THE NEW MAORI PROPHET.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1300, 16 April 1872, Page 2

THE NEW MAORI PROPHET.

(WANGANUI HERALD). The following ia a sketch (by a valued contributor) of the new Maori faith, the founder of which is a chief named Te Whiti, the distinguishing feature being a wholesale resurrection of the Maori dead, and a triumph over the white people, who are, to be forced into the sea by the rehabilitated spirits. The inspired forerunner of the regeneration of his race will be the prominent figure at the great meeting to be held •m 1 • in a few days in Taranaki: Te Whiti of Parihaka has given out to the natives in general that in a short space of time, a few months hence, the cloud will rise and assist him in some great work he has in view, and he v arns his people and the natives generally that they must be prepared tor an event. It may appear strange to those whose knowledge of the natives is conlined to the Maori about town, to learn that this general resunection is firmly believed in by many of the natives, and oue voung chiet of some note has already left Wanganui to meet his father, when he returns from the spirit world to join Te Whiti. Bat the story reads another way. Te Whiti is believed by the majority of the natives to be endued with spiritual powers, and it is more likely he will on a certain day declare that he sees around him the fotms of those who were once in the flesh, and placing himself in listening attitude, pretend to hear words of command aud promises of support for all he wishes and undertakes to do ; and if he is a ventriloquist he may heighten the deception by making heard the voice of some well known chief, whose word was ever law while he lived with his people. Fancy the excitement should the old Whetowhero, Hongihika, Rangihaeta or Muriwae be supposed to address the assembled natives! What jthen would be the result if on the light air some evening, when all was still, was chanted the del vaceta made in honor of the Wherowhero having slain many hundreds, some say a thous-md, prisoners with his own hand till he paused from fatigue as they were led bound up to him, x\ll this is surmise, but Te Whiti is a dangerous man, as he can command a hearing and lias taught himself to believe he is a God—half mad half sane. Te Una's religion was at first despised and laughed at, but how many heads of JSuropeans have grinned doyui from the Hauhau pole upon the maddened fanatics who spun round beneath 1 We can laugh at the idea of a raising of the dead, but if there should turn out to be a belief that the spirits of the reinga would help the natives to, redeem their past, though, the superstition would not last long, it might cause, untold ruin, and t.ionble. Laughter would then be hushed and sorrow take the place of inivtli,..