HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 11, 4 January 1907, Page 2

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS.

Maori Wedding at Te Kuiti

New Year's Day was a gala day among the Maoris at Te Kuiti. For some time past it had been arranged that a number of weddings should be celebrated at the meeting house, and friends, from far and near, were invited to grace the occasion. However, as the day approached, it was decided that only one wedding should take place, and llikaka Hetet and Roti, daughter of Te Puaha, of Kawhia, were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony. In addition to the marriage celebrations, the occasion was regarded as a return function to the Maoris at Otorohanga, who entertained visitors, from far and near, on Christmas Day. Preparations for the event were undertaken on a large scale, and nothing .vas left undone, which made for the comfort of the visitors. (iiva.t crowds arrived by train on Monday evening, and these were augmcnUd by a strong contingent from Mangapchi and Taumarunui on Tuesday morning, by which time there were i'uiiy 600 Natives assembled. At an early hour all were astir, and hum and bustle reigned supreme at the Maori house. At twelve o'clock the wedding was to take place, and shortly before that hour the bridal party drove up and were received with acclamation. The Rev. Haimona Hapimana performed the ceremony. The bride looked extremely well, and was attired in a white silk dress, with bridal veil to match, and carried the time honoured bouquet. Among those present at the ceremony wese Messrs George Hetet, j. T." Hetet, 11. Held, J. Ormsbv of Otorohanga, Hauparoa, When/ Whero, Aorangi, Mr and Mrs A. Kkeionc, and numerous friends of both bride and bridegroom. After the ceremony, a poi dance was given by the Maori maidens and was greatly appreciated, the performers understanding their work thoroughly, and it is not too much to say that the performance has seldom been equalled in the King Country. The. festivities wove kept up until Thursday, when most of the Natives departed for Hangatiki, where a number of weddings are to be celebrated to-day (I r riday).