Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-12
A maori LAST DAP.
BE ie,ing a Prophecies who Predicts that
the End OF the World Is a, Hand.
auckland Herald

BE letinR N fTophetcss VINO ffruHts thos
the End OF the World Is a, Hand.
auckland Herald
In the early part of this year an ex-
traordinary outbreak Of religious craze
took place among the northern natives
of New Zealand. A Maori prophecies
living in Kawakawa, a settlement north
Of Auckland, was the leader Of the
movement. She is ayoung woman named
Meri Tapu, about twenty-five years of
age, pleasant looking, but with a dazed
expression. Early in March of this
year Meri foretold the beginning of the
millennium, which she fixed on the 2Sth
of that month. The effect on the ma
tiyes was wonderful. Crowds visited
her daily, fully crediting her prophe-
eies.
About the middle Of March Meri and
some 200 of her immediate followers
removed to separate encampment.
Prominent among these disciples were
the chief Hohaia Patuone and his peo-
pie, relatives of the late celebrated Ia
matt Waka Meme, and inhabitants Of
the Hoklanga district. Meri and her
supporters professed to be Roman Cath
olics, but did not hold any religious
service or ceremony whatever. The
time was spent in various games and
amusements, and in eating, the latter
taking up a good portion Of the
day. Money was spent in a
most reckless manner upon pro-
visions and new clothes. wherein to ap-
pear on the last day. When cash ran
short they obtained goods from neigh
boring store-keeper on credit, and, when
threatened with summonseS, said it did
not matter. as the last day would come
at the end of the month. Finding their
creditor unsatisfied with that answer,
they requested him not to take any pro-
ceedings during March, as it was tabu
Sacred, ,but to wait till April. when, il
nothing happened. he should be paid in
full. This he was constrained to do.
The prophecies spent most Of her
time in conyersiDg with unbelieying vis-
itors, of whom there were plenty. They
were chiefly natives, attracted by Gu
riosity and the lavish hospitality of the
converted ones. Being well versed in
/ Scripture she was able to discuss rell-
gion with any who cared to argue with
her. The believers behaved in a very
orderly manner. Spirits were strictly
prohibited. But it was an anxious time
for the European settlers near the en-
campment, for there was no knowing
what change might not take place i'll
Meri's teachings. Safety lay in the
nearness of the day fixed at the last.
Had the time been longer there is no
knowing what band Of wild fanatics,
whose food supply had come to an end
would not do.
As the time approached for the full
fllment Of the prophecy the mania took
a more serious turn. A "tohnnga "
(priest) preached that Christ's media
tion was only for the Paheha white
mani. Burned offerings of dogs, cats,
and owls were made. These offerings,
however, were only preliminary and
typical of the grand sacrifice that was
to follow. and for which an altar was
built. The victim selected was a
young girl, daughter of the high priest
himself, she having expressed her will
ingness to die for the good of the pee
pie. The intended homicide was pre-
vented by the police. Meri now gave
out that she would probably be missing
on the last day, and intimated to her
followers that she would be removed
to the next world by supernatural
means.
At last the great day arrived and
nothing happened. Meri had disap-
peared, having wisely departed to an.
other part Of the country with mime
rous presents. Her misguided follow
ers were powerless to do anything in
the face of strong contingent of armed
constabulary posted to maintain order
There was nothing left but to return tC
their much-neglected plantations. The
only evidence of the movement is con
siderable distress among the natives
owing to reckless waste Of provisions
and prolonged idleness.