South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-14

cedence Of Maoris at present holding
commissions In the battalion. Descend
ants of the big chiefs who fought in
the Maori war are privates today. and
the whole OF the 40 tribes are repre-
sented
Chiefs Are Disciplined.
How well the chiefs OF the little war
parties have disciplined themselves is
shown by the fact that in the -
days voyage from Auckland there was
not "a complaint. The men have a
passion for drill. and If they see
movement done once they will initiate
it perfectly. Many Of them have been
educated at one or other OF the two
Maori colleges in New Zealand.
In musketry the Maori has pleased
his instructors Fully One-third OF
the battalion are marksmen. and the
readiness with which the men who
had not handled modern rifles before
become efficient at the butts promises
well for their usefulness in the field.
The Maoris draw the same ratons
as the other colonial troops, and the
food is prepared I'm the same way, but
doubtless on holidays they viii do as
they did I'm the camp at Auckland
cook the ratiOns in "hangi'
This Maori oven is constructed on
novel lines. A hole i'm the ground is
filled Wi+h fircWOOd. on which is piled
and when the stones are heated the
ember5 are Withdrawn and green
leaves are packed around the stones
Water is then thrown on, and meat
potatoes, etc, placed in a net and
covered with a cloth. are buried with
earth on the stones, and the food is
left 10 steam. Two of these hangi will
prepare rations for 800 men.
Very few OF the Maoris has been
overseas before the voyage. The trip
was most interesting TO them but the
best part OF il was the day they passed
the Keeling islands and saw the wreck
of the Emden. With the officers and
crew Of the troop ship they were fast
| friends, and in coming up the Red
sea they drew up the following quaint
ly-phrdased testimonial, and every
man signed II:
ITO the Wielder Of the Steering
Paddle. 10 His Chiefs and 10 His
Adherents.
Greetings: This is a farewell to
you who brought us safely over the
breaking waves of the great ocean
Of Kiwa (the circumnavigator).
This is the first Maori war party
that has padded over these seas
since Atia-ce- Uaringa-Nui Undia)
was left by the descendants of Tute-
Rangi- Mariana in $50 3. G. 1t was
the incantations of the priestly nav
/ lEdLOIS Enu lnelI knOWleuEe OF IIe
stars that guided the canoes of our
ancestors across the seas TO the
| fish Of Maui.
your incantations have been ma
| terialiZed by your un-tatOOed
wizards in seacraft into charts, COM
| passes. seXtants and other forms
! passes. sextants, and other forms
of the tree fern disappears another
| takes its place: as one wizard dies,
| another appears.
! Greetings to YOU. the wizard of
| the navigatOrs who have passed
away to the bosom Of the deep.
Through this relationship our
! thoughts have been in accord, our
actions one. and friendship firmly
established between us. We render
hearty thanks to you, oh sir, and
young people. for the innumerable
kindnesses we have received at your
hands.
"The 40 fighting men OF Tu, the
War God. have reached Egypt the
| land which was trodden by your
ancestor, Moses. in the days of long
ago
Farewell. Return across the
| troublOus ocean of Tawhaki in
peace and safety. Give our love to
the homeland, and in due time come
back for us"