TOLOGA BAY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 289, 14 July 1875, Page 2

TOLOGA BAY.

(from our own correspondent.) July 12* A great feast was given by the Aitahga a Hauiti tribe on Monday and Tuesday last, to celebrate the marriage of the son of Hera Bangiuia, the bride being a member of the Ngaitorori hapu who live at Kaiaua about ten miles further North. The Europeans residing in the district were all asked to the feast, which took place immediately after the marriage ceremony was performed, in a large building used for boat building; tables were laid out with quantities of food, consisting of pork, preserved pigeons, &c., tea, cake, pudding, wine, spirits and beer, ad lib. Several new hakas were performed, and the whole proceedings went off remarkably well, a strict order having been given that there was to be no drunkenness amongst the entertainers. The friends of the bride, however, who were the guests, were not restricted to the quantity, but were supposed to keep in their own house, a large and substantial whare, reeded inside, and built for the occasion.

One decidedly new feature was introduced on this occasion; when the visitors were seated at dinner, one of the Natives came round with a plate—on which were several coins of the realm, —soliciting contributions; all were supposed to subscribe, but two or three Europeans, and several of the Maoris protested, urging that it was a n unheard of proceeding amongst pakehas on such an occasion. It was of no use to argue with them about it, the answer invariably was it was to do something to the Church. Some £2OO was spent by the Natives for this feast; the greater part, of course, for grog. On Sunday there was some little excitement occasioned by the capture of a'-whale of the humpback species, by the whalers stationed; at the North head of the bay, the first, I believe, that has been captured this season on the coast. There areitwo boatsand crews, one belonging to Butler a Native of this place, and the other to Mr. Mullooly, Mr. Thompson being in command of it. This boat is quite new, having been built by Mr. Thompson, and fitted with every appliance requisite for whaling purposes, and she also carries a gun which has been imported from America for the purpose of shooting whales. The chase was a very exciting one, both boats starting in pursuit; Butler’s was the first to come up to the whale, which the headsman harpooned, but the lance drew. Thompson’s boat then made a vigorous spurt, and with the united efforts of both crews, the whale was towed successfully to the trying out place. A great many Europeans went to see the landing of it, but were disappointed as the whale, grounded about 100 yards from the shore, on account! of its being nearly low water. A curious incident connected with Native) superstition happened. Whilst waiting for the boats to land, no one was allowed to go near the water’s edge, until an old Native tohunga (priest) had mumbled a lot of incantations supposed to propitate good luck. The yield of oil it is said will be about three tuns.