Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-10-04

MAnN 'pts VI rNNticnunls Ne SITUATED
in an open fiat aud on every side is
dense bruHhi or forest land. ft II stu
ated near the railfo i station, AMI on
Thursday, Sept let, carriage load Of
visiting saints from Mauuwatu district,
alighied from the train and received
an enthusiastic Welcome. Tds CON
ference was held in large Maori
wbera, 100 feet long The wiudowa
were draped with lace curtains, and
the walls were deliberately decorated
in true Maori style. Chandeliers were
etispcnded from tho ceiling, and,at one
end. n large stalne1-glasa d.or and
mirrora contributed ~ ilg comfortable
aud homc-iiko appearance. Large Ia.
hles were ppreau with the bouniin4 OF
life, and beautifully adorned with large
vases II howere.
A Maori "hui" may Htly be formed
ga feast Of fnt things.H No expense Is
snared IN providing Tor the comfort Of
All conerH, and many attend who do
not regard the religious services W. the
most attractive feature. However,
many Outsiders are induced q attend
by this means, and an opportunity Is
furnished for preaching the Gospel II
them, anu applications for baptism
often follow.
on Saturday, September 3fd, the
Hawkes. bay conference was called to
order by Elder JOHN q. kelHln, presi.
dent OF the district. Tue following
Elders from Zion wero present. Elders
w. Douglasa and n. l.. Cox, uf
Hawkes. Bay district; Elder Wesley
Gibson, from WAlmrapa district, aud
Elders p. T.. rhomus anu b.
Goddard, from Msnawatu district.
,Thero are seven branchesin the district
aud most " these were reported In a
good condition by the prcsl1unts. Ill
der liclson greeted the SALUTE, ex.
pressing his pleasure IN needing no
many Of the members, ana heartily
welcomed the many visitors from Man.
aviator district. itldom rhomas and
Douglass aud several native Elders
also addressed words Of announcement
20 the people, cXhofllng them 10 faith
fulnoss. a priesthood mtetiug was
hold IN the evening, aud instructions
were given on the dutiel VI those hold.
Ing the holy prieslhoOd. Tho first
Sunday IN tho month Is observed "a
fast dny, anu the second day of con.
ference was, therefore, 70 regarded.
The Sacrament on such days is admin.
istcred during the forenoon meeting.
After Sacrament Elder Cox ADDRESSED
the Saints, and referred 10 his early
experiences and explained the nrs.
principles Uf ths Gospel. In the
afternoon about hny Europeans
were present, and the HpDstacy OF the
primitive church and the restoration
Of the Gospel was trested upon by
Elder Goddard. a testimony meeting
was held In the evening. Elder Glib
son addressed the people and alter
wards Saints bore their teatimOuies,
and the meeting continued until mid
night. The following day i've pers3us
applied for baptism.
On TuClday scene occurred
characteristic Of MaOrldum. After
morning "lNarakiH,D or prayers, one
Of the rangatIras Tor chlels), suggested
the marriage Of young couple, who
had met for the trst time during com
ference. La olden times children were
often beirothod by their parents, aud
marriages were seldom solemuised
without consulting the whole tribe.
Often whole day and night IA spent
discussing tho subject In order that the
tribe may unanimously agree upon
IL. On the occasion referred 10
all forenoon was spent In arranging the
union, aud though the young couple
were present no tx preston Of opinion
was required from them Us the chiefs
claim Jurisdiction In such matters. IL
was finally doclded that they should be
married, the ceremony TO take place In
the evening. During the afternoon
"karakia," or prayers, Elder Kelson
addressed the Saints on the subject OF
marriage and the importance OF oh.
serving the laws Of chastity, etc. The
bridegroom and bride then came for.
ward and were united in the bonds OF
holy matrimony la the usual manner.
Afterwards the friends ana relatives
greeted the newly married couple ami
cheered ever the celebration OF the
nuptiRls. The compa y then enjoyed
u social dance.
Land matters receive considerable
attention in this country, as all the
land originally was claimed by the
native tribes collectively. Land
courts are now organized TO grant the
land TO individual claimants. TIE
Maoris own 10000, 900 acres OF land la
the North Island, two-flths OF whicn
Ia agricultural, and the test grazing
land. a considerable portion OF 1t Is
covered with dense Timber or brush,
and is quite mountainous. The gov
eminent has control OF all the land
court anu the Maoris complain OF the
heavy assessments and thXes levied up
on their lands. Land In often leased
TO Europeans, and, IN many cases, the
assessment exceeds the rental. In
| order 20 remedy this evil, the Mnoris
are organizing what Is termed \ Maori
parliament, and pctitioning the gov
eminent TO grant them absolute con.
| trul Of their own land affairs.
| HamiOrp ManGakahia, an educated
native lawyer, 10 premier. lie ia one
Of the Oldest memberH Of the Church,
/ and was present at our conference.
! He stated that about "a 200
| Maoris had signed the agree
mont ana petition Tor said par.
llament, and that the object was to
control the leasing and sale Of the
land, also to encourage the cultivation
OF 10 ant 70 locate and build towns after
the European style. Tho proposition
IS receiving the support OF prominent
stnlesmen ami II may probably onoour'
| age the Ma9rls 10 he more induatrlous
and energetic.
The NEWS ~ always welcome
visitor In this far.0ii land and we are
| all Interested in the progress Of affairs
In Zion. Even political questions are
not overlooked and Cleveland and
Harrison men are sometimes met with
who would be glad 10 cheer for sheir
respective candidates.
We are gratiilod 10 noilca the in.
creased desire to do Justice to Utah
aud that 20 many now acknowledge
the loyalty Of her citizens.