MAORI AND PAKEHA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 313, 11 January 1908, Page 2

MAORI AND PAKEHA.

o EXCHANGING HOSPITALITY AT MOKAU. The hospitality of the Maori in the old days was proverbial, and the new generation is not behind. On Christmas Day, writes our correspondent, the Mokau and some East Coaßt natives that have been in the district shearing at Messrs Mattley's and King's stations, entertained the white residents at Awakino quite royally. A return was given by the pakehas in the Mokau Hall on Wednesday evening last, and the proceedings were characterised by the best of feeling between the two races. Speeches yerf gjyen by three of the elder Maor. -.' it -of whom, expressed the hope thai ; : -vc of friendship planted recently between the two races would grow to a great size. Me«grs Jennings,

M.P., and S. Percy Smith were invited to addres9 the assemblage, and both expressing pleasure at the good feeling shown. Mr Smith' Stated he had gone through Mokau an 3 up the river on to Tiiupo Just fifty years ago. The advantage of education was shown in the demeanor of the East Coast natives at the gathering. Some of them had been to Te Auts College, and during the evening they gave some excellent songs, both solo -and part singing. One native from Utiku had a costly Highland dress on which had been presented to him by Mr Battley, senr. Though deaf and dumb, he gave a cakewalk and Scotch dance that were remarkable, owing to the excellent time he kept to the music. i