The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1884.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4191, 29 December 1884, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1884.

A veey interesting meeting was that which took place at Pctaucpali on Thursday afternoon. For the first time since the war terminated—twelve years ago -the commander of the forces, that played havoc with the Uriwera tribe, had tho opportunity of meeting- on terms of friendship the representatives of his old foes. With scarcely an exception, the Unwcrasgathered at Petane were engaged in the "rebellion." So animated were they by the spirit of warfare that the tribe furnished contingents to all the hostile native forces with whom we fought. Rightly enough Sir George Whitmore referred to the Uriwera ■as the bravest of all the tribes that: had opposed him. They had, perhaps, loss to loso than tho others, they regarded thair as impenetrable, and they considered that In fighting against tho Pakeha thoy were engiiged in a righteous and patriotic cause. ■ Occupying a densely wooded and moun - tainouß cOimtty, that-for the most part i offered no attraction to the European

settler, they had had little or no intercourse with colonists, and they were the most uncivilised and barbaric tribe in the whole of New Zealand. In 1574-, when the writer

of Ihis article accompanied Mr Locke to Ruatahunn, it. was the boast of tho TJriwera that there were but two half-caste children in the tribe, and that they came from the extreme outskirts of their country. The old

manners and customs of the Maoris are fast dyina , out, and it is probable that the Uriweras are the only aboriginals who could have given such a reception as that accorded Sir George Whitmore on Thursday. Turning to our diary of Mr Locke s mission to Runtahnna we find the following description of his reception—" As we turned a corner, suddenly four naked painted warriors, armed with spears, sprang from out of the scrub on either side of the track. As soon as they alighted on the path in front of us, they halted for a second or two, and facing our party stooped clown, yelled, shook their spears, and made the most horribly hideous grimaces. These savages, who'misjht easily have been taken for men possessed of the 'devil, then hopped, danced, Voared, and stamped, the while keeping about twenty yards in front of us. Thus preceded, we "marched slowly a hundred yards or so, when onr maniacal friends wore joined by some twenty other fiendish-looking cannibals, who rather if anything, exceeded the first, in tl'.o V I -ou.s savasrery of their appearance, and in their talent for making themselves more repulsive looking. Tho length to which they could stretch out their tongues, and project their eyeballs from" the sockets was extraordinary, while their pedal activity would have delighted the heart of a dancing master. A running war dance was kept up till wo reached tho wide flat on which all the tribe of Uriweras was gathered. When we had come within a few yards of the llunnnga house, the mass of squatting men we had observed in tho distance sprang up as one man, and with a fearful yell, brandishing rifles, spears, meres, and all sorts of warlike weapons, commenced the war dance. Wo reckoned there were about 300 men, the majority naked or within a fraction of being so, drawn up in a solid square, the flower of tho fighting warriors of the tribe. A finer body of mon could not have been brought together. This troop, every member of it vying with his next rank man to produce the most awful facial contortions, went through a regulated series of rapid movements (without breaking ground) with a precision that was truly marvellous, and which kept time to a kind of chant, harsh and hoarse, and terminating with a swelling roar, scarcely discordant, made up of yells and screams. The ground perceptibly shook with the measured tramp of this dance." Such was tho time-honored manner amongst the Maoris of receiving distinguished guests, and it was in this manner, somewhat modified in the matter of loincloths, that Sir C4corge Whitmore was received at reta.no. It is well, perhaps, that the custom is dying out. It is a remnant of barbarism that only lingers amongst the least civilised of tho tribes, but its observance on Thursday was tho highest respect the Uriweras could show to the soldier they wished to honor.

A meeting in the bankrupt estate of M. Hogan, a contractor, lapsed this morning for want of a quorum.

On and after Friday next our Waipukurau agency will be transferred to Mr F. H. Drawer's stores, where copies of the Daily Telegram may be had every night on the arrival of the 7.15 o'clock train.

We remind members of the Napier Rowing Club that tho entries for tho junior and senior trial pairs close this evening at the Criterion Hotel, at S o'clock. " A Lady " writes complaining-that tho water was cut off on Saturday and Sunday without any intimation to that effect being given. Last evening in St. John's Church, at tho conclusion of tho ordinary service, a considerable nuinhar of the congregation remained while the choir repeated several of the Carols sung on Christmas Day. After tho match was finished on Saturday, to fill up tho afternoon a fresh game was started, Wellington going to the wickets and scoring 137 to which Hawke's Bay responded with 35 for three wickets.

The collections made in St. John's Church next Sunday will be in aid of tho Diocesan Fund. This fund has been started for the purpose of giving assistance to the poorer and outlying districts of the Diocese.

Tho Governor's address on " The defenco of New Zealand," delivered to the members of tho New Zealand Institute, at the anniversary mooting on October 4, has been printed, and illustrated with charts and plates.

We are glad to hear that the jockey Cleary, who was injured at the Hastings meeting on Friday, is in a fair way of recovery. There is no truth whatever in tho painful report that was in circulation yesterday.

