The Boy Scouts.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144051, 22 March 1913, Page 4

The Boy Scouts.

isy Scoutmaster

District Commissioner. -Mr. F. G. Kimbell, liawora ; District Commander, Rev. J. A. Kempthorne. New i'ly. mouth; District Secretary, .Mr. J. J{. Sullivan; inspectors. Major - I‘. IV. Sandford ami Alcssrs. G. Sl•Cahoy ami 11. C. Baker, New Plymouth; Scoutmasters, Alessrs, J.'li. Sullivan. H. V. SrGahcy, S. D. Weller, mid Kev. G. T. Hobson (New Plymouth), IV. H. Humphrey ami J. Kennedy (liurieworx.* , N. h. Day and G. AlcUor (Wail via,/. AiOUNTAIN TREK.

Under the ruo.-.t favourable circumstances a troop ot JO Scouts, under Major Sandford and Scoutmaster Sullivan, leii at 7 o’clock this morning on a march to the mountain. They took a light eart in which to carry the luggage. The hoys are all fit and keen on the jonrpey. Parents who arc anxious for information as to the boys’ progress will find a short account m Mr. Deare's 'window to-night, and also in the Herald window. News is going to bo sent by one of Mr. James’s pigeons. The troops expects to ho hack on Monday afternoon. A thoroughly enjoyable time is looked forward to. STORY OF A .MAORI FEAST AND DOUBLE SUICIDE. (By (Fit.-Col. COSSGROVE, V.D.) The story I am about to relate was told me many years ago by an old Maori, who was well versed in all the legends of the North island Natives. "A favourite pastime, of the Maori in the ‘good times,’ was the ‘moari,’ or raving, farmed by erecting a long tailoring young tree on the side of a hi'!, on the hank of a stream, or on the edge of a cliff, A number or ropes, accord.ng to the size ol the tree, were fastened to it about a foot apart, from which the people would swing, grasping the ropes in their hands, and then running swiftly round and swinging. off into lire air over the sloping ground, river or clirf, as the case may he. Then as each person alighted, the tree, being relieved of its weight, would straighten up, throwing the remaining swingers high into the air with a jerk. Sometimes serious accidents occurred, as the relator saw on one occasion.' Several young men were practising on the ‘moari’ one day, when all dropped oft but one. The ‘moari’ straightened tip so quickly that the remaining young man flow up as if ho had been shot out of a catapult, 1 and disappeared among some pine trees. Tlie onlookers ran to look for him. hut though he was not killed, he could not bear to he touched, so many of his bones were broken. •

■‘A very sad affair 'happened in connection with one of these swings. It was one of Ike highest ever erected, and had ten ropes attached to it. ft was placed on the edge of a precipice, that overlooked a mountain torrent, which hissed and tumbled over big black boulders and rocks. No accident had crer happened here, perl nips this was because few dared to stand the awful jerk that would take place when the lower ropes were let go. “A great feast was given by the tribe at the settlement where this famous ‘inoari’ stood. ‘‘Thousand) of dried sharks/ eels, pigeons, whale-birds, weka.s, tin’s, potatoes, kuuuiras mid taro were provided, Steamed dog. too, hut this tit-hit was for the chiefs and men of high rank who were expected. There never had been such a feast before, said some, while a few croakers

grumbled—as a feast it was wild enough, hut to compare it with the old days, gone, alas! never to return, was too ridiculous. Mon in those days feasted upon their enemies; but, now Ugh! etc., etc. “Well the least wa.s attended by many hundreds of men, women, and children, who had come from far and near. Tile flax belts worn taken off and oil was well robbed into the skin of the gluttons who were to be pitted against each other from the different hapus, to enable them to swell the more and eat the greater quantity. There were no restrictions of any kind, ✓everyone was allowed to do just as he or she liked. It was a time of relaxation and pleasure. This was true happiness. On the afternoon of the day of the feast, the guests began to gather about the ‘moavi,’ and some rushed ‘will anyone show ns how the swing works? Will anyone swing?’ Then six young men and four young women, one a handsome girl named Takiri, who was betrothed to a chief named 'To Whelm, came forward, am! an old chief called out to clear away from the ‘inoari’ so that all may see. The young men were stripped to the waist, but wore short shawls, like a Highlander's kilt. ’J lie young women, were dressed in low bodices, reaching below- the waist, over which they had bright-coloured shawls, fastened round the middle by gay scarves. Te Whetn did not wish his betrothed to swing, hut she would not be deterred. At tue signal they all gave a strong pull to see if everything was safe, and the tall kauri spar trembled and quivered from top to bottom. Tahiri sang the usual chant in her clear voire, and away they whirled around and off tile brink of the precipice. Then came the cries of applause, 'Well done, well done! Look at the muscle. Well done, hold firmly,’ etc. Suddenly there was a pause in the cheering. Takiri’s shawl had given way at the waist, ami floated over the precipice, 'Takiri, Takiri,’ cried some of the women, ‘yon had hotter send Te Whetn for your .shawl. To Whetn rose and walked away to one side. As soon as the young girl had alighted, she went, upright as an arrow to her hut, dressed herself in her best, and returned. “ ‘0 Te Whetn, farewell. Do yon not understand ? I am going now" to show yon that I am brave, though I am but a girl,’ and turning to the crowd, she said, ‘I don’t care for your sneers, you women who have driven away my betrothed husband. Man the ropes!’ The young men came forward at her request and seized ' tho ropes. Then, with a loud cry, away they went, all alighting, except Takiri.

The ‘moari,’ relieved of tho weight of the men, strnigjitcned with a. spring, when at that instant tho poor girl cried with a loud voice, ‘Farewell tribe! farewell Te AVlietn! Here is for the reinga, liacre ako! Follow!’ and, letting go her Hold, she shot as from a catapult far over the, precipice and was dashed to pieces among the rocks below. One loud wail broke from the assembled Natives, and Te AYhetn rose up, went to his hut and shot himself. Thus lie followed Takiri, and joined her in the reinga. After this the ‘moari’ was cut down, and the settlement was deserted for many years.”