MAORIS HONOUR KING KOROK

Chronicle (Levin), 9 October 1947, Page 7

MAORIS HONOUR KING KOROK

AHGKLANl), Oct. 8. ^From.points as far distunl as Taihape aiid \\ anganui, abput 1006 rei>resenlatives of some 18" Maori' tribes and lnipus assembJed at Ngaruawahia pa today to honour Jxing lvoroki on the 14th anriiversary of his coronation. The ceiebration was, by Maori standards, u coniparatively modest oue as there was Jittle of the traditional eereinoiiy but the aiiniversary provided a demonstration of the King movement(s important i>lace in the alfairs of the Maori people. Maoris begau to arrive in l'orce on Tuesdav and by this luorning visitors l'rqpi Rotonuq Tokaanu, Taihape, Wanganui, Taranaki, the King Country, Waikato, Kawhia and Auckland were exchanging greetings at the pa. .Special buses brought niany of the visitors and the usual lavish preparations had been made in the cdokhouse. The ceiebration began in the lnorning .with a religious service on the Marae oi Mahinarangi, tlie ornate meeting house. At its entrance Koroki was seated surrounded by the elders of tlie tribes. With tliem were Mr. JNL. ]{.,Jones, secretary to the A1 inister of the Native Department. The history of the -Kiiig movenicnt was recalled by the presence aniong the partv of Wiremu Tamehana, of Morrinsville, a descendant of the famons " king-niaker " of the sanie nanie. Princess Te Puea Herangi was seated 011 the marae near a corner. of the meeting house. Several Aiaori niinisters look part in the service. After the service a coronation shield competed for annually by Maori rugby teams, was returned to King Koroki hy representatives of last year 's winuing teain, Aotearoa, Auckland. The cereniony closed with addresses by chiefs and eldeis in which King Koroki was hbnoured and the visitors were welcomed. Eniphasis was placed on sjiort. As soon as the niorniiig's cereniony was over 16 basketball and three football teams began a series of matches which lasted until Ihe end of the day. Tlie games were iiiterruplfid only by midday diuner in tlie large dining liall which lield 400 Maoris at eacli sit.Ung. The tables were packed with dishes of pork, fowl, whitebait, eels and othor delicacies. The celebrations concluded with a diniier and danco in the evening.