IMPORTANT NATIVE GATHERING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 559, 16 April 1913, Page 5

IMPORTANT NATIVE GATHERING.

UNVEILING KAAHUS' MONUMENT.

MAORI KING ATTENDS

The largest native gathering within the memory of the pakeha yet assembled in the Upper Mokau Valley eventuated this week. For many days natives were gathering from all parts of the district. These, together with visiting natives from Waikato, Rotorua, Taupo and Taranaki brought the number close upon one thoucand. On Tuesday, the day of the unveiling ceremony, several hundred pakehas joined the ranks, and the large marquee 90 by 50,.which served the purpose of a dining room, was well filled at one Bitting by the pakeha friends. Mr Takere. Kingi Wetere had a band of young waiters in uniforms, who were most attentive to the wants of patrons in the dining room. The day of the ceremony being superb the food was cooked according to ancient custom. The meat and potatoes in tho itangi, while the eels were roaßtud before a large fire in long strings. Immediately after the luncheon the combined Oparure and Mokau Brass Bands, under Bandmaster Te Kawe, assembled before the residence of the late Kaahu Huatare.

King Te Rata Mahuta, accompanied by Anaru Eketone an J the king's people proceeded from the entrance in the direction of the monument. Following in close procession wore tho Arawa, Ngatituwharefcoa Taranaki and Ngatirakawa tribes. The local Maniapoto natives with their pakeha friends bringing up the rear. On arrival at the monument, which is an imposing obelisk standing some fifteen feet high, the procession was greeted by a party of native women, who waved garlands and chanted salutations. A short service was conducted by Rev. Honie Hari, Wesleyan Maori minister, the late chief being of that faith. Mita Taupopoki, the great Rotorua chief, Who recently toured England with the Maori troupe, next addressed the assembly. Tho band struck up the National Anthem as King Te Rata stepped forward, and drew the ribbons unveiling the monument, which had been draped by two beautiful native mats. The inscription on the stone was then read and interpreted by Mr Anaru Eicetono, which was as follows: "Kaahu Huatare, born 1850, died October 10th, 1911. He fought in tho Taranaki and Waikato Wars. He was a man of peace, yet he was brave. He saved the late Wilson Hirathouse and Mr Newsham, who were taken prisoners and locked up in a whare by Te Manakura, as tho result of the prophet Te Whiti's teaching in 1882."

Mr G. Elliott, through Mr Anaru Eketone, next appealed to tho young natives assembled to hark hack to the teaching and principles of their ancient chiefs. Before the misisonary came the native race had a code of morality, which was generally known, one of their unwritten laws handed down by their foraafthcra being interpreted, ran as follows: "If I do anything which will bring disgrace or shame upon my mother or my father, it will make me cry." They had listened to the brave and gallant deeds which had been done by the dead chieftain, to whose memory they had that day assembled to pay tribute. The young Maori was strong on tho football field. He could fight a gallant battle there, but he failed in the daily battle against race annihilation Tho Maori race was doomed, if the young people do not gird their loins. The gospel of their salvation was work. He called upon them in the name of their departed chieftain to bestir themselves. Hark back to tho battlecry of Rewi Maniapoto from the parapet of Orakau half a century ago, "We will not surrender, but will fight for ever and ever and ever." On the following day a memorable meeting was held. The great Waikato chiefs Te Wharua Herewini and Ahuriri Rehina urged upon the people that they see the necessity of working hand in hand in wrestliny concerning their welfare in order to keep with the times. He hoped that after visiting all the principal centres and understanding what the people need, a final meeting could be called when the whole management will be ruled by a majority of the people. Tho people assembled readily responded, and the chiefs expressed great satisfaction. Amongst the chiefs who spoke was Mita Taupopoki (Arawa), who gave very interesting speeches, pointing out"the vast difference between European and Maori methods of doing business and the possibility of being able to pull with the pakehas in the future if only unity is established. The motion was put by Te Wharua, who expressed his sorrow that Tangakawa was not present, but he had no hesitation in saying he would approve. King Te Rata Mabuta has expressed that the general management and tenor of the whole meeting has been a source of education to him, and ho was delighted to bo able to attend. Mr Anaru Eketone, in course of an interview, states this was the best conducted meeting between the tribes in every respect he haß ever known. Great praise is due to Takare Kingi Wetere, who was responsible for tho whole management for tho ability displayed and judgment shown m every detail of the carrying through without a hitch such a successful and important gathering. _____