Mr C. Ellison was charged with an offence against the railway by-laws this morning. The case was dismissed as the police were satisfied some one else had used Mr Ellison's name, as he had not been out of town for three months.

The jubilee of Father Eeignier's priesthood will he celebrated at Meaneo on New Year's Day. • Amusements of various kinds will be provided for tho children, and at 3.50, an address will be presented to the rev. Father at the Meaneo College.

One of the alterations in the roll on which the Harbor 'Loan battle has to be fought was a. very noticeable one, being more than the changing , of an initial. It was explained that the lady had married in the meantime which accounted for the metamorphosis.

The Citizen a Lincolnshire paper of Oct. 21st, states that the retail butchers of tho metropolis have been paying in the Central Meat Market a higher price during tho week for New Zealand than for Englishgrown mutton.

A correspondent finds fault with that portion of our report of the Wellington v. Napier cricket match which docs not give Mr Cox all praise as a bowler. There are too many mutual-admiration societies already without including cricketing clubs amongst them.

A watehnight service will be held in St. John's Church next Wednesday evening, being New Year's Eve. It will commence at if. 30, and will bo followed by a celebration of the Holy Communion, to which members of the Communicants' Union are specially invited.

A Taradalc settlor wants to know whether King James' Act anent Funday trading could bo made apply to the work of impounding live stock. We do not know, but the law of trespass applies equally on isuiidays as it does on week days.

Mr J. C. Williamson has, the Post learns completed arrangements in England for the engagement of <t full English Opera Company for an Australian and New Zealand tour. ' It may be expected to arrive in Melbourne in about two months' time.

The following deeds will be certified by the Trust Commissioner if not objected to after nine days'notice at Wairoa:— Conveyance Piripi Jvoara, to J. G. Kinross, Kaukauroa No. "g, 410 acres., conveyance Urupene Ham'ana, to J. Gj. Kinross, Kaukauroa No. 2, JlO acres.

The meeting to bo held on tho 12th January in reference to the harbor bill will not all be held at tho same hour. bomo will take place in the afternoon, while in the large centres they will be in the cveiiiiv At Waipawa the meeting will be m the' evening, and in Waipukurau in the afternoon.

The following deed has boen submitted to the Trust Commissioner during the past week to which lie lias decided to certify if not objected to within the next five days, conveyance of undivided interest, John Shechan executor find trustee in the will of Kara.itiana Takamoan.i, to Henry Gai.sford, Oringi Wairukc block, 12,008 acres. Thero arc 1078 names on tho ratepaj'ers' rolls for the Napier Harbor Board district. Of this number SGS are in tho town. If the settlers are true to themselves and to the district they will by their votes on the polling day prove that they have not been misled by croakers and others whose interest it is to keep Hawke's Bay in tho background, and to the rear of all other districts in tho colony. Caledonian sports are highly appreciated in Waipawa, judging: from the large attendanoo they attracted on Friday in that township, and from tho numbers that went to Waipukurau tho following day to witness similar games. A great feature of tho sports ground was the Highland eostumo, many of the settlers from .Scotland wearing the ancient dress of their country.

A bank manager in a New South Wales town, and father of a large family, has been carried away bo far by the ravings of tho Salvation A~rmy that he has given up his billet, and now devotes his time to preaching

" Blood and fire " doctrines in the streets. Whenever a dramatic show comes along he rings a bell in front of the place where the performance is, warning all who go to see it that they are lost.

On their wr.y to Wairoa, the Uriweras were stopped at the Mohaka river by the natives of that pah who lined the opposite bank armed with rifles. The Mohaka men demanded whether Te Kooti was with the Uriweras, and on being told that ho was not, they said, "then you may the river ; but you must not stop here*7 go s'« light on." Tho visitors then went on to Wairoa where they were hospitably received.

The following long sentenced prisoners were sent yesterday down to Wellington: —H. Douglas, eighteen months; Edward Perry, one year ;W. Tricker, three years; Watene Atutu, four years ; Hare Hare, two years ; Hori Tipana, three years ; R. P. Finlayson, two years ;Wi Hunia, two years; To Roinga, eighteen months. J. W. Sylvester, ten years, was forwarded on to Lyttelton gaol. Twenty hard labor prisoners remain at the Napier gaol.

Tho editor of a journal publishtd ia Antwerp sent a reporter to Brussels for the king's speech, and with him a couple of carrier~pigeons to take back the news speedily. At Brussels he gave the pigeons in chargo to a waiter, and called for breakfast. He was kept waiting some time, but a very delicate fricassee atoned for tho delay. After breakfast he paid his bill, and called for his carrier pigeons. "Pigeons!" exclaimed the waiter, "why, you have eaten them !"

A. special meeting of thellarborßoard was heid at 2 p.m., present Messrs Ormond. M.H.R. (in the chair), Wardrop, J. A. Smith, P. Dolbel, Vautior, Neal, W. C. Smith, M.H.E., H. Williams, His Worship the Mayor, and Hon. J. N. Wilson. The chairman said it was a special meeting called to get authority to initial alterations in tho roll, and a formal meeting was needed to confirm the alterations made. The necessary authority to initial the alterations was given to tho chairman, and the proceedings terminated.

