VICE-REGAL TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1933, Page 3

VICE-REGAL TOUR

GREAT MAORI WELCOME

WANGANUI. RIVER JOURNEY. WANGANUI, January 17. Many years may pass before there is again such a demonstrat.on from the .Vaoris of the Wanganui River as that which took place when the GovemorGeneual, Lord Bjedisloe, and the Lady Bledisloe, called at various pas on their river boat trip from l’ipiriki to Parikino. Ron-iug halms that sent echoes ringing across the wide waters, cries of welcome speeches full of sentiment and loyalty, •arid the singing of fai’ew'elis made -it an experience not to be •■forgotten. Their Excellencies and party left pipii*ikj House at 9 a.m., with a wann morning ,?im sparkling on the rjppling ■waters of th P pool at the landing. ■*bout 100 'Maoris gathered at the landing and, as the boat drew slowly out, ■ their voices were lifted in what became a most enchanting melody. “Haere, Kani'o* Ra.” Many were the songs heard during the day, hut perhaps that farewell at Pipij-iki was the s wee tee t of all.

MANY STOPPING FLACKS'. Gliding down the river between the lowering bush-clad’ hit's, the Waknpai carried the party .from one pu to another. At all stopping places T'hfrr Excellencies alighted; and welcoming hakas and speeches were heard on the Iribal grounds. At each in a rae or tribal courtyard there were flapr? swaying in the breeze, 'Maori tribal flags and (ho national ’flag, which hung from flagstaff's or the branches of lofty trees. At Ranana and Jerusalem presents were mad? to Their Excellencies of Maori waist mats., of the beat in the hush of the district without the aid of poke ha influence. Bouquets were presented to Her Excellency. When the party arrived at <a point about two miles above Pnrikino, the boat war, io-ned by a fully-mamrod war '■ono°. and it was one of tha features of the dnv to see the rhythmic swine of tha paddles w’th tile brown bodie~P the ’Maori* warrior bepdlnr t 0 th" strain. From (hat point to Pari kino the ,oanop paddled with the boat.

(MAORIS AND FARMING. Stops were made at Jerusalem. R an ' 1 on, Koroniti, Galatea and Parfkino. H ,r Excellency T-pli?d to welcome,? at each oa. Ho emphasised the nc?d for you’w Haora? to learn up-to-date . s cientifp Farming methods and expressed h pleasure with the work being done at fh P Moriknu development farm, at Hamki. Up said tu a t although the pre. mnt period was one of depression ; wit’ low prices for .farming, product?, better times would com:?. Hr hop”d that, who-' they did com.? the young Maoris wouU’ be fitt'pd to gain a livelihood from thr soil.

There wan. said Fist Excellency, limr' hop or r in th? cultivation of the lam than in owning it. .He- hoped that a' present the Maoris would fit thmv,elvO< to help along th e rniUonM canoe v;P v she pakpha. He i-ai’d His 'Majesty w -?h ed them to maintain, their arts am crafts. ,especially carving, and to re. tain their beautiful language and then prid« of race. His Majesty was great]' appreciative of tire:r loyalty, shown o' 1 the battle of Moutoa, wh?n the fvie-ir 11 - Wanganui natives engaged the hostile Hau Hans at an island up the riven and saved Wanganui from attliek, and which thev had also shown in render on Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Great War.

His Excellency go id he wished them to retain faith, in God .and loyalty ti the Crown and Empire. Rome yoni. r people in the world, even in New Zea land, im.agined they could live in p?> feet peace and prosperity without religion. ’They were making a profounr n‘stake. ]f th e Maoris wished tlieichildren to live in the same happ'nes' is their forefathers they should; teach them to fear God. He expressed regre 4 at tb e depletion of the Maori race a lorn the river and adjured Hmm to praHi" hygienic living conditions. He hoped ‘he .future would see an 'increase ir their numbers.

The Maoris in all thair speeches thank?d tbe Governor for purchasing th r property at the site of the signing o th e Treaty of Waitangi, thus perpetual'

‘••a the memory of the great occasion Thev expressed their continued loyalt*o the Grown and friendship wjth th. Pakeha.

The Vi<-•»-]>eovi 1 party will stay to night in Wanganui. His Excellency wil 'nnjfict Flock House to-day on his way .si nth.