod which left a brain malady that ultimately became the immediate cause of death. For tbe last four weeks be had been staying at tbe Hospital, in order to receive the attention of Dr. Inns*. The deceased gentleman waa a native of Haddington, Sootlaad. He was twice out in India, a resident there, aod afterwards settled down in business in Manchester, finally coming out to New Zealand and taking op ths property ia the Waimata Valley, which be has named Linburn. He was bsld in esteem by a wide circle of friends, and much sympathy will be expressed with his widow, who is greatly beloved by tbe people of tbe Waimata, aod all who know her. Mr Dods leaves a family of three sons and three daughters. His brother, Mr J. Dods, is also a reaideat of Povorty Bay, To-morrow morning at II Mr C Dean Pitt commences a sals of Japanese fancy goods, which have been oa view to-day and have attracted ths attention of a Urge number of Udiss. There are over 400 lots, so that bidding will need to be spirited to enable the auctioneer to get through the whole consignment in one day, as be means to do, selling tbe whole without reserve. The goods are an improvement on tbe class of Japanese wares usually imported, aed inoUde a number of high class art objects in tbe sbape of painted and embroidered screens, porcelain articles, lacquered and metal ware. eto. There is a large quantity of useful basket aod bamboo ware aad a number of window bliods and verandah screens. Tbeebildrea are not forgotten for ths ooUactioa includes a lot of quatat Japanese toys. Mr Fit* aawdnases a big sals.

It is understood that the Bithops of Salisbury, Wellington, and NeUoo wilf be premdl at Napier Cathedral on January 20th, when the Yen. Archdeacon W. L Williams is to be consecrated Bishop of WaUpu.

A subscription of 4* has Wo received from R. and 0. Good for the Wairarapa relief fund. The amount received at this office now sUoda at £88 8« 6d, of which £50 hM bees forwarded to Anck tad. Th« balance we propose sending on to- morrow. The Manawata Time* says : -Several parties have decided to proepect the TsreraM this mmoo from ihe Wairarapa aide, and no* party art ooo6deol that there is "gold in the mountains," and have e*ery chance of meeting with •ucceee. The North Otag© Times hear* that the Government have arranged for the parcbaee of 1000 acres of the Ardgowaa Estate for settlement porposm The probable price has been mentioned, and i( the information giveo is oorrect it will be the best bargain the Government have made in land purchases. la tae Mastertoo Magistrate's Court Mr T. Hutchison, 8 M . fined a publican £5 for exposing Uqoors for sale on Buaday. On a seooad charge *• beld that a lodger had no power, under section 156 of the Act, to " about " indiscriminately for all and sundry, aod altboof h the drinks were paid for by s lf,dger be oonviHed the liotoeoe and fined bin £1. A fearful occurrence took place at Zacatsoaa, in Mexico, at a ball fight, oa s recent Sunday. A ball which had been goaded to madness was quicker thaa the matador, aod gored the man to death The beast then leaped over the barrier among the excited aadieoce. The picadors and attendants were powerless to help the panicstricken p*ople, sad before the ball was fatally stabbed three persons had been gored to death. In the terrified scramble to escape a large number of people were injured, some to severely that death is expected. The) first tennis tournament ef to* season ootnmeooes this week at the Club's coorts, when gentlemen's handicap singles will be played. The following art the entries with handicaps: -A. Kykes no ) 15 t. H. O. Wataoo aer and rec 1 bisque ; 8. McLerooo owe 15 v. 1) K. Porter scr aad rec 1 bisque ; Harold Lysaar r*c ( 15 aad 1 bisque v. J. Levsrsedge rec \ I '> ; F. Mueller scr aod rec 1 bisque v. O. Staite owe | .10 ;E. H Mann owe i 15 v. T. Colemaa rec 15 aod 2 bisques ; A. W Res* owe 90 and roc 2 bisques v. R. J. Chrisp owe | 15 ; G Crawford scr v. A. Foster rec 15 sad 2 bisques ; G. Giant owe | 15 v. J. & Brifham rec 15 aad 1 bisque. Late papers from Boatb Africa announce that a humorous tare of affaire baa arisen in Matabololand. The