AT PARIHAKA.

Patea Mail, 23 September 1880, Page 3

AT PARIHAKA.

Writing of the great meeting on the 17th, a witness says :—The preparations for the feast had been carried out on an extensive scale, no less than IB head of cattle and 100 pigs being slaughtered. There was also an abundance of dried fish, potatoes, bread, and other varieties of food. Te Whiti addressed the people in a calm and unimpassioned manner, dwelling for the most part on the peculiar doctrines of religion which ho has from time to time instilled into the minds of his people, and which have produced such wonderful faith and obedience on the part of his followers. He directed the attention of his hearers to the necessity of living pure lives, and to adhere to his doctrines in spite ofimprisonment and arrest. He prophesied that the end of the world was nigh at hand, and the Prince of Peace would then reign. He would not permit his people to fight with thepakeha ; they must endure their present trials with forbearance, and they would hereafter reap their reward. He said there would be no more prisoners taken, and explained that ho had separated the living from the dead, meaning that the men who had been taken prisoners were the dead, and when they were released then the end of the world would be closest hand. Tohu followed, and spoke for about forty minutes. His speech was characterised by remarkable sentiments of friendliness towards the Europeans. He upbraided some of the natives for having been wanting in hospitality towards the pakeha visitors at last meeting, and said they should treat Europeans with respect. He concluded by saying that no matter what the Government said or did, he (Tohu) was the only one that knew what would happen. After the speeches were concluded, the natives amused themselves and their visitors by dancing a haka. The Europeans present state that they received every attention from the natives, and were entertained most cordially. The notorious Hiroke was roving about Parihaka, less than two miles from the A. C. camp, in perfect security, and apparently not the least apprehensive of his liberty being imperilled by the presence of the Constabulary. He was dressed' in European fashion, and had a silk handkerchief tied round his head, as a badge of distinction.—Taranaki Herald.