Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19

that they have ceased to diminish In num-
per, and 1 am personally inclined to be-
neve that they are on the increase. This
Is gratifying. for to have such a noble and
heroic aboriginal race become extinct would
be cause for great regret. The education
or the Maoris unlike that of the Fijians
and Samoans. is almost entirely In the
hands OF the government. The ninety pub
lie schools. with an attendance of over
5000 pupils. are conducted exclusively for
the benefit OF the native race, at an ex-
penditure of 100000 gold per year
One OF the most hopeful tokens for the
remnant that Is left" of the native races in
this new century Is the active interest now
being taken in their welfare by educated
blood. The Duke of York laid the corner
stone Of the Victorian Maori School for
Giris In the city of Auckland during his re-
cent visit. This movement reminds me of
the similar effort OF the Bey of Thyatira.
who In that city opened q school for girls
and marked a new era in Moslem history.
/ have noticed a similarity In manners
and mind among the Samoans. Tongans
and Maoris First. self-esteem is a nationa!
Characteristic. the Maori. like the others.
having q fairly good opinion of himself.
Second, ceremontousness. They are fond
Of etiquette, the breach of 1t leading to war
when occurring between orders of chiefs.
Third. they are hospitaole to strangers
and to the needy. Fourth, generosity,
exemplified in the daring deed of Honi
Heke. the greatest warrior in New Zealand
The taie is worth the telling
He displayed the national trait OF mag
naninity at the Siege OF the fortified vii
lage Of Chaesai. The British troops were
besieging and had surrounded the place
and the Maori clan seemed to be In hope
less State behind their Notifications. Boyd,
British officer. grievously wounded in the
lower part of the stomach. fell into
trench and was heard calling loudly for
drink but no one cared or dared to go for
water. fearing the frequent missiles. To the
great surprise Of ALL Honi Heke was seen
coming down from the pa (village) without
q weapon and wholly unprotected. He went
straight to the wounded man in the ditch
and, sullenly walking out in front of the
British line, filled a gourd at convenient
stream. brought 1t to the dying officer and
said to him In a determined tone: Drink
this. and IL thou hast to die, die consoled,
for even thy worst foe has had pity on
thee"
Here again is a point Of similarity-ora-
tory. The Maori Is never at a loss for speech
and can express himself in the most extra
ordinary figurative language. l have heard
them, on short notice or with no notice
at all. rise in their public meeting houses
and deliver imprisoned speeches. These
are usually, like TIE Whit, the Sunshine, in
very forid phraseology. Here is a sample:
"A German was capsized and drowning,
when at the last moment TIE Whit came to
his rescue. The natives repaired him and
his canoe and sent him off literally pro-
visioned. The man from the fatherland ex-
pressed his appreciation by presenting
N.
TIE Whit accepted it, and when sent to
Jail made good use Of 1t. Later he re-
turned the volume with this inscription on
the fly leaf: When a traveller has eaten
the oyster he throws away the shell. "
There is at the present time general and
hearty reception of the gospel on the part
of the Maori race The missionaries have
performed prodigious feats of service in TAX
ing very raw material, cannibals, and out
of it making humanized. civilized ana
Chrlstianized citizens of the greatest en-
pire in Christendom.
Formerly the plan of operation was for
Maori chief to turn, after which the
whole tribe would follow and profess
Christianity. Fortunately this has all
changed. The tribes are now converted by
the accumulation Of Individual believers.
The Maori seldom commits murder. very
seldom becomes insane, but his nature Is
riotously revengeful In the good old days,
If q crime was committed, tribesman of
the victim would take any man of the Of
Tending mans clan and atrociously muir
der him. This has all been modified by
the missionary and his message The Maori
chiefs are gentlemen. noble characters who
always keep their word and are absolutely
honest. When stealing occurs. the Maori
says: That Is what rats do not men,"
few score years ago savagery and
heathenism prevailed among this naturally
noble and able warlike people. Now every
night and morning. in many districts on
the North island. all come to the Chris
tian teachers house for prayer and read
Ing of the ScriDtures.