MEMORIAL TO FALLEN MAORI WARRIOR

Chronicle (Levin), 30 July 1946, Page 2

MEMORIAL TO FALLEN MAORI WARRIOR

-Press Association

By Telegraph-

jL/AitGA V .LLiLL, .1 uly Zi). Named after ino most potent taniwha vvliich ever inliabited the northeru Mairoa Jtiver, accordiug to Maori belief, and syxnbolxsing the friendship anu" good wishes of the northeru Alaoris, a carved aud paua shell inlaid walking stick was presented Lo the Priiiie Alimster at a hui following an unvciling cereniony at Ivaiiiu yesterday, which he performed in lionour of Lance Corporai xtloses JDaniels, who was kiited 111 action at TJ1 AJaniein. With the gil't went the 'expressed liope that it would carry with it the power of the taniwha so that Mr. 1'iaser niigiu ruie the country as the taniwha of old had ruled the tides iu the river. Tribes and sub-tribes from all parts of the proviuce joiued in poying lioniage to tlie fallen warrior and to ali servicemen who paid with their lives to safeguard the JJominion's heritage of freedom. Europeans from northeru Wairoa also joiued in the tribute. Assoeiated with tlie Prime Minister -.wowMthe hlaMttr of Dargaville, -Mr. AV, L. llugkes, and Col. j. C. Ilenare, fornier conimander of tlie Maori battaliou. Conducted by Iiev. Father hlcCarthy, the cereniony in tlie cenietery beside the Calliolic Church at Kaihu, was emotional with simple sincerity. Tlie widow and othoi close relatives stood behind a simple memorial, holding black lapes which led lo the mourning cloth draping the stone. At intervals throughout the cereniony tlie voices of a Maori choir joiued in tlie hymns.