The Newtown bee., 1908-05-08
The NeWtown Bee.
Washington
TIDINGS FROM NEW ZEALAND
NeWtJWn, Friday, May s. 1908.

Mrs 0restes Hickox has received the following interesting letter from Will liam Coad of New Zealand, who is well known to many Washington and RoX bury people:
 On Friday last we had quite a gala day here at Thomas, the occasion being a visit of Sir Joseph Ward, the Prime Minister of our Government. In the afternoon oil launches were provided and trip was made up the Tirks riv- CT, where there is a large tract of land comprising several thousand acres be- Ing drained by the Government and made ready for settlement purposes. l made one of the party and had very pleaant outing, the weather being love- ly for trip of that sort. In the even- ing a public reception was held in Vic toria Park in honor of Sir Joseph Wards visit and he gave an address.
 The park was nicely lighted up with Chinese lanterns and hundreds of chairs were provided for the people to sit down. A band was in attendance and rendered selections of music. After ward our visitor was entertained at a banquet, which was largely attended and l was one of the number.
 Last Sunday afternoon a friend and myself went out on our bikes to a place called Kirikiri, where a large Mormon meeting was being held, com posed chiefly of Maoris. l might state that the Mormon church at Salt Lake City have sent a lot of elders down this way to try to get converts and several of these elders (mostly young men) are at work in this district. They, however, are more successful among the Maoris than they are with the white people, and at the meeting to which l refer there were between 300 and 400 natives present. The meeting lasted several days, but l think the chief part of its program was feasting, for the Maoris are very fond of having plenty to eat. When my frie~d and myself got out there last Sunday afternoon we found that the religious service had concluded and preparations were being made for the evenings meal. Several camp ovens were in use in which pork, mutton, beef and fish were being cooked, sev- eral large boilers were occupied boiling big plum buildings and a big "Kapa Maori' was being utilized for boiling potatoes and cooking mussels. may explain that ''Kapa Maori" is made as follows: A big hole is dug in the ground and then filled with firewood. On top of the wood are placed lot of stones, which get very hot when the fire is kindled. As soon as the wood is burnt lot of damp grass is thrown on to the hot stones and also damp sack on top of the grass. Then sever al bushels of potatoes are thrown on top of the sack and a quantity of more damp grass is thrown on top them. The heat caused by the hot stones ere tes large quantity of steam, which | quickly cooks the potatoes, and potatoes cooked this way are always nice and mealy. When the food was cooked it | was handed out and it was quite a sight to watch the Maoris feeding. Some of the older Maoris simply squat ted on the ground and tucked in the food as if they had not had square meal for some time previous. and may state that they used neither knife, fork, spoon or serviette. Others of the more civilized kind were more par ticular and adopted more of the Euro pean customs, whilst for the white people ard more select Maoris large lining room tent was provided in which were tables nicely decorated and laid put, the seating accommodation be- ing capable of 200 people at a time. In this tent everything was very nice and clean, and number of young Maori men and women acted as walters and Uaitresses. All visitors were welcome 70 sit down and have meal, no charge being made, but my friend and myself lid not partake of their hospitality. We preferred instead of having good oOk around outside, and watching the feeding antics of the Maoris who con- sidered that fingers were made before snives and forks. Everything, how ,ver, was carried out cleanly and de- ,orously and there was no unseemly noise or hustle. There was a very arge tent in which the bulk of the Maoris slept at night during the time the meeting was being held. Maoris simply roll themsevles up in blanket md stretch themselves out full length )n the ground, upon which flax and 'anpo grass has been strewn. There were lot of small tents and few cottages about in which the white peo- ole and more select of the Maoris slept. Altogether it was a very interesting gathering and was well wortl having l look at. The Mormons are evidently ,aking a great interest in the Maoris. md are laying themselves out to make IS many converts among them as they possibly can.
 William Coad.