RAGLAN. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 185, 17 July 1873, Page 2

RAGLAN. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The usual monotony of this little settlement was broken through yesterday, owing to a wedding which took place at one of the native settlements, where great preparations had been marlc for dajs previous for the coming event. The ceremony was performed in the Maori language by the Rev C. H. Sehuackenborg, in a large ranpo hou-o erected at this settlement for a church. During the service the building wns crowded to excess by the natives, about 200 of whom had assembled to do honour to the occasion. Many of our European ladies were nlso present and appeared to enjoy the novelty of the scene. The bride was the daughter of Kcreopa to Apa of Aotea, an exceedingly stubborn Hauhau chief, and the bridegroom was the son of Wetmi Mahikai, a friendly chief of the Tainui tribe. The bride, bridegroom, and bridesmaids were dressed ci la pakeha in gorgeous array. The parties operated upon appeared ill at ease, and one could almost fancy that they were prisoners on trial at the bar of justice instead of a happy couple tying the Gordian knot ut the Hymenal altar. It sounded rather grotebque when the minister asked, "Who gives this woman," etc., to hear a cry of "all of us" from the assemblage. After theyoung couple had been tied up for better or for worse, 'lie church was cleared, and many dusky waiters commenced la\ ing tables for their gue«ts — both Pakeha and Maori. As usual with all things Ma)ri, there were- too many ccoks, but, notwithstanding this, about thirty Europeans bat down and pirtook of their hospitality. At the conclusion of the " kai " Mr Schnackenberg, in a short speech, said he trusted the parents and other relatiws of the joung couple would take care that a house was set a<»ide exclusively for their use, and also that the wholo of the natives should have separate sleeping apartment-". It would, indeed, be a step in the right direction if we could inculcate this idea into their heads, and get them to adopt it throughout all their Bcttli'ments, instead of packing themsehes in the unen lhzed manner they do at present, into one house like so many sardines, which, to say nothing of the immorality, must bo very injurious to their health. It is to bt 1 hoped tliat tho natives will prize their church, making frequent use of the same, and profit by the indefatigable exertions of their pastor. Kawhia Hauhaus still visit this settlement with pigs. Thry must ha\e sold upwards of 500 this season. Williamson, I think, will be first favorite for the S-uperin-tendencycup The votes here are not numerous enough to make much alterntion in the state of the poll. No one has as yet como forward as a representative for this district in the Provincial Council. I suppose it will be some outsider as heretofore. Thero are three or four settlers in this district who would make tolerable representatives, but their ambition does not appear to take a political turn. Kaglun, July 12, 1873.