THE MAORI GATHERING AT OPAEA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7565, 8 May 1919, Page 2

THE MAORI GATHERING AT OPAEA.

(To the Editor). Sir,*-The Maoris are much annoy ad because of the report in your paper of the meeting-hold at Opaea last month. It is so far from the truth. It was the most orderly^ and sober meeting evar held in thi&'district. You stated the food had run^ou*. There is still a largo amount of food stored »t Opaea and nearly three hundred in cash to buy more if it had been required. There was a ton of flour, a large amount of sugar and tea given to the visiting Maoris to take home, also i:.gs, eiderdown quilts, mats and over two thousand pounds in cash. One hundred pounds was also given to the returned men of the district who attended the meetings How many of our white men were treated' as well. As for the drinking, there was no drinking allowed jit the pa. Anyone bringing in drink was fined. The fines were five pounds for a bottle of whisky, one pound for a bottle of beer. Anyone returning drunk from town was also fined and the fines were paid. As for the fight, there was no fight. The day after the visitors left one of the home Maoris got the worse for drink in Taihape and brought some beer to the, pa. This was against the rules and it was taken from him. He made a fuss and there was only one hit. In fairness to the Maoris I hope you will publish this.—l am, etc. FRED HOWARD. P.S. —I vfited the pa every day. and I know all the Maoris around here.