The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-09-23
Maori Eaaatieisn .


In the early part Of tins year IN extraor-
dingry outurelk Of religious craze was
witnessed among the northern natives N
New Zealand. 4 Maori prophecies, living
IN Kawgkawa. q settlement north OF AucA-
land. was the leader OF the movement.
She Is a Young woman named Men lap,
qbour twenty I'VE years OF age, pleasant
looking. but with s daZed expression.
Early in March this year Meri foretold
the beginning OF the millennium, winch
lie made on the 18th Of that month The
effect On the natives as wonderful
Crowds visited her daily, fully creating
her pruphecleS- ,r
some two hundred Of her Immediate tol-
lowers removed 10 g separate eneampLnennt'
Prominent among these disciples were tue
chief. H0hain PaCu0ca- and ms people
relatives Of the late celebrated Iamal
Wgka Meme. and inhabitants OF the hoi
gnga district IsrI and her supporters
p-0fsssad TO be Roman Catholics, out dlo
nos hold any religious service or ceremony
whatever. The time was spent II VARIOUS
games and amuseueuCs- and N eating, ths
latter taking up good portion OF me
day. Money WAS spent III most EeS4 A-.
manner uuJu provision and new c!gsAes
wherein to appear On the last day: "Leh
cash ran short they obtained goods IroA Z
rsi-hborlug st0rekeeper on credit ana
when threatened with summonses SAID II
did not matter. Is the last day WOULD
come at the end Of the month tLndLhs
their creditor unsaGlshed with thai answer
thev requested him not TO take any pro
csediugs during March, Is It was tapr
sacred but 10 wait TIL April; when, L
nothing happened he should be paid Il
full This he was constrained to do
The prophecies spent most OF her TINS
IN conyersIuE with unbeLeTlnS visitors, o
whom there were plenty. They were chef
" natives. attracted by curiosity and tn'
Tayish h5sui5aIitv Of the converted ones
Baiu- well 7srsad IN Scripture, she va
able L discuss religion with any one wh'
cared to argue with her. The believer
behaved IL q very orderly manner. spirit
were ssrictLv prohibited. But It was a
anxious time for the European settler
near the sucampueut. for there was Il
knowing what change might not tax
place IN lIerl's teachings Safety lay l
the usarnsss Of the day fixed Is the Iasi
Had the time been longer, there Is L
knowing what band Of Wild fanatlc'
whose food supply had come to an enS
would not do. -,
As the time approached for the fulfil
-rz-- "A the r-1Dhecv. the mania took
more serious turn / -tohn1ga pres
7-rachet that Christ : meditation was onl
s0r the pakaha lwhI-e mani Burnt ole
irr Of dogs. cats and owls were mad
These offerings, Eogeyer- we're only Pr
Eninary and typical Of the grand sacrIhi
that was to follow, and for which an att
was built. Tie victim selected was you1l
rirI. daughter Of the high priest hImseI
She having EXPRESSED her willingness
lie for the good Of the people. The l
tended homicide vas prevented by Il
UcIice. Men now gave out that she Wou
probably be missing on the last day, al
minated to her followers that she Won
be removed to the next world by supe
natural means
At last the great day arrived and I
thing Lauueued- lIzrI had disappears
bavinr wisely departed 70 another part
the country with numerous presents d
misguided followers we're poEerLass to
ANYTHING IN tie face Of strong coutln
emf Of armed constabulsry posted 70 ma
taiu order. There was nothing LETT put
return 10 their uuch-ueglected plan
lions The only evidence OF the mo-
u1ent l. considerable distress among !
natives. owing 70 9 reckless waste OF p
visions and prolonged Idlensss- iFH
t-rrzzttE