KING COUNTRY 'XMAS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 63, 3 January 1908, Page 2

KING COUNTRY 'XMAS.

Maori Wedding at Oparure. Christmas is usually a busy time with the Maoris, and the day is often taken advantage of for the purpose of conducting celebrations of more than usual interest. Christmas Day of 1907 was no exception to the rule at Oparure, and for some time past the residents of that place had been making elaborate preparations for celebrating the occasion on the liberal Maori scale. A feature of the proceedings was the wedding ceremony, between Whitikau Ataitahi, of Oparure, and Heni Te Kauwhata, of Nelson. The day was ushered in with heavy rain which continued throughout the forenoon, and notwithstandthat guests and visitors to the number of about 300 had assembled, it was proposed to postpone the celebrations until Boxing Day. However, after discussion by the interested parties, it was finally decided to proceed with tho function during the afternoon. Fortunately, as the day advanced, the rain ceased, and by half-past two, the time set for the ceremony, fine weather prevailed. When all was in readiness a bell proclaimed the fact to those assembled, and the bridal party formed a procession from the tents to the front of the meeting house. The procession was headed by the Maori fife band, which rendered the wedding march in excellent style. !Rice was in profusion, and several impetuous friends commenced to fusilade.the procession, but were hurriedly stopped. The bride was beautifully dressed in white and the usual veil and orange blossoms, and carried the customary bouquet. Four bridesmaids were in attendance — Misses Hotu (3) and Miss Ataitahi. The service was conducted by the Rev. Hone Harris, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. After the ceremony the wedding breakfast was done ample justice to. The tables were beautifully laid out, and were provftied with exceptionally good Christmas fare, while a busy band of waiters were actively employed supplying the good things to all and sundry. In the evening the Rev. Mr Harris conducted a Church service and preached an excellent sermon to the assemblage on the subject of the wedding garment. After service, tea was dispensed and speeches were delivered by the leading men. During the evening songs were nicely rendered by a chorus of girls, and the gathering broke up to the strains of " God save the King." During the afternoon a large number of visitors proceeded to Oparure from Te Kuiti, and all were hospitably entertained.