TE ARAI HUI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1702, 19 March 1913, Page 8

TE ARAI HUI.

A MEMORABLE OCCASION. Wednesday was n memorable one at T.'o Arai (says the "Times',). The extensive liui grounds were thronged with natives from all parts of tlio district, whilst representatives of the various tribes, extending from Northrn Auckland to the South Island, continue to arrive in daily contingents. For some days past welcome ceremonial functions have been proceeding as the visitors have arrived. On Wednesday, however, the. . ceremony was on a. largo scalc, and 'the fact that the Native Minister, the Hon. W. If. Hemes, was being, officially ;welcomed attracted hundreds of pakchas,' residents both ot town and country districts. 'There are. several thousand Natives ill camp, and these are quartered in tho.largo slcepint'-liouses, marquees, and numerous tents ranged around the grounds. About 11 o'clock there, wc* a great hustle of preparation's. Just inside the inarae, hidden by some intervening _ buildings, there was !V large squad of visitors who had just arrived. Within the enclosuro the stalwart warriors and the band of Native women were preparing for the reception. The shrill piping of a steam whistlo announced the fact that the visitors had arrived. Advancing slowly, the squad drew into the courtyard enclosure in the centre of the grounds. Their appearance, headed bv a couple of flag-bearers, was the signal to the warriors, waiting in the enclosure. In the foreground stood a body of Tolaga Bay, Muriwai, and Mnngatu Natives, led by Timote Maitai, who tenUered a welcome haka with groat gusto. Tlio welcome was taken, up by a big squad of Ngatiporou,' under the Hon. A. T. Ngata, and a. remarkable exhibition of this ancient custom was witnessed. The Native' women were attired in loose costumes of white and blue,.'with mats suspended from their waists, whilst the warriors were stripped in fighting fashion, wearing mats and Ted loin cloths. It was a memorable'sight as they went through their splendid performance in a manner that displayed excellent-training. Both tlio performers and the hundreds of Native spectators who lined the enclosure showed evidence of much emotion, whilst the crowds of pakehas frequently _ gave heartv plaudits. Amongst tlio visitors was Molii Te Atahikoia, a leading Hawke s Bay chief, others coming from the same district and the Wairarnpa. Tlio Hon. A. T. Ngata, in his capacity as a, rangatira, led his splendid squad in a manner that created/ great enthusiasm. At this stago there arose an unfortunate contretemps that was evidence of the peculiar Native customs'which still obtain 'A Native'announced the arrival of the Hon. Te Hen Heu, the leading Tnupo chief, who, with his party, was to be received in the enclosure,' following the other visitors. Te Heu lieu, however, sent word that he expected to be .received in front of the marae, beneath the big flagpole from which, i lie tribal flag flew. The procedure had been arranged otherwise, but lie was obdurate, an<l the others wer«' equally so. However, the good offices of "Lady Carroll secured a reconciliation, but tlie. usual,'function was to some extent curtailed. Meanwhile the first section of visitors moved on to the runanga. house, m the front of which stood a iw of photos of departed chiefs. In tribute to their memory there was ,the usual tangi. The visitors poured into the liui grounds all day, and as they entered ' monetary donations were solicited. 'A happv spirit appears to prevail amongst the great crowds of Natives, who congregated during the-'luncheon, singins their various songs. The Native Minister's reception, which was to have been held in tlio morning, was postponed until 2.30, and was tlio occasion of further impressive ceremonies. Tlio Hon. Dr. Pomare wiis also a visitor, ami was : received with due regard to custom. ■