married womoo, oace so dutiful aad submissive, have rebelled against their lords because the latter tamed their backs io battle, *ad there is trouble in MaUbelelaad. Gold prospootiag io the newlyacquired country has not proved of much value. The most promising field is at Goelo aod Load rivers. It is without doubt that the surifsrous coootry there, has bees fossicked by natives at least a century ago, aad their primitive mining appliances are still to bo found oa the ground. The Balletia says :— The good old copy book tSeory that sucosas is the reward not of lock bat of perseverance, industry, aad genius, gets some bard knocks now aad than. James Manro. ex Premier, ex AgentGeooral, and sxpaper millionaire, bow potUrs away io a little wooden oAoe io a Mcl bourne suburb sslliag £10 allotments aad letting ,foorroomed wooden onffrges. He probably works harder than be ever did before, aad he has all the brain be erer bad, which isn't much, bat it dors him no good His lack is gooe, and it was all be bad to depend on. Matthew Dtvies v a rather smell and Tory ordiaary solicitor now, and from present appearances be will be a smaller and even mot* ordiaary solicitor by-aod-bye. Mr Rnaxelle, the popular entertainer, it responsible for the following good story : — I was placing my advertisement in a Melbourne daily newspaper offioe oo* day, when a tall lanky countryman walked in and said he wanUd an " la If omonam " ootios in tae obituary eolumo el the paper. "Me ole riv'oor died a year a*o," bo explained, and I should like to have a bit of poetry in the paper about him " " All right," said the clerk, " h»ve you broagbt it with too r •• No," said the rustic ; "can't you fix me ■pa bit?" " Certainly." replied toe dork ; •* our ebarjr* for •Io M emoriam ' aotioss ie 5s so inch." A look of intense anussmeot Ked over tae roaatrymaas face. " Great yens." he cried, as be made for the door. " I oao't afford that ; say guv'aor was six foot high I" Bays a London oor respondent :— " I menUoaod to yoasoms Urns ago that several shipowners were coolomplatlag the Yemarkable Btlicy of traaaf erring their fUsts to the orwegiao fiag, io order to avoid the tyranny of trades aaioniom and over-legislation. It has transpired this week that this stop is likely to do takes upon a large scale, and a newspaper discussion has been started apse tae consequences of soch a stop aad the oeooseUy of preventing it by legislation. The oausee of dUcoasflat uln oat of rcstrtotlons as to loading, as to life-savins: appliances, equipment, aad inspect too. Legistslion ie alao threatened to secure a scale of meaning, to indodesssmefi in the Kmployers Liability Act, to secure greater cubic space io the foreoastU, a higher dietary, and many kinds of inspections. None of these inter - ferencee affect foreign snips, competing in our own ports — aad banco the project to transfer tradiag vessels to a foreign flag. Last week the homing pigeon Aoraagi reached iv loft ia Duaedin, having flown from Mr Malcolm Rosa's oamp on Mount Cook. MOOfl above oaa level, a distaaos of 160 miles, bearing the following measace addressed to Mrs Malcolm Ross :-" We reached here In good time with heavy swags. While two pitched teat, etc , at an altitude of about 8000 ft., the third cut steps up to the Glacier Dome to help oa the following day. That night came on a terrible thunderstorm, which raged for 40 boars, and the tent had to be rased to the ground to prevent iv being blown down Cnoloir 9000 ft. into Hoehstetter Glacier below. The lightning was Tory vivid and dose, some flashes like balls of fire being followed by terrific peals of thunder, which snook the ar&e oo which we were camped. Afterwards the tent was pitched again, bat the storm continuing, it became froxeo to the rocks. Biaos then there has been a heavy nil of snow, and it will not be aafs to move for a few days. All are well aad io good spirits, but owing to the fresh snow it will be impossible t« scale Mount Cook. Before the storm oame oo we were certain of making the ascent, and even now it would only be a question of waiting some days ; but as our time is up, we return I by first opportunity."