A MAORI MARRIAGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5077, 2 July 1877, Page 3

A MAORI MARRIAGE.

“Misfortunes,” it is said, “seldom come singly,” and the converse of that axiom, is equally true, if one may judge- from the recurring frequency of late of those interesting events in high life which illustrate the overmastering effects of le grand passion , as our Gallic friends emphatically phrase it. ■ One of the latest Incidents of the kind occurred in the Kaipara on the 14th Inst., when Adam Clarke Haututu, the, respected chief of the Otamatea district, led to the altar, the daughter of Aperaniko Parata, of the same place. The New Zealand Herald ■ says the ceremony was celebrated at the Wesleyan Church, Otamatea, by the Rev. W. Gittos, in the presence of a large assemblage of friends. Owing ,Jo , the stormy weather many of the 'European settlers on the river were prevented from accepting the invitations sent. (About 3 p.m. the' : rain ceased, and the settlement presented a lively appearance, as young and old hastened to the home of the bride, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. They had not long to wait, when she made her appearance, handed out by a near relative. Two bridesmaids followed, and the friends, forming a procession, started for the church, where Adam impatiently awaited the advent of his Eve. The bridegroom wore a white wedding favor, and his face beamed with satisfaction as the “ fair ” lady entered the church and went up to the aisle to meet him at the altar. The dress of the bride excited the admiration of the dusky Maori belles, who, in these matters, are quite as much exercised in spirit iis their European, sisters. It was made of pink silk, richly trimmed with white satin (train complete), and ornamented with hows of white satin, and ■ flowers of the richest description. The wreath and veil were superb ; the latter being of blonde, with border of elegant floss flowers. White kid gloves and boots completed the tout ensemble. After the ceremony the bridegroom and bride signed the church register, the happy pair receiving the congratulations of their friends. They then returned to their residence, where a sumptuous repast had been laid out, comprising all the delicacies of the season, and to which upwards of 100 guests sat down. ; The chief attraction,, as might be expected, was the bride’s cake, which weighed upwards of eighty pounds, richly iced, and ornamented with Oupid and flowers. When the feast was ended, the large room was cleared for dano-' ing, which was kept up till morning, the bridegroom sitting placidly surveyieg his bride tripping it on the “light fantastic.” As Adam is a second Daniel Lambert, his forte, like that of the great Napoleon, consists not in dancing, but in making others dance 1 ” On the following morning the bridesmaids performed the important duty of cutting up the cake and sending it to friends and others. Upwards of fifty names were on the list—amongst them Sir George Grey, the Hon. Dr. Pollen, Commissioner Kemp, the Resident Magistrate (Captain Symoncls). Nor were clerical friends forgotten ; on the list, with others, being the names of the Rev. T. Buddie and Rev. James Duller (now in England), who we learn baptised his friend Adam Clarke. The whole proceedings reflected great credit on the Maori chieftain, whose example of conformity to European customs,and usages might be profitably followed by his people, among whom ho is known ns “ a terror to evildoers, but a,praise to those who do well.”