WITH TAWHAIO AND THE KINGITES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 223, 6 September 1878, Page 3

WITH TAWHAIO AND THE KINGITES.

(Continued from No. 219.)

At the Korero, this morning, Te Nhakau was spokesman for Tawhaio. He is strongly built, of as light complexion as many Englishmen; he appears to be an effective speaker ; his action is peculiar, he stretches out his left arm, slightly curved, looking round from side to side. Although his manner is bold and decisive, his very pale brown eyes lend rather a furtive expression to his face. At the last talk, Patara Te Hue got so involved in metaphor, as to become mystifying ; he is a cultivated man, and was formerly editor of the Maori newspaper Te Hokoi. This meeting to-day was of political interest. In the crowd I noticed a woman, about thirty-five years of age, (thoroughly English in complexion and general appearance), her dress like the fashion of twenty years since, her hair worn in plain bands, one felt interested and bound to make her acquaintance. Her accent was pure, her langage that of an educated person. She said she was a half-caste, had been brought up at one of the old mission schools, had married a Cheshire yeoman, by whom she had been left a widow with three children ; that a considerable sum (about £12,000), was bequeathed to them by their grandfather ; that the people of her tribe watched her so well, that she found she could not quit them ; that finally she had married a Maori husband, by whom she had a second family, he was very kind to her, but she felt ashamed to come among white people again. I was afterwards introduced to her second husband, and in the good looking, well grown fellow, thought she had ample excuse to justify her in retaining the friendship of her native connections. A fair haired, well set up, young Englishman, was the only European living with the natives, that came onder my notice.

" No scandal about Queen Elizabeth," but the state of Tawaio's domestic relations may be correctly described as polygamous, as he has three wives, two of thorn, at least, are very young and connlv ; they all seem thoroughly good friends. Tv Tawhaio, the eldest son, as handsome a man as you may meet with in a day's walk, follows the footsteps of his father to a certain extent —he has two wives. Tawhaio, who appears in good spirits, got up a dance today. For this purpose, the terrace was railed off at each end, so as to permit of sufficient space for the performers. People come in crowds to look on at the European dances. A good-tempered master of the ceremonies, with a short hunting whip, cleared room enough for 'the dancing of polkas, waltzes, quadrilles, and Lancers. In the two latter dances, several novelties were introduced; the Highland schottische was danced repeatedly. The Maoris keep excellent time, and dancing gracefully appears to come to them naturally. The spectators were very closely packed ; on the outside of the crowd were mounted men, some standing on their saddles, to obtain a view of the performances. Tawhaio scrambled on to the roof of the wharau, so that he had indeed a post of vantage. Amongst the crowd of onlookers, a Kupapa pointed out a woman, that he declared was a pakeha, but there was too great a crowd just then to ascertain if this statement was correct. There was also present a full-blooded Maori woman, who appeared almost in the albino state, her eyes, not with pink irides, yet very weak, blinking painfully at the glare of daylight. Some women carried pet dogs on their bosoms, a few boie much more interesting bosom friends in the shape of the tiki, these ornaments, however, were rarely seen, they appear to be handed down as treasured heirlooms from one generation to another — the most beautiful specimen of this kind of jewelry, was worn by a woman from one of the west coast hapus. Girls seem greatly attached to each other, often walking or sitting together beneath the shelter of one blanket, this not from paucity of clothing, but rather as typical of the close bonds of their love for each other. Men too, frequently were to be seen walking hand in hand. Some of the old men perform a part of their toilet in public, you might have seen a venerable chief twisting the muscles of his well tattooed face before the tiniest of mirrors, whilst engaged in subjecting his beard to a depilatory process which he painfully managed, by means of a very rough pair of pincers—an inroad on old usage, as formerly mussel shells did duty for pincers. At such a large meeting of people, from districts stretching far and wide, of course it was not an unusual sight to witness the sorrowful tangi, old friends meeting together, kept up this ceremony for half-an-hour or more, indulging in a low moaning whine, at times shedding a plentiful flow of tears.

Amongst the old men, the elders of the land, if Time has deprived them of their pride of strength and activity, they have gained in his revolving seasons such ripe experience as makes their voices to be valued in council. Amongst the picturesque features of Hikurangi must be included the group of ancients that collect near the entrance ®f almost every warri; there the most stirring topics of the day are discussed—the remembrance of past deeds and achievements once more revived. But there are family gatherings to be seen witn melancholy surroundings, that cannot fail to excite sympathy ; the broken hapu—the party of venerable men and women who have outlived the natural offshoots which should have supported, and finally have succeeded them ; the young, the strong, the manly, the beautiful have succumbed to the cruel hand of fate, leaving the unfading memory of the bitterest sorrows to their wretched progenitors, awaiting the tardy approach of the last Great Gleaner. The great gathering has almost disappeared, the crowds have melted away with magic speed—tents struck, ponies laden, and away in an almost incredibly short time. The large wharau which last night was crowded with its motley assemblage, this morning was but a play-place for some half-dozen children. So ended this great gathering of Kingite natives—a meeting from which an unprejudiced observer might learn much as to the social habits of the retired natives. The signal for departure given; horses were saddled and we were soon, clear of the forest and descending the fertile spurs of beautiful Pirongia, from whence we got extensive prospect of "the confiscated lands " and could appreciate something of the enormous value of the indemnity exacted from the Waikatos.