Waikato Maori League Supporters Visit Ruatoki

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 54, 9 June 1950, Page 5

Waikato Maori League Supporters Visit Ruatoki

Waikato visitors numbering 70 headed by Mr W. Eketone, personal secretary to Princess Te Puea, a member of the Maori Advisory Board, and Mr H. Berryman, president of the Waikato Rugby League Control Board, were received by the leaders of the Tuhoe people, on the Rewarewa Marae when they visited Ruatoki during the week-end. Mr Takurua Tamarau and Te Pairi extended a welcome on behalf of the Tuhoe people. Mr H. Puke replied. During the evening Mr T. Tawera, President of the Bay of Plenty Rugby League Control Board, welcomed members of the Waikato Board. In the course of his welcome he thanked the Waikato Maoris for sending teams into the district during the past two years and it is hoped that further matches will be arranged in order to stimulate the interest of the code in the district.

Mr Eketone in his reply, thanked Mr Tawera for the welcome, and gave the assurance that Waikato will be prepared to play as many games with Bay of Plenty as could be arranged and such matches to be played alternatively at Ng'aruawahia and either Ruatoki or Waimana.

On Monday night a very successful dance was held in Anzac Hali. Before the visitors departed at midnight Messrs Eketone and T. Skelton thanked the women’s social committee for the manner in which the catering v/as caxried out.