REMARKABLE PILGRIMAGE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1948, 3 January 1914, Page 6

REMARKABLE PILGRIMAGE.

MAORI BOYS' LONG WALK. ; (By Tclctrraph—Press Association'.).:'' Auckland,- January 2. The last stago of a long march will bo completed early to-morrow afternoon by' a -party of Maori boys, who are walking 825 miles-from-their -homes at To Kao (a' littlo. settlement near North Cape), to-, the Auckland- • Exhibition. ' They reached Silverdalo last -evening,- and will enter the Exhibition grounds cariy to-morrow- afternoon to give a, short performance -at the" floral "carnival. A few days ago those boys saw a railway locomotiyo for 'tho first time, and, as they have come south, other objects remarkable in their experience havo come under their observation.' Tlicre are twelvo boys in the party, the ages ranging from 12 years to 16 years, and they are -making their first- excursion' from their homes. Mr. Banks has accompanied them on foot, and his assistant. a young Maori woman, has also made the journey, but on horseback. A few hours over three weeks will have been occupied in the journey. A start was mado from To Kao in tho forenoon of Decomber 13, and daily stages from 11 milos to 23 miles have been made.' ' Arest of ono day was provided in tho original programme, but was not taken, and by a doublo march of 25 mites, a second day was jrnined, so that tho journey has actually occupied only 19 days, with an average of 17 miles per day.

A start will bn made at, seven o'cloek to-morro\v morning on tho journey of 20 miles to ■ T)evnport. Tho boys will h" met by the Ponsonhy Dri'»n p'id Fifo Band, and escorted to the Exhibition. At 3 n.m., thev will complete their remarkablo pilgrimage.