THE MAORI PIONEER BATTALION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 167, 9 April 1919, Page 8

THE MAORI PIONEER BATTALION

' ENTHUSIASTIC. WELCOME. The return of the Maori Pioneer Battalion—the first complete unit to return ii-om the war—was the occasion of one of the most enthusiastic welcomes that has yet been extended at Auckland to returning soldiers, says a northern writer. Patella .and Maori alike joined in making the reception one worthy of a unique occasion.

"The Maoris directly participating in ■ the ceremonial of welcome were drawn up in three bodies facing the-Drive'gates. On the left were ranged the Waikato and Hauraki section, the Ngatimaniapoto, Ngatitipa, Ngatimatera, Ngatinaoa, and their sub-tribes, 'headed T>y the chiefs, John Ormsby and To Moerua; in the centre lay the northern tribes of Te Aupouri, Rarawa, Ngapnhi, and Ngatiwhatua, each under a chieftain of famous descent, with Tail Heharo at their head; while oil the right were arranged the Arawa and sub-tribes, of the Tuhour rangi.'Rangitihi, Pihiao, Whakatane, and others, under the leadership of tho old chief -Mita'.Taupopoke. On the extreme' right of the line waved the. mucTi-trea-sured Union Jack of the \Arnwas, tho gift of Royalty, the standard-bearer being Mika Aporo. (• Many, were the handsome mats and robes of ceremony worn in honour of the occasiou, some of them valued beyond price as tribal heirlooms. . Tan Hona.re wore a very fino korowai mat presented/by Lady Liverpool's committee to the'Ngapuhi tribe,in appreciation of their war sacrifices, and Mita Taupipoke looked splendidly 'barbaric in a \v underfill kiwi dress, with.finely worked kaitaka and pare, or headdress of kiwi feathers. Tohikuri, of tho Waikatos, Kawhiti, late, secretary to tho Maori' King, and Wikiriwbi, of the Arawas, were also handsomely robed in mats of chosen workmanship. Of rare design and texture were.those worn by some of the chieftianesscs of the Oiungn whenua, or home party, for the Maoris honour their women (gen more than do the pakeha as counsellor's, and leaders on occasions of state and war. Ofi mere meres, taiahas, and other valued relics of old-time warfaro -and ceremony but few were visible, but makeshift war axes had been fashioned to serve for the hakas of defiance and welcome.. One blade of pakeha-'steel and make was flashed proudly by its wearer. Hemana, wiio carried the sword presented bj ; Queen Victoria to his illustrious grandfather, Major Fox. By the time tho leading files of tho khaki-clad column swung into the ground 'and marched to their ordered places to the.inspiriting strains of military music, the awaiting tribes wore keyed to a very proper state of excitement, and worked themselves into a fine fervour. Several old rangitira, men and women, ran towards the advancing troops and began the opening phase' of the challenge to an approaching taua, whose intent-hostile or friendly—is supposed to be in doubt. At the same time the marshalled tribes danced their haka 1 of defiance, making ' a very creditable display of rolling eyes, protruding tongues, and fierce gestures as they beat the earth in good rhythm. Following the challenging knka the home party performed the powhiri, or dance of welcome, and this was followed by the final haka of welcome and invitation—Toia mai te whaka, literally drag Hip tho canoe," in which the performers go through' the semblance of helping their .visitors,' who- now have declared their peaceful purpose, to haul their canoes from the water. "Haere mail Haere mai!" was:called in (hearty greeting across the snace between tho hunga whenua and the home-coming warriors, who had shown a more stolid front' to lh ? brave welcome of their own folk than had the cmious pakoha looking on.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT GISBOENE.

v By Teleßranh-Press, Association. ■ / ' Gisborne, April 8. _ rhe East Coast members of the Maori Pioneer Battalion, numbering 2G4 men, arrived by the Mapourika to-dav,' and wero recorded a great reception by large crowds. The day was gloriously fine." The morning'was made the occasion of a public holiday, all the business premises being closed. The town"was liberally bedecked with bunting. On arrival of the tender at the wharf it was fully bellagged and enthusiastic scenes wore witnessed. The men were drawn up in a square, and addresses. of welcome were delivered by the Deputy Mayor (Mr. H. Hill),- Sir James Allen, and representatives of local bodies throughout the East Coast districts. The men\ headed by bands and accompanied by returned soldiers, Territorials, and Cadets, juarehed through the town amid a bombardment of flowers and confetti. They entrained at the railway, station for the Park racecourse, to be welcomed home at Hui Roha by Maoris from eve'ry pa between Hawke's Bay and Capo Runaway. Old Maori customs were observed at'the reception, and a. lengthy programme of hakas, poi dances, and a poi drama gone through. An impressive tangi was held during the al'tornoon. At a big church service Bishop Sedgwick paid a tribute to the Maori soldiers. During an interval in the proceedings Sir James Allen presented Private Toi Karini with tho Croix de .Guerre for an act of gallantry at Ypres. The huia and festivities will continue for a week.

Fifty members of the Maori Battalion who returned to New Zealand -by the Westmoreland at Auckland on Saturday night arrived at Wellington by train at 7.10 o'clock Inst night, and were welcomed on arrival by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke). All but nine of the men were for tho South Island, and their transport to tho Lytteltou ferry steamer was accelerated by tho good services of the Volunteer Motor Corps, in command of Captain W. Pryor.