NATIVE WEDDING CELEBRATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4698, 18 April 1894, Page 2

NATIVE WEDDING CELEBRATION.

A large number of visitors (Nativee and Europeans) wore present at (he Te Ore Ore Pali last evening to take part in tha festivities acooidfd to Tawhiao Te Tau and bis newly wedded bride, fleihana, Titoie. The ceremony of " cutting the nedding oaks" was to be performed, and a wejoome waß extented to all to participate iu the good things, provided for the occasion. Soon after eight o'olook, numbeis -of conveyances arrived from Mastcrton, with gm-ats, and a band of instrumentalists who were engaged to"; provide tie m'usio. :■■■''

Tho spapions iMetiug-houso was thronged with people, aid the proceedings opened with woids of welcpme to the visitors, and cungratuhv lionß to the-newly-married couple from the chief of the raoe, being; interpreted for the benefit of the white people by Mr Charlie Pratt. Different tribes then performed the Maori " haka" and a number of other Native dances' In the most impressive atyle, greatly to the delight Of the audience.

Thiß was kept tip for over an hour, and in.each constoutivo dance, the Natives, especially the " wahines" become more and more excited, until thsy had'every dusky warrior in the building screwing up his face, knocking himself about, and shouting warcries to his heart's oontent.

An excellent tupper was then partaken of, and the bride and bridegroom's health drunk in bumpers of good refreshing tea and light drinks —no strong drink of any kind being allowed within the precincts of the meeting-houße. The bride and bridegroom sat at the head of the table, andlooked.indeed a fine handsome pair, whilst a bevy of dusky aiaideiiß oarried the wedding oake around for everyone to partake of. The tables were loaded with eatables, laid out in the most attractive manner, and the room was daintily decorated with flowerß, evergreens, andfanoy work. Selections were played by the Band, Bongs aung, and musical iteniß rendered by the Maoris in fine style, and this being over tho floor waß cleared for danoing. Programmes of some twenty dances were placed on the wall, bearing a conspicuous notico in' bold handwriting :—" Gentlemen are requested to bebaTe themselves. By order." Mr 0. Pjatt wbb made M,C, and performed bis duties in the mo6t perfeot manner, any signs of larrikinißm being instantly suppressed by him. Splendid dance music was provided by the band, and all went merrily until the early houru of this morning. Everyone present enjoyed the hospitality of the Maoris, who certainly deserve the utmost credit for oarrying the affair through iu Buch a well-oonducted manner.