MAORI ROYALTY

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1921, Page 2

MAORI ROYALTY

LETTER TO THE KING. WELLINGTON, Jane 28. An interesting letter from an old Maori living near Historic Rokianga, has just been received by the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes in his capacity of Minister of Defence. A translation runs as follows:. ‘To their Majesties George and Queen Alary.-Greetings to you and to the Royal Family. Greetings to you all, with the blessing of God upon you. I have received your letter of condolence in regard to my son who was killed at the front during the great war. and who died for his King and Country. I deeply appreciate the honour of receiving your message of condolence. God save the King. I am sending you with this letter our photograph. We are the parents of Wikitera Reone Ngarulte. Sufficient is that. T am applying to the British Government—that is your Government—for a Hag. I desire that the flag he used to commemorate the date of the death of my son, and to perpetuate his memory. Let the flag be six yards long and three yards wide, and let his likeness lire inscribed on the flag, and also the date of his death. For that reason T am forwarding you his photograph. Sire, that is all. T small deem it a great honor if you accede to, mv request. That is all.—From your humble servant. Kihitera Reoim Ngaruhe.’’ With the letter, written in Maori, in rather a slmky hand, came a picture of the old man and his wife. The photograph of the son who gave his life for King and Country is also enclosed. It is quite likely that the letter will he sent on to the King, through the medium of the Governor-General. An effort will also eh made to send the old man a flag, though in the present state of the country’s finances it \v-r----not be six yards long by three yards wide.