Hauhau meeting at Waituti.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 84, 24 December 1887, Page 2

Hauhau meeting at Waituti.

Ocb correspondent visited the Maori camp at the above-named place on Thursday, where the Waikatos are now being entertained. To a stranger who has not seen many Maoris assembled the scene is an interesting oneThere is a camp formed all round one side of the big Runanga house which has been especially prepared for the visitors. On arrival of the visitors (over one hundred) the first proceeding was to have a service of thanksgiving to Jehovah—which was a solemn and impressive in its character, —since then eating and drinking (no intoxicants whatever allowed on the ground) seem to have been the principal occupation. The women of the Kainga do their fall share of work by preparing the food which is lavishly provided, It Bcems that these people have come according to arrangements made amongst Hanhaus that there should be meetings held all over the country prior to the Ist January, 1888. A desire is evidently evinced to make as many converts to their faith as possible. On Sunday the Ist of January, the services will be of a special nature, and we will endeavour to furnish an account to our readers. There will be service on Sunday next. They address their worship entirely to Jehovah, Whom they profess to reverence. Next week, oo arrival o ■. Fere, Herini ti Kani an others there will be more speechifying. So far it seems W1 Brown is the only one who has spoken out and who has the courage of his opinions. One or two of the Waikatos expressed themselves very strongly to our correspondent. They say that To Kooti should have accompanied them, but he has not; and that the pakehas profess to have condoned all his offences and still they bear ill-will towards him, You Ohriatiftns profess to forgive one another and bear the malice, We come to preadh pexoa, love, and charity, but do not find this a characteristic of ths residents here. Many of the natives who disagree with the views held by the above-named keep aloof and will not even visit them,