MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

GENIUS OF THE MOARI. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) At an annual convention of Justices of the Peace, a well educated Maori lady, who had ben elected to that position of honour, distinguished herself both by the brevity of. her remarks and their astute reference to the subject under discussion. Seldom indeed does a British speaker or writer who learns the Maori language, succeed in attaining the same degree of eloquence as in his own mother tongue We can quote only two instances, Sir George Grey and Elsdon Best.

On the other hand, men of Maori descent, educated in English, carry with it the eloquence of their own ideal language. Carrol, Buck, Pomare, Hare Hongi, Ngata and a score of others may be quoted as outstanding examples, not only as orators but for their logic and philosophy. The same difference applies to arts, crafts, poetry an.d even domestic science. The lady Justice above referred to, entertained some 60 delegates for the afternoon at her home, where simplicity, good taste and courtesy were outstanding features. Later on, to indicate that with the acquirement of our domestic habits and taste, she had not forgotten the virtues of her own race, she prepared an ideal Maori meal of kumera, puha and pip (sweet potato, Maori cabbage and shellfish) steamed on hot stones in an underground umu (oven) and served in bright green little flax baskets. The food was eaten frm Nature’s only implements for which European serviettes damp and dry were thoughtfully provided.