Bell-House And Bell As War Memorial At Ruatoki Maori School

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 44, 7 May 1948, Page 6

Bell-House And Bell As War Memorial At Ruatoki Maori School

Recently a War Memorial was unveiled and dedicated at Tawera Maori School, Ruatoki. The memorial, which takes the form of a carved bell-house and bell approached from a carved gateway, houses a marked slab bearing the names of some 40 men of the district who served overseas in World War 11. The building surmounted by the memorial bell which has been named Te Maungarongo (signifying peace) is a fine example of co-op-erative work carried out by residents of the district from the initial carving to the final painting and decoration. In this respect special mention is due to Mr Hugh Fraser who very capably took charge of the construction work.

In spite of the steady rain a crowd of some hundreds gathered to witness the unveiling and pay homage to the fallen. The actual ceremony was .performed by Mr T. A. Fletcher, formerly Senior Inspector of Maori SJchools, and now of Head Office, Wellington, who made the journey especially for the occasion. The unveiling of the tablet and the bell was followed by a Dedication Service conducted by Rev. Wharetini Rangi, assisted by Rt. Rev. J. G. Laughton, Rev. Kihoro and Tahi Roberts representing the Ringatu Church. In his address following the dedication Mr Fletcher traversed the history of the Maori Battalion and concluded by reading the names of those killed making feeling reference to each, as most of them had been personally known to him. Owing to the weather conditions an ambitious programme of entertainment had to be abandoned. Nevertheless, the children of the school greeted the visitors with a traditional song, challenge and haka of welcome. This was followed by a speech of welcome in English and Maori by Dennis Moko, a pupil of Form II and was rounded off by a vigorous action song. Then came the more formal speeches of welcome by Mr Te Ihi Paerata Hawiki, Mr Takarua Tamarau and the headteacher Mr Carpenter. They were replied to by- Rt. Rev. Laughton, Mr Haeusler of Paroa, and later, following the unveiling by Mr Fletcher.

At the conclusion of formal ceremonies all were called to the dinner table where an excellent meal, hot from the hangi, was in readiness. In the conception design and layout of their project the school and district have a memorial which any community might well be proud, and as the tones of Te Maungarongo float over the valley, many might well pause for a moment and give a thought to those who gave their all Mr Tui Tawera, on the microphone, was an efficient interpreter and Master of Ceremonies.