THE NATIVE GATHERING AT PARIKINO.

Waka Maori, Volume 12, Issue 2, 25 January 1876, Page 12

THE NATIVE GATHERING AT PARIKINO.

(From the Whanganui Herald.) The gathering of the Maoris at Parikino was large and a most successful affair. There were from 800 to 1,000 Maoris present at it, and extensive preparations had been made to extend the rights of hospitality to all who chose to be present. The festivities commenced on Christmas Day, when the children from Jerusalem came down to meet their fellow scholars at Parikino. The whole of them were nicely and cleanly dressed, and showed that considerable pains had been taken with them. On the evening preceding Christmas Day the children assembled in the school-house, and recited a number of pieces, which they had been taught, in a highly creditable manner, and to the intense delight of the listeners. The room was inconveniently crowded, and a break-up followed sooner than otherwise would have been the case. The next morning an assembly was made outside the building, and R. W. "Wbon, Esq., R.M., distributed a number of prizes. The distribution of the prizes gave great satisfaction to all present. The School Committees and the parents of the children were present, besides a large number of leading Natives. After the distribution of the prizes, the children were addressed by R. W. "Woon, Esq., the Rev. Mr. Taylor, and many of the chiefs present. The company then adjourned to a large tent, which had been erected for the occasion, and where a splendid Christmas dinner was served. There the usual roast meats, &c., besides a large supply of plum-pudding, cakes, and other delicacies, were in the utmost profusion. Plates, knives, and forks, had been provided for the guests, and, that nothing might be wanting, Maori stewards and waiters attended on the guests, and saw that every want was supplied. The chiefs, school committees, and parents sat down first, and then relay after relay of guests partook of the good things which had been provided so abundantly. On Sunday morning the Rev. Mr. Taylor, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Edwards, a Maori missionary, held Divine service, which was largely attended ; in fact, the large meeting-house was crowded to excess. After the service he married somewhere about forty couples, and baptized upwards of fifty children, in the presence of a large assembly. As we have before stated, great preparations had been made for their meeting, which was the largest assembly of Maoris ever held in the place. All the Whanganui tribes were well represented, and there could not have been less than 800 to 1,000 present. The quantity of food prepared was enormous, and all who came were made welcome, whether Pakeha or Maori. [At the Iruharama school feast, given in December, 1874, Hakaraia said he was so much pleased with that entertainment that he had determined upon having a similar one at the Parikino schoolhouse in December, 1875, to which the N gatihau and their school children should be invited. "We are glad to see that he has not forgotten his promise.—Ed. Waka Maori. ]