NOTABLE MAORI GATHERING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 71, 25 August 1947, Page 5

NOTABLE MAORI GATHERING

RUATOKI WAR MEMORIAL NEW HALL OPENED ‘SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE’ While so many of its neighbouring districts are still indeterminate with regard to the erection of their respective War Memorials, the Maori settlement of,Ruatoki has completed its effort in the shape of a substantial co-memorative hall, which was officially opened last Saturday, by Mr J. Omana, M.P. and is a handsome addition to the other tribal buildings in the main Pa.

The gathering which attended the 'ceremony was probably one of the most notable tribal and representative musters ever to grace the marae. Maori representatives came from the tribal areas of Ngapuhi, (North Auckland), Waikato (South Auckland), Te Aroha (Rotorua), Ngati Porau ( East Coast), Ngati Kohungunu (Hawke’s Bay), Wanganui and Matatua generally. Government representatives included Mr J. Omana, M.P., and Mr M. Jones (Secretary'to the Minister of Native Affairs). Sir Apirana Ngata and other leading figures in Maori activities were also present, and it is estimated that well over 700 persons witnessed the ceremony which dedicated the hall to the memory of the 18 local Maori warriors w T ho made the supreme sacrifice and the 106 men who served overseas in the Maori Battalion. Animated Scene The marae itself presented a memorable picture prior to the actual ceremonial of ‘lifting the tapu’ from the new building, by Messrs. Tari • and Puke of the Ringatu Church.. ’This procedure is necessary, according to Maori custom before the building can be used £or ordinary purposes. Flags and bunting fluttered from a dozen vantage points and it was obvious from the Maori point of view that the occasion was a gala one in which almost every family had a direct interest. The visitors were greeted by Takarua Tamarau the paramount chief of the Tuhoe tribe which numbers the Matatua confederation in its boundaries and extends as far as Lake Waikaremoana. It was largely due to the enthusiasm and initiative of this leader whose son Lieut. H. Takarua, heads the district Roll of Honour that the hall was actually planned and brought into being.

Mr Tui Tawera made an excellent commentator on the loud speaking system and kept the Pakeha section of the gathering informed as. to the progress of the proceedings.

Sir Apirana Ngata’s Remarks

Sir Apirana Ngata spoke at some length, for the visitors, warmly congratulating the Tuhoe peoples on their excellent achievement, which he said would stand for many ' years as a symbol of sacrifice made by the Maori warriors in the great battle for freedom. He dealt widely with existing conditions as they applied to the Maori race and mentioned several of the weaknesses of the rehabilitation scheme as it applied to the Maoris. Other speakers were Messrs. M. Jones (Native Department), R. Vercoe, Rev. J. G. Laughton, J. Keepa (Whakatane) and R. Pairi (Waimana).

Officially Opened

Declaring the hall officially open Mr J. Omana, M.P., said that he trusted it would long serve a useful purpose in the community and would be a constant reminder of the debt which was owed to those who had answered the call to duty. Associated with him in the procedure were Sir Apirana Ngata, Col. Awatere and Mr Jones.

The official then adjourned to the hall where an impressive service of Dedication was conducted by Revs. Wharetini Rangi and Ramahaki.

Roll Of Honour

A further ceremonial was enacted in the unveiling of two inscribed marble plaques at the eastern end of the building which featured the names of all men from the district who joined the Maori Battalion and served overseas in the 2nd N.Z.E.F. 'Between the panels the words “Lest We Forget” were surmounted by "the Battalion badge over the word ‘Arohanui’. The ceremony was performed again by Mr J. Omana. Sir Apirana Ngata made a further short address on which he referred to the name of the hall as the Tumatauenga Memorial Hall. The ‘hui’ part of the programme then took place, with typical Ruatoki lavishness. A dozen large tables in the hall itself were packed with -visitors, the local natives having "their repast on the open ground out-

side. The work in this connection was carried out entirely by the committee of ladies drawn from the settlement.

The social side occupied the major part of the afternoon when old friendships were renewed and when those who had come from long distances were accommodated in the large green marquees erected for the occasion. NEAT AND ATTRACTIVE TRIBUTE TO MAORI CRAFTSMANSHIP The new hall is a large substantial building which will admirably fulfil the social needs of the settlement for many years to come. It was built entirely by Maori labour and is neat and attractive in design..

Ranged round the walls are the coloured framed pictures of the King and Queen and the war leaders who figured in the great conflict. These included Lord Montgomery and General Freyberg and were presented to the tribe by Sir Harry Batterbee ex Trade ,-Commissioner from the United Kingdom. The electric lamp' shades are unique in that they carry the legend of the battle honours won by the Maori Battalion in the last war.