Among the Maoris.

White Ribbon, Volume 2, Issue 15, 1 September 1896, Page 3

Among the Maoris.

Mrs Hewett has been bolding meetings among the Maoris at Ohinemutu and Whakarewarewa which are attended with unabated interest, and, in spite of discouraging prognostications as tc the instability 01 the Maoris in this respect, Mrs Hewett has every reason to believe they will continue in the good work of temperance started thirteen years ago. Mrs Hewett’s work has resulted in the formation of five branch unions of the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The first and largest is at Ohinemutu, with 52 members, with Emare Poraumati, president ; Tuhara Kemuera, vice-president ; Mrs Foley, secretary ; and Terila Ratema, treasurer. This Union has taken up work in the following departments:— Temperance, social parity, Sundayschool, Band of Hope, sewing-class, and Bible class. In connection with this Union is a committee of thirteen male members, with three chiefs— Taikata, Tokoihi, and W. Tai. Retimana Piwiki is secretary, and Te Remuera treasurer. The Whakarewarewa Union is steadily increasing its members, with Sophia (the well-known guide) as its president; HerenaTaupopoki, vice-president; Isabella Thomas, secretary; Annie Walker, treasurer. There are 30 members. They also have taken up the same departments of work as at Ohinemutu. A branch has been formed at Te Ngae, with 27 members, and others at Awahou and Maketu. Whilst addressing the Maoris a

few days ago, Mrs Hewett, in urging them to he faithful and earnest, said that she had been told that the Maoris had only taken up Temperance as something new, and that they would very soon tire ot it, and give it all up. She, however, hoped and believed it would not he so at Rotorua. In reply, a chief said : “ Dear Friend and, I may say, benefactress, be not discouraged or disheartened by the words of outsiders that the Maoris will he unfaithful to the Temperance cause. Let me speak to you of the time when the Pakeha first came to New Zealand, when the early missionaries brought to us Christianity, which we accepted. Then much trouble came to the Maori from the Pakeha—through bringing the waipiro and other evils—alsotrouble about our land. Then came the Maori wars. All these troubles came—loss of land, loss of life—so that our race seemed to be dying out, but our faith lias remained firm in God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, whom we worship to this day ; we have stood firm through all our troubles to the Christianity brought to us so many years ago, and shall we not also be finn to the Temperance cause and the good works you are teaching us ? Be not disheartened. We pray that you may be strengthened, as you have strengthened us, and carry on the good work of Temperance.” A new' member was admitted, Horiana Tewatena, a tall, handsome, graceful woman. She spoke in sweet but solemn tones of her conviction that this temperance movement would be the saving of the Maori race. She congratulated all the officers and members of the Ohinemutu branch, of which she had just become a member, fur having entered upon such a good work with so much earnestness. She then turned towards Mrs Hewett and spoke most touching w’ords of welcome and gratitude. The president, Emare Poraumati, and Mrs Ratema cordially welcomed the new member on behalf the Ohinemutu Union.