A MAORI FUNERAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3235, 12 November 1881, Page 4

A MAORI FUNERAL.

The following interesting account of the funeral of tho distinguished chief Matene Te Whiwhi, is taken from tho Manawatu Herald. It is an apt illustration of the manner in which civilised customs,have become mixed with tho barbarous habits of the people:—

On Thursday, the 29th September, at 8 p.m., the above-named chief, who had long been ailing, died. The last rites of the Church had been administered to him in the morning. From the time of his death until the present but little peace has prevailed in Otaki. The continued arrival of natives from all parts, their welcome, the food carriers, &c, all in different-colored apparel of the most brilliant hues (contrasting in most cases strikingly with the green willows worn on the head and round the waist), havo given the town a most picturesque appearance ; in fact, the sight is or.c that should be taken advantage of, as it is likely to be the last of its kind, at least in Otaki. At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the funeral procession started from the deceased chief's house to the church. Five Maoris, in-true Native costume, almost covered in green, led the way. Six more, dressed similarly, followed with the coffin, and after them came the widow and all Te Whiwhi's near relations, dressed in mourning. The next band in the procession were certainly, for coloring and picturesqueness, beyond any description. Viewed from a short distance, this band (dressed in full Maori dress, with imitation meres in their hands, painted faces, and green wreaths), formed such a picture as would draw admiration from the most -inartistic. Almost the whole of the white male population of the district closed the procession. At the church gate, Rawm, the minister, met the corps, and reading the usual sentences, preceded it into the church. When the whole concourse had entered the building, there was scarce standing room, from -which it may be calculated that from five to seven hundred persons were present. Besides those inside, a good number of Maoris and European ladies gathered in groups in the churchyard. After the funeral was over, the bands of Natives marched off in a most orderly manner to their homes. _ Abont an hour afterwards, the noted Waikato chief Te Heu Heu, who had sent word to await his arrival to bury the body, was announced by the firing of guns. When he walked down the road, dressed in European style, and accompanied by a boy carrying his luggage, all the natives met him and welcomed him in their usual manner, dancing and singing, and escorted him to the residence of the deceased chief. A great feast, of course, took place in the evening, at which it was estimated there were about 200 gallons of spirits. Processions bearing food, after the Maori style, in full native costume, occupied all yesterday morning. The time for the haka is not yet decided. Four bullocks, a great number of pigs and sheep, pickled birds, shark, and flour (about 2CO bags) are to be divided. About £40 had been c olleeted in £1 notes, and were brought along in prosession on sticks. This is to be devoted to. the erection of a monumental stone to the memory of Te Whiwhi.