A POPULAR DOCTOR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 10, 26 March 1947, Page 6

A POPULAR DOCTOR

ENTHUSIASTIC MAORI CROWD GATHERING AT MATATUA Extraordinary scenes expressing the loyalty and affection .of the Urewera Maoris were witnessed at Te Waiatemotu, the historic gathering of the Matatua Pa, Ruatahuna, on Saturday afternoon and evening, when Dr. E. H. Bridgman, medical superintendent of the Rotorua Hospital, who has been a regular visitor to the district for the past four years, was farewelled prior to his departure on extended leave for England. There was a great assemblage of Maoris for the whole district, and also present .were Sister Annie and Miss Quayle, of the Mission station, Mr J. Henderson, of the Internal Affairs Department, and Mr and Mrs D. C. Beale, of the schoolhouse, Ruatahuna. The organisers of the gathering were Pakiti Wharekiri, chief of the Matatua community, and Mrs Wharekiri. The guest of honour was escorted on to the marae by Mr T. L. Morrison. The principal speakers were Raniera Manihera, Tahuri Tauaki and Tatara Te Waaka, on behalf of the tribe; Constable W. Bidois, who was, spokesman for the Te Whaiti Village, and also acted as interpreter, and Mr Beale, who expressed thinks of the school children for Dr. Bridgman’s work. Three gifts were presented to the guest, a beautiful korowhai, with which he was invested by Mrs Molly Roberts, a carved inlaid trinket box, and a whakiki mat, weaved for the occasion by the only existing expert weaver in the Urewera, Tani Waaka.

The children of Huiarau school gave a programme of songs, chants, pois and vociferous hakas in the roro (verandah), of the meetinghouse. Dr. Bridgman was received with acclamation on rising to reply. Then followed the opening of the hangi, from which was drawn all the delicacies which the Urewera •can produce. The festivities were continued in the evening with a social and dance, and Dr. Bridgman returned to Rotorua on Sunday. . . .