ASTONISHING THE NATIVES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1008, 23 September 1882, Page 1

ASTONISHING THE NATIVES.

All tho Maoris who went to England some months ago (says an exchange) failed cgregiously in their mission. It would seem that Wircmu Puhi, Te Hihi, and his friends have been a source of considerable interest and • amusement to the inhabitants of London. Impudent street cads, irritating and irrepressible, have followed at their heels admiring the pictorial tatooing of the elder chief and jeering at bis companion. Wherever tho New Zealanders have paused in the streets to stare at the sights they have been surrounded by a gaping crowd. On one occasion- the spectators wire a tiifle taken aback, and the New Zealanders had the best of it. One of the party who ads as interpreter, by name. Hirini Tuiwhanga, was educated at Bishop Selwyn’s home, and was also a pmpil of Bislnp Abraham, and ordinary to the Bishop of Lichfield, Lie may be said, therefore, to have had a sound and theological training, and to be fully qualified to preach and expound . This be proved by asking permission to mount the tub of one of the many itinerant preachers who are to be frequently encountered now-a drys in the streets. The offer of the (l darkskinned brother ” was promptly accepted, whereupon Hirini Taiwhanga got into the pulpit, and treated an astonished audience to a spirited harangue in English upon the blessings of Christianity as exemplified by the advantages it has conferred upon New Zealand.