Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-06-08

llt new arrivals approached ilt
"Kaainga," small company Of natives
were perceived signalling them. and
waving their handkerchicis, amid cries
Of welcome, "Iaere mai Nau mai, sc.
AT some distance beyond, q large COM
pauy OF women we're standing in regular
iles, waving green wrcaths aud wauds,
When the visitors came into close
| pfomoxity to them, the Maori Haka, or
war dance, commenced. Suitable words
u greeting were chantcd In the monoto
nous strains, so peculiar 10 the Maori;
the sentiments were accompanied with
graceful movements OF the body, and
every attitude was assumed simultan.
eously by the whole company, with
the precision Of an automntOn As the
ceremony proceeded, the movements
uecame more rapid and vigorous, and
eNcelied the most perfect cali5thenic
exercise. "A Maori woman, with native
iaiaha IN her hands, conducted the cerc-
iHony. Many Of the attitudes were not
very graceful, when viewed from
takella' standpoint, but the unrestrain.
ed enthusiasm Of TIE performers proved
contagious, and onlOokefs Witnessed
the. proceedings with great interest
When almost exhausted, the woman
suddenly ro,reated, and a large com.
pany OF men were seen crouching ON
! Tue ground. When exposed TO view,
they sprang up with native warwhoop,
and their defiant attitude, and naked
iorns, caused a shudder to pass through
the spectators. as they perceived the
iorciblc Illustration oi ancient Maori
dom, and the manner in which the brave
warriors prepared Tor battle.
The "Haka" was then resumed. the
native braves IN the font ranks, and the
women in their gay costumes behind
| The yells and shouts were almost terri.
Tying, as they chanted their songs.
while their bodies swayed to and fro.
each person alternately beating his
thighs and breast. With rolling eyes
ana pfoiruding tongues, they portrayed
ail the hideousness oil the ancient Gus.
tom and Il could easily be sufmiscd
how they could infuse into each other
mad frenzy preparatory to going
10 III to battle.
After this interesting ceremony, the
| greetings were continued, and such a
crowd were present, that some Of the in.
experienced new Corners feared that
their nasal organs would be ifrcmcl
tally injured, IN consequence OF the
numerous conclusions.
Passing through the village, Il was
evident that
rhercsa teas, Of hi thing for the fgh,s1ui
preparing
The good Of ,hl world all The saints shall be
sharing.
These words received a more literal iul.
lilment than the composer ever realized.
a number Of becyes and mutton had
been slaughtered, and were hanging
near the cooking department. Inn.
mensc quantities Of provisions Of all
kinds, were stored. and ready Tor con,
sumption by the gathering multitude.
The large "whare karlkia," or meeting
house. was reserved for meetings and
also furnished sleeping room tot the
Maori guests, who reclined upon their
"whlfkis, or lax mats, arranged along
each side Of the room. A new dining
room had been erected Tor the occasion,
IS feet wide and 81 feet long. Il was q
substantial wood structure, covered with
zinc roofing, and capable OF seatingioyei
200 persons NJ the two tables, which
extended from one end OF the building
to the other. Substantial and delicious
iood of all kinds was furnished, and
many OF the dishes were ellboralcly
. decorated.
Thirly.sevcn Elders from Zion were
present, the largest number ever pfiyi
legged to assemble together In confer
ence OF the Australlsian mission. Tive
dwellings were set apart for the exgluS
i've use and accommodation OF the ~
, | dcfs, one OF which was the neWly
erected and beautifully furnished dwell
ing OF Wiremu Takanl.
The FIRST testimony meeting was cN
! ceedingly interesting, and the Cheern,
/. welcome, happy voices, eyes beaminl
" with JOY aud faces glowing will
, pleasure, caused many TO exclaim
The spirit OF God Ike a hrr s burning.
The latter day glory begins 40 come forth.
I. Two hundred aud twenty,eight person
were present, and large number O
i members bore earnest testimonies 4
, the work OF the Lord,
b All the meetings Of conference weT
/. largely attended. A large number q
S European Saints were present iron
Wairarapa and Manawaiu districts, an
2 Il was therefore deemed advisable &
/. hold a European service. Slbbatl
. afternoon was reserved TOT that purpose
] and the meeting was advertised in IN
. adjacent town Of Danugvirke. Oye
iiyc-hundrcd persons were present
4 about two hundred Of whom wer
n European visitors, and they listened at
4 tentiyely TO an exposition OF Mormon
: doctrines. Alter meeting, many wcr
y DESTROYS Of conyerslng ON these pfin
). ciples, while others desired anoIhe
= "English' meeting, but time would no
4 permit The local newspaper containe,
e an interesting and unprejudiced repor
I OF the services.
J, The final "pOroporoakl, or farewell
Z meeting, was held on Tuesday evening
e April 9th, and commenced about p. ii
1 Each Elder released to return to I,o
was required to deliver his farewell ad
+. dress, aad supplement II with a song
i and the Ma0r.s then commenced to say
Il Goodbye" Hour after hour IN
b Elders patiently listened to thei
anectlonalc speeches. New Elders, un
accustomed to this routine, would rcclin
}. on the mats, and YEARLY ask "Ho,
long, When the midnight hour wa
passed. large number Of natiy
brethren and sisters were eagerly await
Ing an opportunity to speak. 1t wa
four O'Clock IN the morning when On
final word was spoken, aud the wear
but Interested listeners were permitteD
to retire to rest. Their slumbers, how
!, ever, were short, as the first bell ran
W promptly at 051 a. M, preparatory 1
\ morning "kamkia," or prayers.
!, The cniei Oi the commissariat depart
6 ment reported that the following stoc
of provisions were prepared for tn