CUSTOMS OF THE MAORI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1939, Page 8

CUSTOMS OF THE MAORI

ADDRESS TO FEATHERSTON LEAGUE OF MOTHERS. (“Times-Age” Special.) At its first meeting of inc year yesterday the Featherston League of Mothers’ heard a most interesting address by Mrs H. D. Bennett, of Wellington, on the life and customs of the Maori people. The meeting was held in the Featherston Parish Hall. There was a splendid attendance of members. Mrs Archie Clark (president) was in the chair.

Mrs Bennqtt held her hearers enthralled as she described vividly the ways of life of the old-time Maori, in peace and in war, before the white man had come to New Zealand. She told many traditional and other stories and made known'to her audience something of the elaborate social and tribal organisation and religious life of the Maoris. At the season of sowing and on many other occasions the Maoris always sought the favour of their gods. An aspect fit Maori life with which Mrs Bennett dealt >in some detail was the cultivation and manufacture of flax. She not only exhibited baskets and mats made from flax, but demonstrated how the flax leaves were scraped with shells, the resultant fibre, „ when that was desired, being as fine as silk. Commanding a most attentive hearing throughout, Mrs Bennett was thanked very heartily for her,address and demonstration.

Mrs Bennett was accompanied by Mrs Cameron, Wellington Provincial Secretary of the League of Mothers, who also briefly addressed the meeting and brought greetings from the Provincial Council, and Mrs Jansen, who brought greetings from the Island Bay League, of which she is president.