KAWA MEETING HOUSE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 133, 22 February 1909, Page 5

KAWA MEETING HOUSE.

Opening Ceremony. The ceremony of opening the runanga boose erected by the NagtiKaputahi tribe at Kawa took place on Thursday last. The attendance at the opening wa» large, being estimated at ■boot between 600 and TOO, the majority of whom were Maoris from all i parts The meeting bouse was called tbe Kiapotobi. fp honour of their ancestors, from which tbe above hapo spring. Tbe building is 60ft long, 86ft wide, and about 20ft high. It is well built, and elaborately painted with designs which have been handed down to tbe present progenitor* of the nwe. In tbe centre of the building is tbe word "Tainui/* above which is to be- seen a canoe propelled by Maoris. Tbe #bovc word represents tbe name of tbe canoe in which the Ngati-Kapu-tahi tribe sailed over the seas to these shores long ago. At the end of the where facing tbe door was to be seen an oil painting rive feet high by four feet wide in a splendid gilded frame the likeness of their beloved chief, , Rewi Maniapoto, which looked out to the observer in all its majesty. Tbe Bon. Mahuto, Te Heubeu Tukino, chief of the Taupo tribe, Mrs Weke Kemp, daughter of Major Kemp, oTWanganui. excused |btJmse|vfc*/IH4 ?$ ht apologies owing u> Vairing to accompany the body of the late Hone Hekc to its last resting place.