A MAORI MATCHMAKER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1929, Page 4

A MAORI MATCHMAKER

EFFORTS FAIL. HE DTD THE PROPOSING. AUCKLAND, Feb. 7. / Proceedings at the Supreme CourUagt? til's morning lapsed from their usual 'y calm dignity for a brief period, and \ laughter reigned, when a Maori witness was detailing tribal customs when it came to arrange Native weddings. Even Air Justice Blair appreciated so mo of the jokes that were more or less unconsciously “cracked.” “Who was in charge?” asked Mr R. A. Singer of witness, who said a gathering of Maoris had been held at Portland to discuss the proposed wedding of accused and a girl of 34J involved in the case. “Everybody was in charge.” resnonded witness, adding that the gathering was held in a kitchen. Air Singer: How many were there— I don’t exactly know; I didn’t A them, lmt it was a full kitchen. Witness explained that he had usedefforts to arrange the marria"e, hut. objection was raised by Alaoris at the ' meeting to the proposal, because be had approached ‘only the parents of the parlies. His Honor; What is the proper thing to do when a. man wants to marry a Maori girl? Witness: 'Flic custom' is to go to the parents of the girl, and I did that. Air Singer: But who 1 usually does the proposing?—l did it. (Laughter.) What is the right thing? Witness (blandly): It is tlie right thing. His Honor: A near relative makes the arrangement?—That is the right way so far as 1 know. ‘ His Honor: How many relatives has lie got to see?—l’m not sure. I have only done it twice. This is my third, and 1 failed in it. (Laughter.) Air Singer said that apparently the more orthodox at tlie Maori meeting to discuss the important event took exception to witness’s efforts and thought he should have seen the whole of the relatives. Presumably the majority ruled in Maori matrimonial arrangements. Subsequently the Alaori “ matchmaker ” stated that some of the other rooms where the meeting was held were full. Some o'f the disinterested .Maoris had just followed along. (Laughter.) . . Air Singer (jocularly): T]iev are like pakohas. They like a free show.