RANGATIRAS' FAREWELL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 10

RANGATIRAS' FAREWELL

GOOD WISHES Of ARAWAS

LETTEB TO PBIME MINISTEB.

Tho following letter, signed on behalf of the chiefs of the Arawa tribe, Taiporutu te Mapu, Wiremu Ereatara, Kepa Ehau, and Morehu te Kirikau, has been sent to the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, wishing him farewell on the occasion of his departure for the Imperial Coaference:— '' Greetings to the honoured and loved chief of Aotoaroa, "We have been requested by the rangatiras of the Arawa Canoe to wish you and Mr 3. Coates, on tho eve of i your departure, bon voyage across the I Ocean of Kiwa from the shores of your beloved New Zealand to England, the homo and throne of their revered King and Queen and the cradle of a just and courtly race, with all its noble instituI tions, traditions, and history. "To Their Majesties King George V. and Queen Mary please convey our warmest regards and aroha, our steadfast loyalty to his illustrious house, and our liveliest pleasure at the near propoct of meeting yet other members of the Boyal Family the Duke and Duehoss of York, Kaati Tena. "Sir, six years ago, when His Royal Highness the Prince, of Wales was in Rotorua, the Arawa tribes presented him, among other things, with a model in miniaturo of a proposed Arawa soldiers' memorial to be erected in Eotorua. We have pleasure in stating, that this memorial will ba completed next February, and we would feel it a great honour if the , Prince's brother, the Duke of York, would consent to unveil the memorial when he comes to New Zealand next year. We therefore ask you respectfully, on behalf of the loyal Arawas, to submit this wish to His Majesty the King, and, if he approves, to charge the Duke .accordingly. " Regarding your important mission, we say: 'Be.strong!' We fear not that the mantle of your illustrious predecessors, Seddon, Ward, and you/ beloved chief, Massey, now on your young and vigorous shoulders, will be worn with tho same distinction and honour. In conclusion, please remember us to former Governors of the Dominion, to Sir James and Lady Parr, and all friends you may meet in England. Kia ora. Do not tarry long. Return to your canoe."