| Show SCENES IN AUCKLAND new zealand april lath 1896 for the first three months hui tau tati 0 annual conference has been the bye word woo in the agitation has been almost universal for the invitation was extended to all the following announcement no is self explanatory Taho Re irth 1896 ki ki nga hapu ki nga reo ki nga hui huinga heinga ta gata E hoa holmia mia tena bouton he dowhin atu tenet benei i a bouton i nga tane i nga i nga tam ariki kia tae finana mai bouton ki tahoraiti Taho nei ka tu te hui 0 te bahi 0 ihu 0 nga ra 0 muri mei ki tana a te toru 0 nga ra 0 aperila 0 te tau 1896 NA tz TE the free translation of the above is to all nations kindreds tongues and peoples greeting this is an invitation to all men women and children to come personally to the annual conference of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints alai to Con convene velie at Tho he 3rd ard day of april 1896 11 te to the natives that meant much because it came from one who could speak with authority te is one of the most influential chiefs in ia the north island and a thorough latter day saint on the morning of april 3rd ard the force of his call was clearly demonstrated by the presence of more mor ethan than maoris laoris hail ing from both islands who had come to participate with the saints in their annual co conference inference the flag of the huil hui floated on the breeze and flung out a welcome to all the air was filled with merriment and joy beamed on every countenance As train after train came in the war dancers dressed in their gaudy uniforms with faces grotesquely painted went out to greet them and bid them welcome with bowed head and solemn tread the visitors walked silently to the caniga A sudden halt and the heartfelt tan tangi gil burst forth in loud though loving tones when the foundation of tears was exhausted the whar whai kopeah commenced and continued until both parties had exchanged their love greetings no sooner was our tangi over than another began for crowds of people kept coming all day every convenience had been arranged for the accommodation of elders and vis ining saints and friends an elegant new house had been erected especially for the brethren from zion and to be used also as a council room lovely maori mats were spread all along either side upon which to sit during the day and to sleep upon during the night thirty seven new blankets and shawls had been purchased by the saints of the and te branches to make beds for the elders and for the european brethren and sisters A large dining hall was erected last year through the entire length of the house on both sides were tables elegantly deco sated with fine linen cloths claths and an abundance of artificial and natural flowers the twenty five waiters were all dressed in beautiful uniforms and though they were all natives none could have performed their duties better than they the domestic organization was most complete throughout everybody knew their place and notwithstanding the stormy weather there was naught but the ever cheerful performance ot of duty vii remie duncan was the chief cook and under his supervision were all the sub cooks waiters dishwashers firemen etc two hundred and seventy five persons could be accommodated at once and often they were compelled to set three tables the elders from zion and european saints occupied a table by themselves and had special waiters waiter though at times they would mix up with the maoris laoris it was indeed interesting to watch the natives bring the food the war dancers always took a prominent part and be f re each meal would perform the haki 11 the fantastic motions the hideous yells and the contortions of the body though to the more fastidious perhaps er were vulgar yet they presences pre presented an imposing scene the onlooker could not but be struck by the exact time that was kept in all the movements it must have required weeks and weeks of drill these performances were given pally by the members of the church of england though a number of the saints tao took parte part much credit and praise is due our outside friends for the valuable and friendly assistance they rendered both by way of labor and furnishing tood food and other means the members of the two churches met in counsel and completed all arrangements the church of england members offering to assists assist yet giving all control to the saints the very best of feelings existed throughout though three meetings were held each day both young and old enjoyed them selves in various outdoor amusements the elders played two exciting gameson games of base ball which resulted in almost disabling them insomuch that some could scarcely walk to meeting with some som however we think it was put on because when the dinner bell rang each muscle seemed to receive receive sudden strength and every nerve additional power so that every man walked uprightly and rapidly to his post at the table after dinner it was the same old limp 9 tuesday afternoon was set apart especially ally for sports A number of nice prizes were purchased to be given the winners in the various events youad douai middle aged and old took part and all was high excitement two literary and musical entertain ments were given by the elders to which all were invited this is a new feature of conferences in and we think a most pleasant as well as instructive one of course we did not torge tour our good natured theological discussions and our old time lime mock trials in fact all was enjoyment peace and loving kindness ness with a desire to advance in such principles as tend to ennoble mankind we must not forget to mention the pleasant and spirited meetings held in im the new house with our european brethren and sisters who could not understand der stand maori three such meetings were held during the conference besides these a series of most successful meetings was held at Danevic Dane vicka kea european settlement of about 1000 inhabitants and situated three miles from tamaki on tuesday evening all the native brethren met to consider the arrangements for the annual conference in 1897 various leading chiefs were anxious to call it to their districts after con sid erable discussion it was finally decided that the aai tau next year should be held in the confer ence the expenses to be borne by the waipu waiau mahia poverty bay wairau kairau and hawkes bay districts A committee with a chairman was appointed and sustained to take lead in making all necessary arrangements the exact place lor for meeting has not yet been definitely decided but it will he be either at kapawai or te creore at both of which places are large and convenient buildings and good accommodations elders F W ellis george W lewis E 0 best robert H bodily lorander Ly rander C and sister louie K pond all having filled faithful missions were honorably released to return home and with a large e company of emigrating saints win sail from sidney for zion per S S warrimoo moo on may on wednesday morning the saints and elders began to disperse it was with reluctance they separated the bongi and hearty handshaking were freely indulged in and the warm tears rolled down the cheeks as they clasped the parting hand the conference was now every heart wag full fru of ind and adoration to god for the glori yf ous opportunities enjoyed may the tu iu 1 ture bring many more such happy JOHNSON clerk |
