XMAS DAY IN THE KING COUNTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 11, 4 January 1907, Page 3

XMAS DAY IN THE KING COUNTRY.

' Scenes of Joy aad Grief.

[by "Kahikatea."]-'

Haeremai! Haeremai! Haeremai ! that vibrant Native call which, once heard in reality, is never forgotten. Such was the sound that greeted us as the train drew in to the Station at Otorohanga on Christmas morning. But what is the meaning of this ? I enquired, as looking round the great assemblage I saw heads encircled with garlands of twisted willow, worn as wreaths of mourning". " Some one dead ?" I queried, and was informed that a kotiro (girl) had passed away that morning, in the midst of the preparations for the festivities. The laughter of many was turned to mourning, but the friends of the dead kotiro insisted that the pleasure of the visitors should not be damped, and that those, who had come in our trains, should go through the tangi first, and then the programme of the day should be adhered it. This was carried out, and here, let mc say, the Maori can teach us, in some things, how to deport ourselves. There, alongside of where the day's feasting and ceremonies were to be carried out, lay the little kotiro, under the temporary shelter of a large tent fly. As she lay there with the watchers on either side, she looked as if she had only fallen asleep; so she had, the long, long sleep that knows no awakening. Ever and anon, one of the watchers would stroke her face, and bend down, and seemed to be whispering into her ear. I turned away, and looked no more. A mother's love—what have we to equal it ? Here, on one hand, apparent joy, and side by side deep seated grief. If we (Pakehas) were placed under the same circumstances, we would, in all probability, have postponed the clay's proceedings. Not so, our Maori friends. To outward appearance they threw grief aside, and considered only the demands of hospitality; the feastthat was prepared, and the ceremonies that were to be undertaken. Under a huge marquee were three long tables, running the whole length of the shelter, all laid out most tastefully, and fairly bending under the weight of Christmas cakes, and other good things that advanced cookery could produce. The opening of the new whare " Runanga," the main ceremony of the day, was gone through first. The door was thrown open, "and all invited inside. A feature of the proceedings was the singing of a Waiata, a most beautiful song, and one which I have not heard equalled anywhere. The male and female voices, rising and falling, as they did, made one wish they would sing it again. After this was over, we all streamed out again, and calls for food-bearers were made. Away went a host of people to the Pakeha bakery, near the railway station, and out from the bowels of the baker's oven, was brought forth a noble collection of well-stuffed sucking pigs interpersed with baked ducks and geese, all. most beautifully browned, and their sides cracking with the amount of stuffing they contained. Such a collection few of us have ever seen. The air was odorous with the aroma that arose from their steaming bodies. They were then placed on long wooden trays, and down the street came the carriers followed by the crowd, and headed by some of the most influential men. As they came along towards the dining tent, they stopped here and there, facing about, • and doing the haka. Then on again,. and finally deposited the whole of the loads on tables that were prepared, and awaiting them. Now came a busy scene, the carvers fell to with long shiny knives and forks, and slicing up the different meats in the trays, soon the symetry of pigs, ducks and geese was destroyed. Next the call went forth for the riwai, and bearers came with loads of snow-white steamnig potatoes, and deposited them at convenient places, where the host of waiters could serve from. One chief, standing up, called cut a welcome, also telling us that the tent could only hold so many, and to arrange it in turns. I went in under the sheltering power of Tuwhakaririka, and wc sat down beside each other, and were speedily served with what we required. Moerua raised above us all, called to us that, " if anything was wanted, to lift up our hands, and those who were waiting would attend to us." This was not necessary, for the self-consti-tuted waiters were all attention, passing along between the rows, and inquiring if anything was wanted. I sat and counted, roughly, how many were dining in the first batch, and made the count one hundred and sixty. After we retired, the seats were filled again and again. Then it was found the tent was not able to fill the bill, so cloths were spread on the grass outside, and about ninty sat down there. Meanwhile, the tables were cleared, and the apparent master of that part of the programme, called out, " Haeremai, haeremai, kia kautou !" and announced that places, for only fifty at a time, were now laid in the tents, and to arrange to take their turns. Outside was a small army of girls and women washing up, and making ready the delf and cutlery, for the new relays of diners. But why go on ? All was bustle and good nature. It was the largest gathering of Natives I have seen for many years, fully 600 or more being present. The Native Missionary was there, and held a short service, in which most of those assembled joined. After all the feasting was over, came the poi haka. Sixteen performers, dressed in white, with blue bands crossing from the shoulder down to, and fastening in a large bow, at the waist, the long, loose ends trailing part way down to the knees, and the band on each performer fastened to the breast with a long greenstone brooch. They, one and all, looked what they were, very pretty indeed. The leader, who was quiet and self-possessed, gave the signal for each change of movement, not a mistake being made by any one of •her pupils, while Poutu Patapatu, with his staff and peculiar movements, ! caused shouts of praise to rise from the crowd. The poi girls did their part to perfection. The innumerable changes were bewildering, and , how they can remember their parts, is beyond me; but then, I am growing

old. Thi:. practically brought the dsy's orcceedings to a close. Gu?rd Jerry, with the long line of railroad coaches, was about clue, so we wended our way to the station, walking abcut first to shake hands, p.nd thank those of our hosts, that we knew, for their kindness to us. Presently the train came rolling re unci the bend, and the. whistle wnrn<~d us it was time to leave. We made our way to the platform, which was crowded by those who were staying behind, and who came to see their many friends off. We, amid shout? of farewell from those we left behind, departed, and taking our seats, wc resigned ourselves to the summei dust that is always with us when w< travel at this time, and so made om way home.