Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-08-07
MaorL FanatloIam.
st. James's Gazette, July 10th.

NNNN NGa 49,"
In the early part Of this year an ex-
traordinary outbreak Of religious craze
was witnessed among the northern ma
tives in New Zealand. A Maori pro-
phetess, living at Kawakawa, a settle
ment north of Auckland, was the lead
er of the movement. She is a young
woman, named Meri Tapu, about
twenty-five years Of age, pleasant look
ing, but with a dazed expression.
Early in March Of this year Meri fore
told the beginning of the millennium,
which she fixed on the twenty-eighth
Of that month. The effect on the ma
tiVes was wonderful. Crowds visited
ner daily, fully Crediting her prophe-
cies.
About the middle of March Meri
and some 200 of her immediate fol-
lowers removed to a separate encamp-
ment. Prominent among these dis
ciples were the chief Hohaia Patuone
and his people, relatives of the late
celebrated 1amati Waka Meme, and
inhabitants of the Hokianga district.
Meri and her supporters professed to
be Roman Catholics, but did not hold
any religious service or ceremony
whatever. The time was spent ia
various games and amusements,
and in eating, the latter TAX
ing up a good portion of the
day. Money was spent in a most reck-
less manner under provisions and new
clothes wherein to appear on the last
day. When cash ran short, they
obtained goods from a neighboring
storekeeper on credit. and when threat
ened with summonses, said it did not
matter as the last day would come at
the end of the month. Finding their
creditor unsatisfed with that answer,
they requested him not to take any
proceedings during March, as it was
tapu (sacred), but to wait till April !;
when, If nothing happened, he should
be paid in full. This he was con
strained to do.
The prophecies spent most of her
time in conversing with unbelieving
visitors, Of whom there were plenty
they were chiefly natives, attracted by
curiosity and the lavish hospitality Of
the converted ones, Being well versed
in Scripture, she was able to discuss
religion with any n who cared to
argue with her. The believers be-
haved ina veryorderly manner. Spirits
verse strictly prohibited. But it was
an anxious time for the European set
tiers near the encampment ; for there
was no knowing what change might
not take place in Meri's teachings.
lay in the nearness of the day
fixed as the last. Had the time been
longer, there is no knowing what a
band Of wild fanatics, whose food sup
ply had come to an end, would not do.
AS the time approached for the full
tillment of the prophecy, the mania
took a more serious turn. A"tohnnag"
(priest) preached that Christ's media
ton was only for the Pakeha white
man). Burnt offerings of dogs, cats
and owls were made. These offerings,
however, were only preliminary and
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
she having expressed her
willingness to die for the good of the
The intended homicide was
prevented by the police. Meri now
gave out that she would probably be
missing on the last day, and intimated
10 her followers that she would be re-
to the next world by superna-
sural means.
AT last the great day arrived, and
nothing happened. Meri had disap-
having wisely departed to an
other part of the country with numer-
ous presents. Her misguided followers
were powerless to do anything inc the
face of a strong contingent of armed
,onstabulary posted to maintain order.
There was nothing left but to return
% their much neglected plantations.
The only evidence of the movement is
considerable distress among the ma
owing to a reckless waste of
provisions and prolonged idleness.