Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-01-02
IN MAORIDOM.
Elder Bowles Writes Interestingly of His Experiences Among
Natives New Zealand
NoARUAwAHIA, Waikato, New Zealand,
November, 18th, 1896.

In perusing your ever welcome paper
which regularly comes to hand, and
which contains many reports OF the
rapid strides that Mormonism is making
throughout the world; thought brief
report OF the progress, feeling and con-
dition OF this part would be read with
interest by the many readers oil your
much esteemed paper, among whom are
many Elders and Saints who formerly
labored and lived upon these isles Of the
sea-.
At the present time New Zealand is
clothed and adorned with the beautiful
mantle and the decorations OF Spring;
everything connected with this season
of the year seems 10 smile and bid us
welcome, inviting all to freely partake OF
the joy, happiness and life which it de-
sires to insiill into all hearts. At present
no signs OF that dreadful epidemic
know as spring fever have been seen; on
the contrary, the majority OF the inhabi-
tants here are as the busy bee-hard at
work from early morn till night throws
her mantle over the toilers, and then
they realize the time has come to rest.
From famous Waikato to equally fam
Gus Laranaki is perhaps the most inn
portant journey undertaken upon this
the north island OF New Zealand, as the
| former place is where the Wjaori king
Mahuta resides with his chiefs and fol.
| lowers; the latter place being the home
| OF the two famous Maori prophets, lie
| White and Tohu. Elders George
Bowles and Farley A, Waters having
recently travelled the above route, the
| following is submitted.
| A short time ago the writer visited the
kings village to gain audience with him
| and to ask permission to hold meeting
with him and his people. was greeted
| by two ancient fully tattooed natives,
who politely informed me, that the king
would be in attendance shortly; after a
brei chat with the two above mentioned,
Mahula was announced. | arose to
meet him, and was greeted in Maori
fashion with the exception OF the hongi
| (nose rub King Mahuta is a good
looking man, apparently well versed and
| acquainted with both European and
Maori etiquette, is intelligent but little
reserved. Unlike his father the former
king. he is not tatooed, is Of fairly light
complexion Tor a Maori, should Judge
by his appearance that his weight is IS5
pounds aud he is five feet ten inches in
height. A friendly chat followed, in
which / made known my desire. The
answer was partially disappointment,
it being that there was no suitable house
at present, but the one now being built,
would no doubt be available tor holding
religious meetings when completed.
There was no alternative but to accept
the aforementioned. However few
questions on the gospel asked BY the
king were answered to his entire salts.
faction. One especial question was con-
corning the blessing asked upon food.
informed him as to the plan adopted
by the Saints he was delighted, saying
he had never heard from other ministers
OF the different churches such good,
and in his opinion, correct one.
Up to the present the king has mot
united himself with any particular de-
nomination. He is OF a fairly critical
nature; from reports the Church of
| England are very desireous OF convert
ing him and his followers to their faith,
| but from past actions OF said church
against NilS pCOpit kNiuoliJ hhey Will
| find it extremely uphill work. There
are whispers afoat that the king has
| issued instructions to his people to take
good care OF the Mormon Elders when
they visit among them. The Elders of
this district have already enjoyed the
hospitality OF his people, which we be.
lieve is the outcome of the kings in.
structions,
On the 23rd of September last, the be-
aforementioned Elders LETT Waikato for
Parehaka in the Laranaki district. As
we travel southwark we diverged from
the main road to visit number OF
pahs (vilages) and lay before our dusky
skinned friends the revealed principles
OF life and salvation. We were warmly
welcomed by the majority and were in
vited to preach, quickly avaiing our.
selves OF such golden opportunity.
Our road led through portions OF
country which pen and paper fail TO
describe, on account OF the choice gifts
which nature has bestowed upon those
secluded spots. We ga2sd enraptured
upon the beauty Of the scene-beauties
which is alone found in ancient forests,
where as yet the woodman's axe has
not been welded, and man has not
penetrated its thick underground and
stately trees. Although surrounded
with these beauties OF nature, let not the
reader imagine that the track we travel
is as beautiful. Not SO, as seemingly
we climb constantly up and up into the
very clouds. In places we led our
horses, as it required all fours TO reach
the top. One would imagine that our
horses were OF circus fame, from the
agility they exhibited in ascending and
descending.
Having met Maori named Whatai
travelling our way, his extra horses he
was willing 10 let my companion ride at
intervals and so give bin an opportunity
OF resting. My horse was twofold in the
field to take notice OF any difficulty arts.
ing from an extra long days tIaVel.
Such journeys are second nature to him,
as he has carried the Mormon Elders ON
their journeys from year TO year.
When nearing our destination on a GER
tain day, Elder Waters horse dverged
from the track. The next moment it
was almost hid from sight in the soft
black mud OF the swamp. The order
ex,ricatng himself, made for terra
6rma." After some delay and labor we
pulled the horse OUT. The picture that
stood before us, horse and rider well
covered with good thick coat OF mud.
only lacked the snapshot.
Ga and or we travelled each day I'M
iii on the 10Th OF October, when we ar.
rived at our desired destination
Parehaka, Parehaka is situated about