BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1950 SIX HUNDRED YEARS OF HISTORY
' Not for perhaps another 100 years will Eastern Bay of Plenty know an event of such historical significance as that which will take place this weekend —the six hundredth anniversary of the arrival of the canoe which brought from the farthest Pacific* the men and. women who were virtually the pioneers of this district.
The history of this area began, really, not with the arrival of the first Pakehas but with the coming of the first Maoris. Such tradition as may have been had by any people who lived here before that has been lost but the story, legend and tradition of the Maori before and after his arrival have been kept intact to the extent that they are the biggest part of the history of the district.
The Pakeha has brought his greater culture, his roads, bridges, farms, houses, shops and motor cars but the Maori had his community life and the basis of his civilisation 500 years before he saw a white man. To the age-old story of this Bay, the white man has contributed but a chapter, though a chapter of great achievement. The Maori has accepted European ideas but the background of his own past is always with him. The Maori’s story in 600 years, with all the legend associated with it, will be recounted when, this weekend, some of the many descendants of the few who came in the Matatua will meet at Whakatane.
Ever war-like, made thus by circumstances which forced them to fight always for the continued existence of their tribes, the Maoris will, fittingly, unveil tomorrow a memorial to the dead of their two more recent wars, wars in which they defended, even as of old, their freedom and their families.
This is no mere gathering of Maoris for feasting and jollity. It is an historic meeting of the descendants of pioneers.
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 99, 22 September 1950, Page 4
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328BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1950 SIX HUNDRED YEARS OF HISTORY Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 99, 22 September 1950, Page 4
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