UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL FLAGSTAFF AT MAORI SCHOOL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 43, 4 May 1948, Page 7

UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL FLAGSTAFF AT MAORI SCHOOL

A very impressive ceremony was held at the Paroa Totara Maori School recently, on the occasion of the unveiling of a Memorial Flagstaff. This beautifully carved flagstaff was erected by the Awa and Hohapata families in memory 'of three old boys of the school, 2/Lt. Jack Pile, Pte. W. Awa and Pte. L. Hohapata. . There was a large gathering of Maori both local and from outside districts, and also a number of pakeha visitors.

Major R. Vercoe, D. 5.0., was in charge .of the Returned Servicemen, who marched to their position of honour with the usual precision of the Maori soldier. The school children were lined up next to the Returned Soldiers, and the remainder of the gathering formed a hollow square round the flagstaff. The service, which was in Maori, was taken by the Rev. Wharetini Rangi, assisted by the Very Rev. J. G. Laughton. The address was given by Major Vercoe and Mr H. Hauesler spoke on behalf of the Education Department. Major Vercoe, assisted by four Returned Soldiers of the 1914-18 war, then unveiled the tablet at the base of the flagstaff. The flagstaff itself is a very fine specimen of Maori art. It was carved by Mr Kaka Niao, of Te Teko, and it shows that the art of ‘Whakano rakau’ has not been forgotten in this district. It is jnounted on a concrete base and has three plaques with the soldiers’ names inscribed upon them, inset on three sides of the top tier. . -