HOKIANGA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1629, 17 November 1874, Page 430

HOKIANGA.

[PBOM A MAOEI CORBB6PONDENT.]

[TRANSLATION.] 24th October, 1874. Yesterday, a feast of loaves, cakes, and other food was given by the teacher of the Maori school at Waiua. Mr Von Stunner, the Custom-house officer, was one of those present; he is also the Resident Magistrate of the district of Hokianga. He said his heart rejoiced and was glad at the sight, and that the childreu had learnt so much and could sing so well. He spoke in a loud voice the words of joy from his mouth on account of the great knowledge the Maori children had gained of the English language, and also the kuowledge of figures and writing. He also gave prizes to those children who knew the most. The teacher sent invitations to the people to be present at the festival. There were 200 people there, who joined in the sports and partook of the food given by their English teacher. The provisions were laid out upon temporary tables which had been put up in the school-house. These tables were decorated with all sorts of flowers— European flowers and wild flowers—and the heart and eyes could not rest on account of the beauty of the flowers aud the pleasure they gave to the people who came to this feast, and also on account of the ample provision of food which was there displayed. The native people ate with gratitude and gladness the good things provided. When one party had eaten, they left the tables, and another party came and took their places before the cake and puddiug. Truly these people were strong to demolish the food. Do you put these words in the paper ; also in respect to the telegraph from Waiua to Heads Point in Hokianga—that this be done for the sum of £4OO. This work has been commenced on the 24th October, 1874. 25th October. We have received the news of the death of Rawiri Tarapota and his relative, Witeria, who were lost at sea. They went out to catch whales, and were taken out to sea by one of those animals. There were three boats ; two of them again reached the land, and one was out of sight of land for three days. The men were killed by want of food and exposure to the cold. One man died in this boat. There was a native of Wahu in this boat, and he was the compass by which they came again to New Zealand. The man died, aud his spirit truly went away. Do you put this into the newspaper that his tribes may see it, and also his loving friends.