Te Pora Paraone (Nellie Brown) ???? – ????

Currently being written.

If you have any information on the above named person please “Leave a Reply” in the box below and we can add this to what we have

From the New Zealand Herald 23 January 1894 we have the following report of her wedding;

A Maori Marriage at Te Kopuru – On Tuesday, the 16th, Walter Te Paa, of Waimamauku, Hokianga, was united in marriage with Nellie Brown, at Te Kopuru. The wedding was to have taken place on Monday, but some difficulties having occurred caused it to be postponed.

Great interest had been taken in the affair by the residents in the district, Europeans as well as natives. The latter had been gathering for some days. The wedding was fixed for eleven a.m. in the Public Hall, but a good while pevious to that hour spectators began to gather, ladies being in great force, and during the ceremony the hall was filled. Much curiosity was evinced to see the bride, as reports of her beauty had spread far and wide.

As the hall bell announced the approach of the wedding party, the clergyman, the Rev. John Turner (Maori Anglican minister) assumed his robes and took his place. The bridegroom led the way, leading the cheif bridesmaid, followed by the bride, leaning on the arm of her brother.

The bride was dressed in pale pink, trimmed with white lace and cranage blossoms and bridal veil. The universal verdict was that the reports of her beauty had not been exaggerated. The chief bridesmaid was dressed in pale pink, and veil. The bridegroom was neatly but modestly attired. Hydrangeas were in great request for buttonhole flowers, but as they were rather large some of them were stuck inside the waistcoats.

The wedding service was impressively read. The bride was evidently considerably affected, and wept, as did many of her attendants. After the ceremony the bride and bridegroom held a reception in the hall. They cordially shook hands with and kissed nearly all present.

An Adjournment was now made to the settlement, just below Kopuru. Here great preparations had been made for the wedding feast. A long row of camp ovens, as straight as a file of soldiers, stood in one place. An immence fire, built up of great logs, good enough to cook a quater of a bullock at once, kept the pot boiling. The feast was served up in a long shed, in which 50 people could sit at once. Quite a staff of waiters, dressed in original aprons, attended to the tables inside. A crier was stationed on the roof who, with a blast of trumpets, and in a mighty voice, directed the waiters outside as to what was wanted inside. At intervals he cordially invited all present to partake of the feast. The viands were well cooked.

The bride and bridegroom occupied the head of the table, and handed around wedding cake to each relay. A Maori orator gave an address, which was much applauded. A Maori policeman, with a long whip, was very active in directing affairs, and keeping order. Some amusement was caused by a Maori of herqulean proportions, named Tekoki, who in the game of pulling at the stick could easily lift all his opponents, generally with one hand.

On Monday night the Maoris gave a negro minstrel performance in the hall. The bride, I may mention, is a granddaughter of Captain James Stanaway, formerly pilot in Kaipara.