MEMORIAL SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 43, 25 January 1944, Page 5

MEMORIAL SERVICE

LATE ARAWA CHIEF AND LATE

MRS CHARLES ROGERS

A beautiful memorial service to tiie late Kcv. Hemana Pokilia, a para mount chief of the Arawa Tribe* and the late Mrs Charles Rogers,., who was a staunch adherent to the Anglican faith, was conducted in the meetinghouse a* Makctu recently. The servic was conducted in Maori by Bishop F. A. Bennett, of, Hastings,, assisted by the Rev. M. Tumatahi, of Whakarewarewa, and the Rev. M. Bennett, of' Te Puke. An altar had been set up in the meetinghouse and scats and Maori mats accommodated the congregation. Four liynms were sung in Maori and these were a joy to listen to. The customary burial service hymn which closed the service was magnificent, the Maori vocalists breaking into solo and choir wo-rk in most inspiring manner. When a Maori congregation sings the result is thrilling. In his address the Bishop referred to the two departed friends as - pillars! on which the Makctu Church - work had been built. They had laid strong foundations but those* who were left must step in. to fili their places or the wQrk of years •would crumble. After the service all present were fed in traditional Maori fashion to a most appetising repast. A strong band of workers had prepared the meal over which the Bishop gave thanks. Generally speaking no one missed the usual knives and forks in disposing of pork, beef, kumaras, potatoes and cabbage, but jelly and cream was added to the menu and. presented some difficulty. On out right was' a dainty Maori school teacher. She emptied the salt out of the shell in which it rested, and there wasi Nature's spoon. * . In' the afternoon the Bishop's * wounded son, Lieut-Colonel C. 'M. Bennett, held the crowd spellbound while lie related the course of some of the actions in which the jVtaori Battalion played the major role* In the process of taking Hill 2G9 Lieut. Ngarimu lost his life', but gained the Victoria Gross, Lieut-Col. Bennett won his: D.S.O. and nins. other decorations were granted for deeds performed during that" brilliant 24-iliour action.