PARIHAKA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 266, 20 March 1911, Page 8

PARIHAKA

VISIT OF HON. JAMES CARROLL. | RESPECT TO THE DEPARTED j PROPHETS. ' j (By Our Special Reporter.) Parihaka! To those who have known it in the past, Parihaka is associated with much that is of more than passing interest. Jt was here that Te Whiti, the duskv chieftain-prophet, the Messiah of ' the Maori race, appealed to the hearts of his people, and built for himself a stronghold where he reigned an undisputed monarch for a couple of decades. In later years his power was challenged by the uprising of his chief lieutenant, Tohu. For several years these two prophets, with their different creeds, claimed the attention of the natives, and a strange rivalry sprang up; each prophet had his own large following, and although there was no actual hostility between the rival parties, each was as distinct from the other as it was possible for two factions of on> people to be. One sometimes wonders whether there did not exist a sulille understanding between the two prophets, and if Tohu was allowed to enter the arena in order to create a rivalry, without which the interest and the allegiance of the natives could not, perhaps, have been sustained. Be that as it may, it is certain that with the advent of Tohu the natives throughout the Dominion took a keener interest in the savings and teachings of the two potentates. The seventeenth day 'of each month was set aside for the gathering of the natives within the village of Parihaka, and it was on these occasions that the two sooth-saycrs held sway by haranguing the assemblages and quoting to them the various legends and mysterious incantations that are part and parcel of the Maori mythology. Once a year, in the month of March, representative pilgrims of the various tribes throughout the Dominion journeyed to Parihaka, the Mecca of the Maori, to take part m the proceedings and listen, with keen appreciation and rapt attention to the strange sayings of these two high priests. Despite the fact that at least one of the- prophets had assured his followers of his immortality, these two remarkable men were, in the fulness of time, laid to rest. Most of our readers will remember that ivnen Te Whiti died, many of his followers, especially the old men and women, fully believed that he would rise again from the dead. This illusion, however, has been entirely dispelled, and Te Whiti's remains now lie entombed under a splendid monument situated in the marae (courtyard) in front of hi.* old meetinghouse. Tohu's remains lie in the Maori cemetery on the hillside, and the spot is not marked by any such emblem of former power as that placed over his great rival. Parihaka of to-day is but a faint echo of its former self. In the old days the village contained many inhabitants. Accommodation houses on a fine scale were kept open for native and pakeha visitors. Bake-houses were kept in full swing, while water and drainage schemes were in evidence. Billiard saloons, amusement houses and shops did good business. To-day its grandeur has faded away. The village presents a melancholy and almost desolate aspect. But for the touch of the oriental that characterises most old Maori settlements, it might be likened to Goldsmith's "Deserted Village." The bustle has departed. Most of the inhabitants, especially the younger generation, are leaving the village, and taking up sections of the adjacent land, where they build houses and engage in farming pursuits. No new prophet has appeared. The natives would not tolerate such an institution now. Even before the demise of the prophets their sway of influence had vastly diminished, owing to the thinning of the ranks of the old folks. The younger generations have little or no veneration for the ancient mysteries and lore of their people, and seem to fully recognise that any benefit to the remnant of the race must come about by each individual striking out for himself. The day of communal interests is] practically over, and with the ceasing of the Parihaka influence a much better] and more desirable condition of things is manifesting itself. During the past few days there has been a gathering of natives at Parihaka] which will probably be the last import- [ ant one of its kind. On the 17th inst. (the usual big day of the year) some three or four hundred natives assembled at Parihaka. One of our representatives journeyed there on Saturday morning, and upon arrival learned that the Hon. James Carroll, acting-Premier and Minister for Native Affairs, and others were expected to arrive at Parihaka that day. The party consisted of the' Hon. James Carroll, Mrs. Carroll and Miss Carroll, Te Heu Heu (representing the Ngatiwharctoa tribe around Taupo), Mrs. Te Heu Heu, Miss Te Heu Heu, Tutanekai (a chief of the Rotoruas), Takarangi or Mete Kingi (Wanganui), Te Rohan (Wanganui), Mr. T. W. Fisher i (Under-Secretary for Native Affairs),! and Mr. J. B. 'jack (president of the Aotea Maori Land Board). Amongst other visitors were Dr. Pomare, the Rev. T. G. Hammond, and the Rev. Robert Haddon. The visit of the Ministerial party was quite unofficial, and the object of their call was to pay the' final respects of the tribes they represented' to the memory of the departed prophets, in accordance with old Maori custom. It was stated by several of tiiose in authority that the Te Whiti and Tohu factions had become one united whole,' and that the hatchet had been buried for ever and a day. Such, however, did not quite prove to be the case. As is usual when distinguished visitors arrive, the natives assembled in the courtyard and waited with due solemnity. The two factions being united, it had been decided to have the party escorted to To Whiti's courtyard. Scouts had been placed at the entrance of the village to herald the approach of the visitors. All was serenely quiet, until a long drawn note was sounded by a woman's voice from one of the hilltops This wa.s the signal for all to sent themselves around the courtyard, or, rather, all with the exception'of a few children and sundry stray mongrels The latter were kept a war'by the° perspiring effort* of an old Maori, who was armed" with a stockwhip that would have sliced the refractory canines into

sandwiches had they allowed themselves tp be caught napping. The old "whip," however, could never get a cut into anything but the gravel. The native?, especially the young ones, love to adorn themselves in fine garb, and the diversity of dress was, of course. a striking feature. A few old men and' women wore the old-time costume of flax, .blankets, and feathers in the hair, and so forth. The damsels were attired in all the striking colors known, while some of the young bloods were resplendent in speckled vest, vermillion sox, and hair smoothed down with pomade and other mysterious preparations. Those acquainted with Parihaka know that there are two entrances to the village, one of these leading to the late Te Whiti's quarters, and the other to Tohu's. An old custom of the place was that whichever party first accosted or welcomed a visitor, that visitor was the guest of that particular party for the time being. On Saturday it so' happened that a Tohu party first met the visitors, who were escorted, not to Te Whiti's courtyard, where the reception committee was, but to that of Tohu. This, of course, upset arrangements for a short while. Maori etiquette, however, prevailed, and the gathering quickly transferred itself to the scene of operations. Here the quaint, weird Maori welcome was given by a number of native women dressed in mourning emblems. After a short time, speeches were given, first by the Parihaka orators, and then the other side. Most of the speakers recited ancient Maori stories and legends. For an hour and a half oration succeeded oration, after which the tea gong was sounded. In the evening the visitors proceeded to the Te Whiti portion of the settlement, where a second welcome was accorded them. Interviewed as to whether there was any special object or significance attached to the visit, members of the Ministerial party stated that no pronouncement would be made relative to land matters. The Hon. Mr. Carroll stated that he was .delighted, with his trip to this part of the country, and with the very cordial reception extended to him everywhere. The Hon. Mr. Carroll and party are expected to arrive in New Plymouth some time to-day.