Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-07-21
A POLYNESIAN REUNION,
Tho Gathering Of Pacific Island MIS-
slOlarleS al Lagoon.


One of the most unique and enjoy
able scenes over Witnessed In utah
was the gathering Of Polyneslan mis-
sionariee, with their families anu
friends, at the LagOono on MONDAY last
For several months past 40 eneTgeuc
committee, with Hon. John t. Caine
as chairman, has been actively nl
work, An attractive card OF Invitation
wss issued to all Elders whose names
md addresses were available VINO nave
ever Inborod on the Pacific lsianus'
and the hal,.tone portrait Of n TaIihisn
in native dress, carrying bread iIul.
and bananas, make II much pt,zeu
souvenir OF the occasion. On Ffliby
last a company OF native HaWhllans
arrived from Skull valley, ana on sat
urdpy they proceeded to the LaROuh
to prepare for rhe approaching csl'-
bration, "Umus," or native ovens,Wete
made, which consisted oil pits aug
IN tho ground. A beef and SOW
eral hogs we're kindly donated py
tho presiding blshopric VI the Chu1ch
and these were cooked IN NAIVE
g,yle. After piling frewoon In we
pits u large quantity Of rocks were alsu
placed therein, and, when sullclehIly
heated, water was poured Ia anu 1he
fond nlaecd on the sieaming pile. The
nits w,Ie closed and this beet aud porB
was thus well cooked in the naive
"umu.O
As early as 0 O'Clock on Monday
morninp crowds were gathering at the
Jepot OF the Salt Lake nnd Ogden
Railway company anu almost every
hour the trains were loale1 to the Ut
moat capaclty. AS the viaitors arrived
mt the Lagoon they were greeted by
mar friends, ana the or,es OF "AlOhs
nui, (Hawaiisu), worana (Tahatian),
UTaloia lava" (SamoaD), "Tena hnu-
tnuD (MnorD could be beard on every
hsnu' The tables la the luncheon
nayilion were loaded with provisions
and extra tables had to be itnprovised
Ia accommodate the large throng.
Every available spRce was occuple1,
and. as one witnessed the Joy
ana assemblage, he felt that
II was au inSpiTci thought tina!
suggested euoh a Gathering
Large bowls OF poi were placed upon
every table anu no spirit OF desetn'
mcnt WAS required to indicate these
who had visited the Saniwich Island
Empty bowls ami unsppeased appetite'
were found amongst tue Hawnlinu
Elders and nstives, while others were
content with dnintily tasting lltti'
upoi" on The tip oil the hhRer OF th'
point oil aspoou.
Not 40 with vhe beef served in corr
busks or the pork, both being cooke.
IN the "umus."
M this method OF cooking prevail
on every group OF the Pacific islaBCg
all the missionaries part0ok OF the foOt
with equal relish.
After tho picnic the dnuclnl
n.y.lion was seated 10 its ulmos
capacity, and IT. WAS estimated that u
least |, 900 people were assembled, be
sidts large crowds on the outside VII
were unable to get even standing roor
inside.
Hon. John II. Cal presided, an
Come all yo sons OF Zion was sung b.
the audience.
Prayer was offered by Prtslden
Joseph #, Smith.
Elders from the TRhitisp, or S0ciet
Islands, thsn occupied the stand. aud
seating themrolvr9 Ia native fasbiO
(crots-iegged) gave u representation q
class exercises in Tahi,iau Snuua!
school, Elder Frank Cutler ofiiciatin
III tencher. Many OF the Eders wer
dressed In the white suns worn o
them when laboting upon The Islands
The Hawaiian part Of the prORrnt
consisted OF melodious songs by ~
natives and sweet music By IN
Hawaiian hand.
A Duet, In the native tongue, by
little ksnaka boy anu girl was great
appreciated anu applauded, Ie'uliin
III s recall. The Huia-nula duu ce, b
four HAwailshs, WAS also renieTe
twice and the graceful movement
and peculiar music were especial
sdmiref.
The New ztaiandets endeavored
illustrate the arrival Uf visitors at
Maori village. As HlrIni WhanRs,
noble lookiBg Maori chief with snow
white beard and hair, mounted III
platform, accom- usuiel by MS wife AL
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