Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-05-19
NOTES OF "HUI TAU"
Strange Sights and Scenes at a Maori
"TaHsl."
SEVENTH DAY ADyESTIsrs MEET.
Town aud harbor Of Napier.--"Who's
on the LORDS Side, WAC ="
After Conference.
Correspondence, Dsser,i Nas..

generally considered one VI the best
ever held In Maoridom. The little
Maori village designated Us the scene
Of the conference Is pleasantly sit atcd
In IN open valley about twenty-five
miles west OF Napier. In tho early
settlement OF New Zealand, many
sanguine conflicts took placs Ia the
vicinity, between the natives and Euro.
peans, and near the village may be
sen the ruins OF an old fort, which wss
afterwards converted into n graveyard.
A large number OF tnOu IDS with bro
ken hesi-b0ards still remain Visible to
tell the etory Of the gallant soldiers
who fell In those om1rable days.
Hundreds oi Aiaoris from all parts OF
New Zealand assem- bled nt Te Haukp
neatly week prior TO the time OF con-
ference. Many were non-membcrs VI
the Church, aud all had boon invited
by some Of the non-Mormon residents
10 participate In Maori "langi.n
This Ii one Of the most ancient GUS
toms Of the natives, aud In olden times
was attended with much suffering aud
barbarity. II 10 still customary 10 pro.
pare great foasts ON these occasions,
and oiton about $1,000 Is expended In
providing Tor the multitude that ubu.
ally attende.
A Maori "Iaugi" may appropriately
be termed n lament for the hOnoreu
dead. l, Is not confined 90 the time
OF the decease Of a distinguished rela-
tive or TREND, but may DO repeated M
oftcn rs the surviving members Of tho
tribe uesirc, aud will simetimes last
several weeks. Tribes arc occasionally
almost inns verlshod by such prolonged
ieasting. Visitors arc received with
cries OF welcome,ant the MAORI women
VIII 10 iuf,n to meet tho company,
with wreathg Of green vine leaves upon
their heals, singing or chanting their
'hnro ma :" (tUtDtD On reaunns
the v llage tao women form n semi
citcle aHu az once commences their
mourning or wailing. A STOPPING atii-
tude Is assumed, and the tears dow
copiously, falling to the ground like
drops OF rain. The piteous difge-like
wall ", at times, almost heaftrenuing.
Meantime occasional EXPLANATIONS OF
sorrow for the departed are uttered by
some member Of the company, aud
often the weeping anu wailing will
continue for hours.
This In undoubtedly an ancient
Israelitish custom, and Is fifty described
by jeremiah: "Call for the mourning
women that they may come, anu let
them make haste and take up wall.
ing for us. that our eyes may run
down with .tears and our eyelids gush
out with waters"
fayV uaaTa aHa ha,,.,-..
would be more despera tely
The women would
assemble, attircd only In q skirt, aud
many OF them armed with sharp flint
Instruments, male OF sharks teeth, or
hard shell, though often contenting
themselves with piece OF volcanic
glass. Alter wailing and crying for
short time, the company would be
worked into a state of frenzy. The
moaning wsuld give place to loud
accompanied by frantic
gestures aud quivering outstIetched
arms and hands, anu occasionally,
while singing or bowling, the women
would draw the sharp Instruments
across the breasts, or down tho arms,
ned at times down the face, each cut
,ausing the blood TO How copousIy,
Often the poor creatures would DO
almost covered with large clols OF
blood, making them sad
md hideous objects indeed. Such
Genes are seldom heard OF now, aud
his relic OF barbarity is disappearing,
Is the natives begiu TO understand the
I'D Mosaic law: aye shall not make
my cuttings In your flesh for the dead,
lor print any marks upon you; | am
he Lord" Lev. xix: 2s.)
Prlor to the opening OF the confer.
'nce about twelve OF the Elders took
rain for Napier, In order II visit the
title seaport on the east coast. On
enving the station large number OF
ents were observed, anu over the
estooned gateway leading into the
qusre were observed the words.
'Welcom,! 3. ID. Adventist Camp
The conference OF this re.
igious body was drawing to a close.
,ut the Elders took seats Ia the larp, |
ent aud listened attentively to the
proceedings.
On learning that the visitors were
Mormon Elders engaged In spreading
he Gospel among the MaOris, n r. |
lueet was made that some OF the mum.
Ier address the conference, which was
eadily complied with. After a short
Elder w. 4. Stewart
resident OF the Australasian mission
ave "A concise sketch of the work OF
he Elders during the past eight years.
nd also answered many Questions re-.
ating 10 MAORI customs. habits, etc.
elder ID. Goddard also testified To- the
uccess attending the faithful labors OF
he servants OF God and showed how
essOns OF sohriety and chastity were
sught to the people. Much Interest
vas manifested during these addresees.
nd after meeting tie company was
ordially invited 10 luncheon, The
ri, Of the time was occupied In stroll.
ug around the town.
Napier Is the principal town and
raport in the Hawkes. Bay district,
nd Ii beautifully situated on n benin.
ula. Some Of the finest resi- ienres are
uilt ON the summit Ot the cliffs, over.
lOklug the sea, anu foe view OF the
country may be obtained
.om these fAvOrito heights. A fine
reak water has been built over 1OOO
set long and this most pleasant div.
along the eFplanadc facing the
cean.
The town has about 5000 iuhabit.
nts, amt the many substantial bual.
pss blocks indicate that there are
iRny entcrprlsing citizens engaged ia
ringing Napier into the font rank of
lew Zealand cities. The PRINCIPAL
ecclesiastical building is the Church OF
.ngland cathedral, which is said TO
q one OF the hands NEST structurps IN
10 COLONY. Several newspapers are
lblished, two OF which are dailies,
he large harbOr will ACCOMMODATE
ny Of the Immense steamers which
OCCASIONALLY put In at New Zealand