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Show A New Zealand Feast. Long ago, eo theetory riinn of the fcUtooed Maori chirf, when tho white man Mad JJrst conuu!nr.ed to crowd un from our home, our Ung wa chosen. After few yeara ot peace cauih war. Wo were a rat ) tuple (hen. Many n whim man fell before our fcturdy b'owH, lwt.ow our riimny dwella upon oiyr laudw and pleasant fields. Potataii add Tawhiao liave gone to the world oj Bpirlte, Kinjf Mnhunvetill lives, in him we hopa for refit. Kut, addfl the hoAry sire, the white man has taught us hla wny. The glory of our father is gone, yeara age, tho tattoo, the llaeky feather, the war dance and battle cry were our delight. Today the ribbons and vanities of tlm European adorn our madiens. Now we gather to djacusa tbe lawi of the -white nian'a government, before we gloried in tho etoriea of the chiefton'a bravery. King Mahuta has called hie people to a foaa',. With tho 1,500 Maorles gathered at ha village are the 8 Utah boys of Wuikato dietrict. Corn and potatoes are hurVuncd, pork and beef are fat and the fi&h of the. atreainB and rivers have not yet sought their winter home. Tho frosts are turning the leaves to their golden yellow. Tho New Zealand fog hides nature's fading beauties till the autumn suu of noonday chaBee it awav. Ton a of focd have been sent from all parti) of tho nation ; dried fish, eels, pork, beef, potatoes, sweet po'atooa, etc, etc; Tfio"oncequltevillagey,now',preVent8 tho picture of a great gipsy camp. As the visitor approncheajthe men, women and children of tho village, each waving a green bough, greet them with-thc uhiill prolonged cry of Hanrc inai (pronounced Hita mi). This is followed by thc(haka) or a pecnlar chanted song which says: "Bring to na your sorrows mid deaths that wo may mourn together." to-gether." Tho visitor has now touched the gniBy gquarf . A few moments of silence and ttien a pqarcing, mournful cry goes hsMiward. 'Tie tho Maori nation weeping for its dead. 'Tis the emotion of the soul stirred upjin memory of the past glory, of honored sires and ehieftaua. Short speeches by the chief follow, after which tho natives of the village form in a ciicle and the visitors paa'i around to hongi. Table cloths are noxt vpread with plates, cups, baucers, etc. in noiicle auHicicntly large to accommodate ac-commodate our or five hundred people, tuul soon the sweet, wholesome food of the -Maori iionei ffood steamed over boated rouka) with the pastries of the European tablo are Herved. Morning comes and around the smok ing llres ihu women arc preparing the food. The men leasucly ariBe, smoke their pipes and wrapped in their blankets await the morning meal This past-ami a bell tolls for morning ptayer. The different churches hold short soi vices. Up in the grasssy plot the people now sit in a circle to discuss tho works of the government and of their king. Sixty minutes talk and u lu'urty upplausu is given the chief, hd making reedy his pipe calls a stop. A maori nation of pipes are at ence in uao. This habit satisfied tho talk continues. Tho chiefs only are permitted to talk. Sensational fights are here unknown ' ititbuits ruled of older" are never ueimul. At night aftor church semcua thu young pcoplo dance around the bright fired to the niuuio of theaccordean while the older ones delight to he in their blankets, Hinoke their pipeH and talk. Five billaul tables, the favoiite pastime, slao furnish recreation for the Maori! youth. A brass hand ot ten Maori young men and Euiopean leader were in attendance and everv fnre seemed to carry its sunbeams of delight and happv new. On Sunday billard tables, etc. wcicrloRed utuf church services held Drunkeness and swearing were strictly prohibited A week.cf feasting and the tribe' returns to their homes. Maotiea feast while tiny least if afterwards they taust go hunger. Francis W. Kirkham. Njamawnbia, Waikato, New Zealand. |