OPENING OF MAORI CHURCH AT AKUAKU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 144, 30 May 1884, Page 2

OPENING OF MAORI CHURCH AT AKUAKU.

In accordance with the invitations issued throughout the East Coast, a large concourse of people — Europeans and Natives — assembled at the village of Akuaku to celebrate tha opening of the Maori church. The 28th was the dated fixed for the meeting, on which day large parties of pedestrians and equestrians poured into the village. As each party neared the place of assembly the welcoming troupe of females ranged themselves up in a solid square of six ranks deep, singing the song of greeting and welcome, and performing in time to the song the graceful haka. To the uninitiated this is a very pretty but uncouth performance. As soon as the female troupe had finished their performance and glided off to the flank, a party of athletic young men, stripped for the haka, was revealed crouching upon the ground like a lot of young tigers ready for the spring. This signal was given by the singer or fugleman, and the performance of the haka began. This was very effective, the men being evidently well trained and keeping splendid time with limb and voice to the monotonous tone of the song. Many new motions and words had been introduced into the performance, and the general opinion of those accustomed to these matters agreed the haka was a good one. At about 8 a.m. on Wednesday the Rosina appeared in sight, bringing the Gisborne visitors. The laige standard of Ngatiporou, called Porourangi, was then hoisted to the mast-head, together with the Ensign Jack. Many of the people gathered upon the beach to receive the Pakehu visitors, among whom were Messrs. Sheehan, Rees, Carrick, Captain Porter, Major Ropata, Messrs. Stubbs, Whitmore, Cooper, and others. On nearing the village the Haka of welcome was again repeated, and at its conclusion the Pakehas scattered themselves among various groups of Natives. The supply of food was extravagantly abundant, bullocks, sheep, and pigs being particularly conspicuous, hanging upon the poles in the village in great quantities. On Thursday a meeting for korero was held, at which Messrs. Sheehan, Rees, and others were invited to attend. Many of the chiefs spoke words of welcome to all, and, after a distribution of gifts of food, the Pakehas left per Rosina at 12 o’clock, amidst the “ haereras ” of the Natives.

The church of Akuaku, erected by the Natives themselves, is a pretty little structure, and does credit to the architectural capabilities of the Natives in adopting the European style of building.