Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-04-20
The New Zealand Natives.


The men are tall and well formed, the
features regular, complexion from a
light brown to darker shades of that ool-
or, hair black and generally straight
Many of them are splendid looking fell
lows; with their muscular and well
formed limbs they look every inch the
noble savage. Their powers of endur-
ance are very great; they are intelli-
gent. quick to learn, and have splendid
memories. In trade they are shrewd
in morals licentious.
They are very inquisitive set.
When / was living in Auckland, Ma
orr was one day passing the store and
saw me working a sewing machine; he
appeared very much interested, came
in and watched me some time, and then
went away. An hour after he came
back with several companions, and l
was requested to work the machine
again. For week l had no peace all
the Maoris, l think, for miles around,
came to see the machine, and at last
they became such a nuisance that
would not allow them in the store.
Some of them are good speakers,
and very clever III argument. They
must have clear space of at least thirty
feet, and ut every sentence the speaker
runs, jumps, and dances down this
space. Running backward he gains
time to think of what shall follow, and
down he comes, dancing, with another
sentence. AS warriors, they are superb
or to any savage nation in the world.
They have studied war rs a science !;
have good knowledge of engineering,
and are brave and active.
At bush-tighting one Maori Is more
than match for five soldiers. In all
other countries that England has col
onized little regard has been paid to
the claim Of the natives to their own
land but. in New Zealand, Government
was forced to acknowledge the claims
of the Maoris. At Wellington / once
saw rather comical sight, showing
how the chiefs ape the whites. The
steamer was just about to sail, when
hurrying down the wharf came Maori,
dressed as follows: "a black frock- coat,
black waistcoat, black silk hat, white
shirt and fancy neck-tie in one hand
an umbrella andin the other new port
manteau; but without 210ntotoons or
boots They were probably in the port
manteau. All travellers carried bag
gage, so he thought he must do it,
even if it necessitated the taking off
some of his clothing.
The Maori mode of salutation is
somewhat peculiar, aud especially so
when the friends have not met for
some time. Instead of shaking hands
or kissing, they rub noses together Tor
several minutes, and then, sitting on
the ground, sway their bodies to and
fro, all the time shedding tears copi-
ously, and talking most mourufully
in sing-song strain. The crying is
not necessarily because some relative or
friend has died, it is simply CUSTOM
of the people.
They begin their war-dance by Jump
ing, clapping the hands on the thigs,
and giving utterance to a short, pecu-
liar noise from the throat, like ''Hu
Hui" They all keep perfect time il
this, and as they continue the motions
become quicker and moro exciting.
Soon come horrible grimaces, rolling of
the eyes until the whites only can be
seen, thrusting out the tongue, and yell.
ing in their fury and excitement they
sometimes tear off what clothing they
may have on, and with violent gestures
and contortions of the body they con
tinue until exhaustion compels them to
desist. "Ltte iaa tie Connjbd1
Islands," in Sentiments for AprI