“KING” TERATA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 78, 25 November 1912, Page 6

“KING” TERATA.

I A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. QUAINT MAORI. CORONATION. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, November 25. Mahuta was buried and his son Terata crowned “King” at Waahi yesterday, when 3000 people gathered in the village square. The procession was led by a native band and led by a woman dressed in black with green boughs twisted round her body as a sign of mourning. The native clergy, wore white surplices. The young King was dressed in European clothes, and attended by relatives and advisors, also in European clothes, each wearing also a largo feather mat. Some of the followers were dressed according to the old custom of the race, but, generaiy, were clothed in styles typical of the gradual merging of the Maori. The ceremony was almost entirely a religious one in the form of the Methodist Church and the Church of England services, and was conducted by Maori clergymen. Psalms were chanted, the singing being exceedingly good. The Rev. Popere preached a sermon, taking 'as his text, “Fear God, honour the King.” The crowning of*Mahuta’s successor was performed by Tupu Taingakawa, whoso ancestor was known as the Kingmaker. Tupu said that in days of old kings were uunoiuted with but since the advent of Christianity they had been annointed by the Word of God, in token of which he placed an open Bible on the young King’s head, at the same time reminding the King of the celebrated saying of his ancestor Potataus: — “Keep the law, love the people, and Tawhiaos. Though ye be dark on the outside, see ye keep your hearts pure and spotless.” Following on this came typical Maori songs and greetings from various sec- | tions of the new King’s subjects, them ; came dinner, which was an elaborate m feast to which both Maoris and Europeans were invited.