TOHUNGAISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 2 November 1907, Page 2

TOHUNGAISM.

Nice Goings on at Motuiti. How often do we hear the lament that the splendid native race is dying out. Rotten European customs have had a good deal to do with this fact but the diabolical practices of the Tohunga are in a great measure also responsible for a number of deaths. Several deaths have recently taken place at Motuiti, so it is alleged, through the practices of two tohungas. They are brothers, and their names are Teira and Kau Hoterene. They both claim to possess supernatural powers, and hold communion with taipos (spirits.) Some of the advice tendered by the taipos through their mediums, Teira and Kau, for the cure of certain ills that flesh is heir to, have had, it is alleged, fatal results. Recently there has been an epidemic of influenza at the pah. Two little children were suffering from the complaint, and the tohungas recommended dipping them in cold water. One child died on Thursday night as a result of this treatment, and the other now lies in a precarious condition.

One of the leading natives, after having warned the tonhungas time and again, to cease their practices, came into town this morning and placed the matter in the hands of the police. He stated, in the presence of our representative and Constable F. Woods, that the night before last a little girl, one year old, daugh- W. ter of Akuera, died after f being dipped several times in cold water and that another child treated in a simihar manner was now lying in a precarious condition. Both children had been suffering from influenza. The tohungas performed an incantation in Maori and broken English and carried on as if demented. After the death of the girl one of the tohungas rushed about outside trying to catch the spirit of the departed child, the while bawling imprecations at the laipo. It was this mad carrying on that aroused our informant and his household. He told the tohungas that it was his intention to put a stop to the whole business. He also informed the police that if the matter is brought before a magistrate he will expose the whole business. This morning the body of the dead infant and the sick one were / removed from Motuiti to Oroua Ls Bridge. _ % Constable Woods has communicated with headquarters and further developments are expected.