A MAORI CORONATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1031, 26 November 1912, Page 3

A MAORI CORONATION.

Auckland, November 25

Mahuta was buried aud his son Te Rata was crowned “ king ” at Waahi yesterday. Three thousand people gathered iu the villlage square. The funeral procession was headed by a native baud, and led by women dressed in black with green boughs twisted round their bodies as a sign of mourning. The native clergy were iu white surplices. The young king was dressed iu European clothes and attended by relatives aud advisers, also _iu European clothes, each wearing also a large feather mat. . Some of his followers were dressed according to the old customs ot the race, but generally the clothes were typical of the gradual merging of the Maori.

The ceremony was almost entirely religious, the form being Methodist and Church of England. It was conducted by Maori clergymen. Psalms were chanted, the singing being exceedingly good. Rev. Popere preached the sermon from the text “ Fear God, honour the King.”

The crowniug of Mahuta’s successor was performed by Tupu Tai Ngakawa, whose ancestor was known as the King-maker. Tupu said in the days of old the kings were anointed with oil, but since the advent of Christianity they had beeu anointed with the word of God, in token of which he placed au open Bible ou the young King’s head. He reminded the King of the celebrated saying of his ancestor Potatau, “ Keep the law and love the people,” aud Tawhiao’s “ Though ye be dark ou the outside see that ye keep your hearts pure aud spotless.” Following on this came typical Maori songs aud greetings from various sections of the new King’s subjects and a dinner, which was an elaborate feast, to which both Maoris aud Europeans were invited.