TE WHITI'S RIVAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1773, 25 October 1879, Page 3

TE WHITI'S RIVAL.

The "Taranaki News" of a recent date says:—Another prophet has arisen as a rival to Te Whiti, on the West Coast. He resides at Punehu, few miles south of Stony river, and his name is Te Motu. He is not so fanatical as Te Whiti, he professes to be a teacher and not a seer, and is loyal to the Government. On Tuesday last some 200 Natives met this chief by invitation, and the day being fine a number of Europeans rode down from New Plymouth to witness the meeting. The prophet has a large and beautiful Native house decorated with carved images, some of whioh are not quite in accordance with European notions of decency. These on this occasion were neatly draped. The prophet, who is a fine man, but is worn and weak with fasting, sat on a sort of throne, having over his head a copy of a certificate of admission into some friendly society's lodge—we believe that of the Foresters, He was arrayed first in a white robe, over this he wore some dressed skins, and over these Foresters' regalia. Those assembled in the temple having seated themselves and assumed a very solemn deportment, the prophet rose to preach. Like Te Whiti, his address was scriptural and metaphorical. He first spoke on the importance of contentment, taking for his text the parable of the loßfc sheep. He then discoursed on the lost piece of silver, and finally exhorted to peace and perfect unity, enlarging and dwelling with animation on the passage—" Where there is neither Jew nor Greek, barbarian, Soythian, bond -nor free, but Christ is all in all." He was most hospitable to his guests of both races, and expressed his pleasure at seeing so many Pakeha gentlemen present and invited them to come and see him again. The Europeans thanked him very cordially for his kind reception, and retired well pleased with their visit. Te Motu's influence with the Natives is said to be rapidly extending.