HAUHAUISM IN THE NORTH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1596, 29 June 1887, Page 3

HAUHAUISM IN THE NORTH

Onr Kawakawa correspondent writes oh the Bth inst.: — Of the Hauhaus- of the Walhou Valley, Hoklanga, come tlme.a^o I wrote respecting the very extraordinary proceedings of the Maori sect, and of their burning their deal, to prevent, as it was raid, any police investigation, It appears that although from the action taken ty the tar j >rlty of Native Bottlers m other parts of the country, and since tho death of the Maori prophetess, Maria, who some twelve months ago started strange ovglea, kcan tniiona. and prophecies, some have taken their departure, still hor followers m the Walhou Valley, on the borders of Hokianga and Biy of Islands counties, and by the new formed road through this Valley to Viotorla Valley, keep up Borne of their rites _and incantations to the great annoyance of thoir European neighbors. The only police oouetable available to oheok theso orgieß is Constable Hughes, of Hokianga It appears the fanatics number about fi . y, who are divided into relays or watche-, to use a naval or military term, who roliove eaoh other m their antics, making the nlyhl as well as the day hideo<>and frightful by their constant howls. : Sometimes they xteud their orgies m processional form, partially o.vored wiih white bands of Ur. on, to the no small alaim of tho nelghboiing settlors At other times they tie u> a supposed victim for sacrifice ; and on oe occasion, having kidnapped a native S>oy from another settlement, thoy were ■■ _oceedlng m like manner as with he fictitious one. The Ud was about sixteen or seventeen years old, nnd most fortunately tho abduction was disco vend, aud, with the police and a large parly of Natlvos, the fanatic, were attacked, and none too soon, db they evidently Intended mischief. However, theic intendwd vlottm ! was released, and very soon on regaining his liberty mado traoKs for .s. me relatives m a more distant par t of tho country. This last aot has had thu e_F_ofc of arousing more energetically the action of the leading chiefs of tbe native population ln the oonuties of Hokianga and Bay of Inlands ; and it Is to be hoped their more prompt and decisive aotion now will caueo the fan an'ci to ohange their mode of i t and live more quieity and' orderly In thoir settlement.-—" New'Zaaland Herald.''