AN HISTORIC INTERLUDE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 137, 18 March 1940, Page 5

AN HISTORIC INTERLUDE

NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST KUB3L4RA PLANTING AT THE PA iiil ense in I" rest was show!! by the Minister of Internal Affairs in the Hi.tie ceremony at the Pa on Saturday, when, on the property of Mr A. O. Stewart,, was re-enacted by a selected group of -Maoris, the planting of the lirst kumara from thd Matatua Canoe, on the traditional spot where it was originally pkfnted As explained by Mr Stewart, who acted as official announcer for this part of the programme, the earth, in which they were about to insert the tubers was claimed by the elders of the tribe to have been brought in baskets from Ilawaiki itself. The actual planting was considered most sacred and only the most instructed tolumgas were capable of performing it. This was in view of the fact that the Uuinara was the staple food of the Maori and therefore had to be treated with respect. It was always planted with the cut end towards the East, in fealty to the rising sun and even to-day this practice was observed. The tohunga for Saturday's pcrforomance was Mr To. Ke Kapo-o-tc-Rangi, one of the few remaining Maoris conversant with the formula. The expert in the actual digging was Mr Pati Kura. The Maori hoe. or spader was used in the process and created considerable interest. During the plant ing ceremony Mr Stewart, in a commentary for the benefit of the onlookers, drew attention to the historic background of the area npon which they stood. On the top of the high cliffs on the South was the Pa known as ICaapu-Te-Rangi,- occupied by the father of all the early tribes, Toikairakau (Toi, the wood-eater). Slightly to the North was situated the old Kgnpuhi Pa known as Orahiri, which was vacated by the Xgani'.hi people after a difference willi Iheir kinsmen of Malatua. Ail present were intrigued by the ceremony which was particularly suited to the Centennial observai ion.