DISEASED CATTLE IN WAIKATO. A MAORI CHRISTMAS FEAST AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1791, 29 December 1883, Page 2

DISEASED CATTLE IN WAIKATO.

A MAORI CHRISTMAS FEAST AT HAMILTON.

Our attention has been drawn to the fact, that at the present time, a number of cattle suffering from cancer are parsed around our various district cattle sales, but though always brought under the hammer, being at present so universally known to regular attendants, they have ceased to elicit a bid. These cattle are generally penned up with other cattle, seemingly regardless of consequences, though we cannot exactly, say whether or not the disease with which they are inflicted is a contagious, one. However, the principal is an exceedingly bad one, and for the sake of the district generally it would be well if tlie auctioneers would agree among themselves not on anj account to receive diseased cattle intq, their sales. As those who have them in . their possession at the present time got^them, ,\ye l presume through their deteriorating qXiali-' ties, at' a very low figure, we c'onsideV theft*' loss would' not be;a serious' one' if they conscientiously destroyed the ' urifortuiiate beasts, and thus prevent them finding their way into our local meat market.' .t t . , '- _,'«" *-.■*-< J "--1 ' 5 J '<_ The Licensed 7.butcbcrs t>f Wjajkatp arojr^jf minded that their present lieensW'expire on the 31st ipst. i '') ,J ' , i _•'.•,. i > } Messrs W. J. Hunter and, Co.. announces sin important sale' of horses from Napier at Cjira-. bridge to-day. '' ■> --< > iV >< , ;Messr*.W, Jj Hunl;cran4 Co.) advertifcs kt\ ( an4>bs<>P at'OhaUpo ist

DuiaN^the (phi!* p|| JiJ^a^s) HaiAtttoW preseffffid |ff umnmyiy ffi|t!ly ippear»ncss throug% th^reHeffijfe of £ps>ut/200 natives,., who, My; tngiinvi Jtion dßtli&chief£raqiß4 truly European raanner.$ l 'Thffi 'is the first instance we are aware of of. uatjres coining into a European community from their own kaiangos to obsei'v# what may*be termed a purely -European festival in a purely European manner ;- and the fact, we think, tviil be looked ii{t«n 7 with $&titsfa<sti«{i as showing the gradual approach of the wary aboriginal to the more prominent institutions and ways of our civilisation. Indeed, if we may venture to speak freely on the matter in one particular aspect — that of temperance— our native visitors set a very laudable example to some of our European friends, who may in all earnestness Jgrojit by .ifc. Mr. Ngahiwi's guests occupied LeQuesne's Hall during their stay here, and from their arrival to their departure the use of liquor was strictly proscribed, and the proscription as strictly observed. "On Christmas Day an excellent dinner, consisting of meats, pastry, fruits, etc., was served up in the nail, of which fully 200 persons partook. The whole affair was carried oiit in European fashion, from tile neatly-attired waiter down to the knife and fork, the latter articles being manipulated with professional precision and gracefulness. The dress and general decorum of the natives was striking in the extietne, and the manner in which the respective courses of the feast were disposed of was, to say the least, truly exemplary. The room was handsomely decorated for the occasion. We might observe that Tuesday's feast, unlike tho.se formerly enjoyed by native visitors to Hamilton, was not of the charity kind, but was altogether^ provided by themselves. In the evening the natives gave a haka in the hall, for admission to which a charge of one .shilling was made. On Boxing Night the visitors gave a performance in the hall, entitled " The Dolly," which attracted a large audience, the charge for admission on this occasion being 2s. The performance consisted of ghastly spectacles, in which murdering and murdered natives formed the principal part, and which, we were informed, was originally got up by the King during the Maori War, and written and conceived by that dignitary for the purpose <> f illuottctt.ing to the natives what they might expect if they allowed themselves to fall into the hands of the Pakehas. An imitative canoe race was another entertaining performance. The natives cloared off to their respective homes yesterday morning, having spent their holidays in a most enjoyable manner.