We notice by the Christchurch papers that at the annual installation of the W.M. and the investiture of officers of the Canterbury Lodge, No. 1048, E.C., held on the 19th of December, Bro. E. Price was appointed Director of Ceremonies. As Bro. Price was admitted a member of tho Victoria Lodge, Napier, on the 14th of Soptember, 1880, his former Brethren will no doubt be glad to hear that he has made such progress in Masonry as to enable him to bo selected for that most important position in one of the largest lodges in tho South Island.

The following is from the Waimate Times:—l am sorry to see that the talented contributor of tho Otago Witness who writes under tho norn deplume of Civis has been made the victim of a cruel sell. Ho has been had by a poetaster by means of what he mistakenly characterises ns "a flaming tribute of affection." In week's Witness appears an " Ode to Civis" in acrostic form. The first letters of tho first nine lines, read downwards, spell tho words "Civis is an," and the last letters of tho ninth, tenth, and eleventh lines are unfortunately "A.S.S."

The " garden party " announced to take place to-morrow in tho grounds of Mrs Tylee, in connection with the St. John's Ladies' Work Society should be well patronised. Apart altogether from tho benevolent character ot the institution for the benefit of which the entertainment has been organised, the attractions that will be offered the public, not the least of which is the natural beauty of Mrs Tylee's grounds, should bring about a large social gathering;. The Garrison Band have kindly given their services for the occasion, so that in addition to fireworks, games for children, &c, &c., there will be a moonlight concert. grounds will be opened from 3 to 10 p.inf

Tho Wellington cricketers were entertained at dinner on Saturday evening at the Clarendon Hotel, some forty gentlemen eitting down to table. The spread wua in Mr Peddie's best stylo, and after full justice had been done to the good things provided, toasts, speeches, and songs succeeded each other, so that a very enjoyable evening was spent. Mr Fulton occupied the chair supported by the captains of the two team?, and many highly complimentary things were said by those who had so fairly striven for the honor of victory in the day time. During the evening Mr Cottrell's meerschaum pipe was presented to Mr White as the highest scorer in the match. We won't vouch for the truth of the following anecdote, although wo heard it from. first - class authority. But sup.li as it is, this is it: —One of the present members of the Lower House is a broad gentleman with a thick beard and a peculiar mark over one eye. If we mistake not, he was a Minister of the Crown at one time, and came very prominently before the public in connection with mining leases. He had been paying attention to a young lady for a long time, and had taken her to attend the House until she was well posted in the rulee. On the last day of the session, as they came out, he bought her a bouquet of flowers, and said to 'her, '' May I offer you my handful of flowers?" She replied promptly, "I movers amend by omitting all after the word hand." He blushingly accepted the amendment, and they adopted it unanimously and formed a committee of two with power to increase the number. The Manawatu Times is responsible for the following:—A resident of Manawatu who recently visited Wellington on business took advantage of tho opportunity of waiting on Captain Edwin, tho great weather manufacturer. In an injured tone, the Manawatu representative dwelt on the injustice done to the district by sending warnings to look out for bad weather, and suggested that, for a little while at least, the captain should make his predictions take a milder and more seasonable tone. Sadly and wearily the gallant cantain raised his head, and said that at' llis present salary, ho could not afford to send Avcather of a better quality, but matters might be different with a higher rate of pay. At present, however, it was out of tho question to run tho institution at a loss. The Manawatu resident who reports this incident then retired with a feeling of profound regret, and anathematised the parsinionyof the Government. V At the R.M. Court this morning, before

Captain Prccco, R.M., John Johnson, charged with being drunk -while in charge of a horse and cart at Clivc on Saturday last, was fined £1, though he begged to bo let off, and 'said lie would not do it any more. —Pat Rooney, for drunkenness, was fined os and costs.— Joseph Hogau, was

charged with failing to comply with an order to contribute to the support of his step children. The ease was postponed for four -weeks.—Walter Johnson alias John Smith, was charged with forging- a cheque on the Bank of New Zealand, for £1, on the 20th December. Arthur llislop deposed

he knew the prisoner by sight. On tho 20th instant he saw him in company with a man named MoEwan,- in-tho Masonic Hotel.

Mi<E\van tendered him a cheque' in pay.'-; ment of two drinks. The cheque was signed Walter Johnson. McEwan said ho need not be "skecred" about the cheque it was all right. McEwan endorsed tho cheque, and got the change. After hearing*

the evidence in this and another casein which another prisoner named Alexander Mr:Ewan was implicated, His Worship directed that tho prisoner, Walter Johnson should be charged with getting , money under false pretencegi, Tho case was proceeding when we went to\ press. Johnstonc said M'Ewan was innocent of the charge. Tho Democratic section in the United States Senate will not endorse tho action of America in reference to the construction of a Nicaragua canal.