ROTORUA NEWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 July 1927, Page 10

ROTORUA NEWS

A picturesque Maori festival, attended by upwards of 500 visiting natives, is in progress at the Ohinemutu pa. The festival marks the halfyearly celebration of Te Ringa Tu, the church founded 60 years ago by the notorious warrior chief Te Kooti. The religu n affected by the sect is a curious blending of Old Testamont teaching and Maori ritual and tradition. and has been officially recognised by the State, sanction for the performance of the rites of marriage and baptism having been granted. Led by a vestured bishop, the celebrations at the pah alternate between boisterous displays of mirth and the solemnities attending the commemoration of those who have died in the intervening six. months. The liturgy employed in-* eludes chants, prayers, waiatas, and speeches; vows of consecration are taken with uplifted hand, the symbol that distinguishes the sect. The festival will last several days, and derives importance from the fact that it is a link associating the presentday Maori with much that was noblest in the race in its earlier history. Proceedings were taken at the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, Mr. W. G. K. Kewick, S.M., presiding, against Harry Chase, cf the Chase Motor Service, charging him that on June 14 he did tout for business in a public place, namely Tutanekai Street, in direct contravention of the borough by-law that prohibits the public solicitation of custom or patronage. Mr. T. G. Blakely, traffic inspector (Mr. Burton), prosecuted on behalf of the borough council. Mr. Burton applied for an adjournment until July 20, and no objection being stated, the magistrate granted the application.