Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-04-20
The New Zealand Natives.

The men are tall and well formed, the
features regular, complexion from a
light brow to darker shades of that col
or, hair black and generally straight
Many of tn EN- 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 lic,sntious.
They are n 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 IN hour after he came
back with sew sral companions, and |
was requested to work the machine
again. For a week had no peace all
the Maoris, / think, for miles around,
came to see the machine, and Mt last
they became such nuisance that L
would not allow them in the store.
Some of them are good speakers,
and very clever In argument. They
/ iflci ndNC EDttCt VI tt ltHSb Utility
feet, and at every sentence the speaker
runs, jumps, ard 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 science :
have good knowledge of engineering,
and are brave and active.
At bush-ighting one Maori is more
than a match for five soldiers. In all
other countries that England has col
onized little regard has been paid to
the claim of the natives tc their own
laud but. in New Zealand, Government
was forced to acknowledge the claims
of tire Maoris. At Wellington L once
saw = rather comical sight, showing
how the chiefs ape the whites. The
steamer was Just about to sail, when
hurryiug down the wharf came Maori,
dressed as follows "a black frock coat,
black waistcoat, black, silk Aat, white
shirt and fancy neck tie in one hand
an umbrella and in the other new port
manteau; but without pdntdtoons on
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 of
some of his clothing.
The Maori mode Of salutation is
somewhat peculiar. aud especially sc
when the friends have not met for
some time. Instead of shaking hand
or kissing, they rub noses together for
several minutes, and then, sitting on
the ground, sway their. bodies to and
7 fro, all the time shedding tears copi-
ousiy, and talking most mourufully
in sing-song strain. The crying is
not necessarily because some relative OF
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 in
this. aud as they continue the motions
become quicker and more exciting.
Soon come horrible grimaces, rolling of
the eyes until the whites only can be-
seensthrusting out the tongue, and veil
ing in their fury and excitement the,
sometimes tear or what clothing the,
may have on, and with violent gestures
aud contortions of the body they con
tinue until exhaustion compels them tc
desist-FroBa Life an the Gambia,
Islands, in Scribner's for april