A MAORI HUI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1258, 13 June 1914, Page 3

A MAORI HUI.

AT MATAKARAPA.

A Maori hui, or celebration, with the usual festivities, commenced at the Maori settlement, Matakarapa, to-day and will continue till Monday or Tuesday. It is expected that upwards of 500 natives from all parts of the Dominion will be in attendance. A number will be prevented from coming, however, by reason of a tangi at Rangitaue. The object of the hui is to commemorate the reopening and renovation of the Maori meeting house or whare runanga, erected about 50 years ago by the chieftain brothers Ihakara and Kereopa. These rangitiras of the Ngatiraukawa tribe were well known to old settlers for their hospitality, generosity and loyalty to the Crown. It was Ihakara who gave the land whereon the police court now stands and other strips in the township. The old cemetery was also owned by this chief and has since passed to his daughter, Mrs Wiritnu Eparaima, of Motuiti. The meeting house is named Te Aputa-ki-Wairau, Mrs Eparaima bears the same name. It was erected as a place wherein the rangitiras of the tribe could discuss matters ot importance to the native race more particularly concerning the Ngatiraukawa people at a time when the Maoris foregathered on special occasions by the thousand. Matakarapa was a popular pah in those days, and the local ground oft vibrated with the dances ot the sturdy warriors. It was a spot wellknown to the famous warrior chief Te Rauparaha and his lieutenant Rangihaeta, Now it presents a desolate appearance occupied by about 30 natives. The fine fiat which ran in from the river and was extensively cultivated in those days is now almost covered with drifting sand, and the numerous canoes, heavily freighted and plied by sturdy natives, which daily came and went to Matakarapa, have long since passed away. The old meeting house, again renovated, will serve to remind the young generation of the sturdy doings of their ancestors along this coast in the days long past. The work of renovation has been carried out by Mr Hokowhitu McGregor and three carved figures have been set up to represent the three brothers, Ihakara, Kereopa and Te Ruanui. The usual speeches will be made by prominent natives representing various tribes and hapus. Tomorrow religious services will be held in the church building.