MAORI ORGANISER'S REPORT.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 224, 18 February 1914, Page 12

MAORI ORGANISER'S REPORT.

1 he lir>t month of the New Year is very promising, excep. for a slight accident at kaeo, on the way to Matauri Hay. A horse bolted with me tour miles on a dangerous road, and when 1 arrived at Matauri, 18 miles, was put stiaight to bed. Next day, al hough unable to sit up, 1 held the meeting, with the assistance of Miss Smith. Mrs Duthie, the school teacher, an old White Kibboner, was very kind to me. The two-day old Til ion hired, at great expense, a buggy .o bring me in to kaeo. Dr. Mercer was most considerate, and though 1 had to be in bed five days, under his care, 1 was soon able to leave the kind minister and his wife (Rev. Ilapeta Renata) and continue with the work. At Wainui, Touwai, Waimahana, Tacmaro, and kenana, we established good Unions. At l’amopuria there was a huge gathering of people irom all parts of the North, for the “tangi” for their chief, Ilimiona l’opata. After the funeral, we were allowed to speak to all these people, and invited to visit their different settlements to establish Unions. This we have done. In the saddle every day, and up iate every nigh:, forming Unions. There are three at l'amopuria. and some at Huna, Roma, Marikena, le Awanui, and Waireka.

This last week one of the leading ladies of Te Awanui, Ripine Kanara, and her daughter, escor.ed us up the long beach to Te Kao and other settlements at .he North Cape. The people were very glad to at last have this work put right into their hands. VYe have now four splendid Unions there, and the boys are desirous of forming Unions themselves. The 75 miles ride is wor.h the while, when one meets with such success at the end. During this fortnight I have got many new subscribers to the “W hite Ribbon,” also many new members to our Union. We still have the two horses lent by the Mangamuka Union to us. This, I think, is about

the largest subscription yet given to the work, for those horses have

brought us over 250 miles. The gumficlds are in the clutches of a great evil —wine. The Austrians are making their fortune with the wine trade, selling it wholesale to men, women, and girls, causing great havoc. If some restriction could be put on these men it would be the saving of many souls. Parents have also complaints about Europeans sly-grog selling to the young Maori lads not out of their teens. 1 have asked the Council to do .heir utmost to prevent this also. We are now returning through Lake Ohia to Mangamuka, and then 1 shall proceed to the Northern Wairoa districts. The results of this tour have been successful beyond all expectations. TE MAARI WOODHEAI).