MAORI AND PAKEHA.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 852, 25 June 1910, Page 6

MAORI AND PAKEHA.

A STORY WITH A MORAL. The hospitality of the Maori is pit* verbial. ■ That the pakeha-does not always reciprocate was pointedly empilia* sised in Wellington a couple of years ago when a movement was initiated to secure an abiding place for Natives, owing to the difficulty they experienced in obtaining accommodation at hotels or boarding houses. Tho difference between the races was strikingly contrasted by a recent episode in Taranalti. Ta&ri 'Waitara} the wealthy son of the prophet" To Whiti, and the Mayor, council, town clerk, and city; engineer of Pa.nihaka, rolled into one, is not afflicted with the lethargy which affects so many of tho race. One morning he rose in tho early hours, and drove into Now Plymouth, arriving about 8 a.m. As he had had northing: to eat Before-leaving, his appetite had a keen edge, and a breakfast of "some sort became a matter of .paramount importance. He adjourned a hotel (in liis ordinary working 'clothes), ■ ana asked the proprietor if he could hav® breakfast.

"No, no breakfast here for you!** was tho brusque reply.

"How much do you charge for breakfast?" asked Taari. "A diilling!" replied.mine host. . "I'll give you five shillings for breakfast," offered Taari.

"No, you can't have breakfast here!"' was the publican's ultimatum. Taari! ate elsewhere.

A week or two later an occasion arose, and Taari ga.ve a great spread aiParihaka. Many of the leading men oi New Plymouth and otheas attended. While' the feast was under way and ths hearts' of all present were warm foif Taari's rich hospitality, tho host noticed the publican of the above episodw making havoc with the breast of a chicken. Ho could not resist the impulse within him, and, rising from his. seat, ho made his way behind the ban* quetors, and touched tho publican on( /the shoulder. "Do you know mo?" ho asked. "No," said the publican.. "Do you remember the Maori wWi offered. you ss. for a breakfast ?" insisted Taari. "I—oh—oh, yes!" said the publican.. "That was me—Taari .Waita-ra!" With that he walked back to his -seat, ' leaving the publican to his thoughts.