MATATUA SAILS AGAIN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 62, 15 September 1939, Page 5

MATATUA SAILS AGAIN

i - CANOE RACING IN AUCKLAND ' BAY IIAKA AND IJOIl J OI TEAMS iM M €f ft\'fcE FORMED Manned by Maoris of the Matatin tribes, the modern Matatua canoe, nanied for the historic craft on which their ancestors voyaged to.New Zealand in the fourteenth century, will float on the waters of the Waitcmata Harbour early in January next year. One of the canoes built by Princess te Puea"s craftsmen at Ngaruawahia has been named after the Bay of Plenty Maoris' tribal vessel? and at a recent meeting in Whakatane it was decided to train paddlcrs to man Matatua and take part in the regatta with the other tribes. Haka and poi parties are also to be trained and they will compete with other tribal representatives for cups and trophies in the big centcnrnial demonstrations at Auckland. This will prove valuable practice for the centennial celebrations in Whakatane some AA-eeks later. A decision to take part in these events was made at a meeting in Whakatane between a sub-committee of the Tauranga centennial committee and a sub-committee of the Maori centennial committee in this district. It was held in the Whakatane Borough Chambers on September 2. SIXTY PADDLERS. It was reported that Princess te Puea was willing to lend canoes to the people of the districts associated with the ancestral craft for which they are named, and Mr G. Paul, representing the Matatua Maoris on the Auckland Centennial said that it was suggested in Auckland that the Matatua canoe should be manned by their own people. The Tauranga people are Matatua clans and they are anxious to participate. As Whakatane is the centre of the Matatua district it could supply the bulk of the paddlers needed. Twenty of the crew could come from Tauranga and tile other 40 from Whakatane, the Urewera and Opotiki. This was approved. A good deal, of; pxacti.cc. will . be necessary if the Matatua canoe is to triumph "ih" "the r&Ciiirg rtrid 'some'of this practice can be done in small canoes. It was suggested that the crew could also go to Rotoriia for practice for the Arawas are borrowing a canoe from the Waikato people The entry of parties in the poi ; song and haka competitions was also discussed. It was decided to enter Matatua teams in these events. The Tauranga people will practice items and the local Maoris will do the same. There will be a combined demonstration in Tauranga, and the best items will be entered for the Auckland competitions. Following the visit to Tauranga there will be a combined demonstration in Whakatane . COST OF PARTICIPATION. These two big displays of Maoii dance and song should mean, the raising of a substantial amount of money towards the expenses, of the Auckland which will chiefly consist of transport charges, as arrangements have been made for the competing teams to camp at Auckland and their keep will be provided for. It has been suggested that the Government should be asked to make a reduction in fares to the parties. The local committee was to have me? again last Saturday, but petrol restrictions forced a postponement. The plans have been quite enthusiastically received. The fact that the entertainment parties will make at least three public appearances before they take part in the centennial celebrations at the Whakatane Heads will mean that their work will be of a high order.