BIG NATIVE GATHERING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 161, 27 March 1918, Page 5

BIG NATIVE GATHERING

The Natives of Wairarapa have 'been engaged for nearly twelve months past in carving and erecting a meetinghouse (whare-runanga) at Carterton. Tho principal carver is Tuhuruhuru, of Rotorua. The timber for the house, whioh is built ■of totaia, was presented by the Rev. Hoani Tere Paerata, of Ngatituwharetoa tribe\ ' Tho whare-runanga is called "Uuku-tai-memeha," after the same of the canoe in which Maui was seated when he fished up the North Islaud of New Zealand, of which the Maoii name is "To Ika a Maui" (the fish of Maui). A figure of Maui engaged in fishing, beautifully' carved by Turei, of Wairarapa, is set over the entrance to the meoting-house. The main frontal post, which contains amongst other figures tho "fish," is another work of ait executed by Hepi Kabotea to Heuheu, of Ngatituwharetoa tribe. Tho house is lined with kahikatea, cut to represent reeds. Invitations to the formal opening of the house , -have been sent to members of the Ministry, Sir Walter Buchanan, and the Wairarapa representatives in Parliament, and to all the Native tribes throughout New Zealand. Tho visitors will be welcomed in the ■customary Maori manner by Major Brown Tunuiarangi. Another Native function which will take place __•. is the unveiling by Sir James Allen of a stone, erected in the marae in front of the meetinghouse, to commemorate the centenary of the establishment of the Church of England in New Zealand by tlie Rev. Samuel Marsden in the year 1814. This function, which should have taken olace on December 20. 1914, was delayed on account of the war.