HAEREMAI

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1930, Page 2

HAEREMAI

MAORIS WELCOME BRITISH TEAM. v

GIRTS .OF GREENSTONE,

CHRISTCHURCH, June 7

; Pretty ‘Maori /.maidens, stalwart Maori young men, eager Maori, boys, and old -Maoris with reflective eyes extended the hand of frendship to the mem berk of the British Rugby football team, who, with members of tiie New Zealand Test team, visited the pa f at ij’uahiwi yesterday afternoon.' ' 4 % ' '

The Maoris and their .guests, however, were not the only parties interested in the function, for car loads of Visitors from far and near arrived in the course of the afternoon and long before the foojballers arrived they lined the road up to the reception; hall. Naturally it was impossible to accommodate them all in the hall, and indeed the public interest in the event was something of a surprise to the Maoris, who, had they foresee it.: the occurrence,- might have, iheld; t)ie welcome Out of, dOoi’S. Certainly the weather would have been no deterrent, for the afternoon was gloriously, fine. /.The attendance must ‘have*-numbered ! a thousand. ’

>•" TUMULTUOUS WELCOME,

'Tb the' Maoris it was a memorable day, and: long before the visitors arrived they were waiting anxiously ard excitedly’ for , the first signs of tlieir approach. They had not put in an appearance at the appointed time, so that when at last they did arrive they were welcomed in a tumult of noise.

A bevy of Maori lasses gave the visitors, the Powhiri, .a song of welcome. and, amid a paean of triumph, they were ushered into the hall by the young men, in Native costume, N and dancing and shouting joyfully. “Haeremai, Haeremai!” greeted them on all sides, a.s the visitors came in view of the Natives, seated in orderly rows oil one side of the hall. If there had been any ice to break Aarvold would have done it vlhen,, with an engaging smile, he prized a tiny brown baby from his proud parent, and,, amid a Voar of laughter from his colleagues, to6k liis seat with the infant firmly clasped in his arms. Tlie reception took the form of a number of speeches of welcome by the leaders of the pa, followed by a Maori programme.

QUEEN VICTORIA’S MESSAGE

The fitst Speaker was Mf R-. HaruWita, who Spoke in his Own language, Mr W. D. 'Barrett interpreting‘‘l Welcome yon here,’* Mb tlara» wira .said, “to see the descendants of the old people who have gone, and to tell you that wo are .still one of Queen Victoria’s great supporters of the British Empire, and that before she died sh.e said to her advisors: ‘Whatever you do, look after my Maori people..,of New Zealand.’ And to-day we have you, a British team, and the children of the people who heard Queen Victoria ,say those valued words for our benefit. Therefore welcome, and welcome again, Haeremai! Haeremai! Haeremai!”

Mr Harawira added that be was also pleased to be able to greet members of the All Black team, and the officials of both the Canterbury and the New Zealand Rugby Unions. He also told the visitors that Kaiapoi had from time immemorial been recognised as the headquarters of the Maoris of the South Island.

Mr H. Rupeue also extended a, welcome, and after thanking the officials of the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Canterbury Rugby Union tor making the reception possible, said that loolung at the members of the British team, they were reminded of the days when Captain Cook came to New Zealand. He, too, was a British subject, and he sent word back to Queen Victoria, -whom they all respected and admiredand loved. Therefore all the Maoris’ of, the South Island,’’ he addedj.'d'and particularly of this village, extend - youha;hyelcome. Through the good (efforts/ .;,in the .- reign of Queen Victoria the two braces have been brought amicably together in peace and harmony. Therefore the Maoris cry: ‘Haeremail Haeremai! Haeremai!’ Although you have come on a football mission it does not alter the heiirty welcome we give you. Kia ora, kia ora, kia ora.”

MAORI LOYALITY PRAISED

Mr James Baxter, the manager cf the team, thanked their “Maori cousins” for their warm and delightful welcome. “You have referred to the Throne of England,” he said, “and the rulers of this great Empire. We knew, before we came here that there was no question that the most loyal,, people of the Empire were the Maori" race, and I feel sure that one and all of us have felt a great affection and liking for you. The more we see of you the more we like you. We bring nothing with us except our sincere appreciation, as a token of which I you to accept this framed picture of our side, to which every member has signed his name.” Here Mr Baxter made the presentation, and three cheers were given for the British team.

Mr F. 1). Prentice, the captain of the team, also thanked their hosts for the welcome, and then the programme was proceeded with. A beautiful Maori hymn before action, “E‘ Ilui e to Kingi hui,” was sung, and this was followed by a single poi. Mr H.

Couch sang a. stirring song descriptive of the Maori race, and lnvkais by the young men and the boys were a prominent feature. Strong men though they were, some of the English visitors watched with trepidation the activities of the youth with .a flashing greenstone mere. A Maori waiata, ‘‘E Puti Puti Pai,” a double poi, and a waka poi .(canoe poi) formed the rest of the programme, the British team watching the proceedings with the keenest appreciation.

PRESENTATION TO VISITORS

The surprise of the afternoon was the presentation to Air Baxter and to Mr Prentice of two substantial blocks of greenstone in the. natural state, and it was explained to them that greenstone' had been prized by Maoris for all time, and that, the West Coast,was the only place in the world where it could be obtained. I ne North Island Maoris used to come down for it. Mr Baxter was also presented with a greenstone paper knife, surmounted by a tiki, and each member of the team was presented with a small piece of polished greenstone. Mrs Kara,wira made the presentations, and the hope was cxpiessed that the'. „small tokens would help to cement the friendships made in New Zealand, arid particularly in lualiiwii . ■

When Martifidale’s turii came, in response-td the demands of the Maori maidens lie niched Poses with Mrs Ha-nvwira, thus performing; the Maori form of greeting dr “liorlgi.” Farrell, the popular Irishman, was given much applause, a previous visit on his part accounting for his popularity. He duly performed the ceremony of rubbing noses. O’Neill, another young Irishman, and Snong also Hongi d, the latter being greeted with shrieks of applause by the Maoris. As each of the later men went up to receive his gifts he was ordered to “<ome «>»” and rub noses by his fellow players, but most of them were content with hand shakes. Wilkinson, however, obeyed instructions, as the last of the contingent. When H. Rew, the wellknown forward, stepped out there was a chorus of “Come on, Henry,” but “Henry” did not. On behalf of the recipients, Air Baxter briefly returned thanks. The gathering then broke up tor afternoon tea, the footballers being taken in charge bv the Maoris and the young autograph liunteis.