PICTURESQUE CEREMONY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 28, 26 June 1939, Page 5

PICTURESQUE CEREMONY

TUHOE TRIBES NEW MEETING HOUSE

OPENED BY SIR APIRANA NGATA

With flags fluttering bravely in the ibreeze, the 'marae* in front of the newly completed carved meeting house of the Tuhoe tribe at Ruatoki presented a colourful and animated sight last Saturday, Avhen approximately eight hundred persons as. sembled to witness the opening b;..Sir Apirana Ngata. Representatives from all parts of the East Coast (including the Gisbornc districts) Rotorua and the Rangitaiki Plains Avere present, making one of the largest native gatherings seen in Ihese parts for some years. The new building is the result of a considerable local effort on the part of the Tuhoe natives who constitute a small hapu under their energetic chiefs Tawera Moko :and Takarua Tamarau. Mr H. Tai Mitchell was also present and added his congratulations. Long speeches of Avelcome were thel •order of the day for the Ruatoki Maoris had made elaborate preparations for both the opening and the subsequent hui, for which enormous supplies of beef, pork and potatoes had beeij accumulated, and were cook ed in traditional Maori hangis. As a result of donations made by the ' leaders of the visiting tribes plus a subscription from the small number •of pakehas present, it Avas announced by the Rev Wharetini Rangi. who has played a very prominent part in promoting the building fund that no less than £173 30s 6d had been collect. • ed. This with the £270 already raised by the Ruatoki residents brought the total up to £443 10s 6d which Avill go far in liquidating-the outstanding debt. f WELCOME TO THE VISITORS Besides the tribal representatives, the Mayor of Mr B. S. Barry with Mrs Barry attended, together with several members of local bodies from surrounding districts. The Tuhoe natives greeted all in traditional Maori fashion. Grouped on the western side of the meeting house .-and led by their chiefs they intoned : a general Waiata of Avelcome, mentioning in particular the guests of Sir Apirana Ngata and Mr Tai Mitchell. The 'following chiefs responded and -added their congratulations: Turangi "Murupara (Galatea), Kereama Tihema (N'gati Porou) y Te Heara Houkotuku - (Rotorua), m! Mio (Torere), Rev. 'HauAvalio (Tolaga Bay) Te Erewera (Te Teko) and Mr Watcrawi (Whalta / -fane). ANCESTORS OF TRIBE Remarking that the new building bore special reference to the ancestors of the tribe. Sir Apirana Ngata said he had to thank the Rurtoki natives for their invitation to be present. He had made a point of attending as he realised the extent of the Avork oi the Tuhoe people in raising funds, and building their new assembly hall. Referring to Mr Tai Mitchell, he paid him a Ava.rm tribute. a s one avlxo - had spent most of his life in bring. harmony and understanding into the relations between pakeha and Maori. He had als 0 been prominent in bringing about a more A 7 igorous Maori land settlement policy. Sir Apirana added that the Government at the present time did not intend to subsidise in any Avay the building of meeting houses but Avas devoting the money to more deserving causes, .-• such as better housing conditions for the more indigent Maoris, and -assistance in, farming matters. MR TAI MITCHELL'S SONG. ' Mr Tai Mitchell said he had lately had conferred on him a very high and signal honour by His Majesty the King. While he appreciated this I great distinction, he looked upon it more as an honour to the Maori rac'i _ps a. whole. To mark the occasion ar.d in. A'icw of his recognition by the throne of he had much pleasure in making a personal donation towards the general fund. "'Noav I have neA'cr sung in public in my lift 1 before,' 7 said Mr Mitchell. <4 E>ut I'ni g6ing to sing now," and to the applause of the Avhole assembly he gave *-an appropriate, if somewhat, lengthy Waiata in the Maori ton gue.

THE OPENING.

RUATOKI MAORI GATHERING

The Rev Wharctini Rangi then invited Sir Apirana Ngata to open the building, the kej* he handed him % ha\'_ a polished piece of greenstone (Maori gold) attached. Under the old tribal battle fiag of Tawhaki the first chief of Tuhoe to accept British sovereignty Sir Apirana stepped forward declaring the building open for the future benefit and expansion of the tribe. The unlocking of the door Avas the signal for an, outburst of applause, and following an inspection of the building and its contents there Avas a general movement to the temporary 'eating houses' erected nearby AA'here a veritable feast -Avas in readiness for the guests. FOOD IN ABUNDANCE. Preparations for the feeding of the guests must have been avcJl in hand and judging by the sumptuous nature of the fare and the general abundance there had been no stinting on, the part, of the stewards. The cooking and preparation had beeUjinjthe hands of a large party of men and Avomen while the waiting on the tables Avas performed by a neatly attired band of young girls. It was estimated th-'it over 800 guests sat down to the re. past Avhich was carried out in typL cal fashion the main object of the hosts seemingh 7 , being to make certain that everyone present had as much as they could possibly eat, before leaving. The afternoon proceedings Avere followed by a dance which drew a record attendance and lasted till midnight.