THE PRINCE AT ROTORUA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2121, 29 April 1920, Page 2

THE PRINCE AT ROTORUA.

GREAT MAORI WELCOME: WEIRD AND PICTURESQUE. R AINFA L L MAR S C E R E MO XIA LS Rotorua, Tuesday. The morning broke wet and bleak. About nine o’clock it lifted somewhat, and a stream of people moved out to historic. Ohinemutu, where the Arawa Tribe were,gathered to extend a welcome to the Prince of Wales, who was accompanied by Admiral Halsey, Hons. Henries' and

Pomaro, and several officers of the Renown. The Prince was received according to Maori custom, a single native heralding bis arrival at the entrance of the Pa, thence (he main body of waiting warriors and maidens escorted the Royal Parly to the marae or courtyard, in front o! (lie historic meeting house. Hamalckapuu (“sob of *Ho cloud”) took his seat before the assembled throng of dusky natives, who raised a welcoming shout of “Haerc-mai!” Two Arawa chiefs, Rangi To Aorere and Kiwi Amohan. then declaimed (he speeches of welcome, which‘were interpreted by Lieut. Kepa Ehau. Ahoiil fifty warriors gave a war dance

in realistic manner. Now came a parly of a hundred girls and women dressed in white blouses with blue scarfs and red skirls, draped with Maori mats, who occupied the central space in three lines, the front row being young girls seated on a

long mat representing a canoe, and they (lie rowers, and a clear alio voice rose leading the poi song, while the wdmen kept time with poi hulls. At intervals the warriors behind joinml in the refrain. 'The colour ami movement of (lie dancers was almost obscured at I burs by the steam rising from the bubbling vent boles in the ground, and mingling witli the thick drizzling rain. There was a glimpse of the old Maori church down towards (he beach, and the Lake itself behind, made up a picture of peculiar beauty. The chief, Wheoro To Poni, came forward, and in a llorid Maori speech presented to the Prince a handsome mat and valuable hnia feather. The Prince at once had the mat placed’on his shoulders, and put the feather in ids hat. He addressed the Maoris in a few words, ex-

pressing appreciation of (he Arawas’ loyal sentiments, and thanks for (he welcome and the gifts. The Prince walked along the lines of girls and women, shaking hands. One maiden of [(repossessing appearance varied this procedure by gracefully couvtseyiug and kissing (lie Prince’s hand, an action that

evoked warm applause, and caused an extra spurt of activity among the photographers.

The Prince and party next went to I lie King George Hospital on the Pukewa Hill, and made a close inspection of the wards and workshops, the Prince saying a few words to the various patients. His next objective was Whakarewamva, where the Prince was met by boys carrying (lags [(resented by Queen Victoria in 1870, and by King George in 1001, ’and conducted by guides Bella and Miriani to the bridge over the Puarenga River! Thence the party proceeded to a nearby meeting house, where a formal welcome was extended to the Prince from I lie Tnwharetoa and Tuhourangi Tribes. Gifts were then handed to His Royal Highness, including a mat, tiki and lewha tewha, the iatler being unique and antiquated weapons of war. The Pohulu geyser caused great disappointment by refusing to play.

•The last hour or two had ,-.een the rain falling in a steady downpour that gave no promise of breaking, and it was decided to suspend the programme until to-morrow morning. In spile of the discomfort of (he rain and mud, the. streets along tlie route traversed by the Prince were lined with crowds.

WHAT SHALL BE DONE ’ REXOWX WILL PROBABLY TAKE TLR.II. TO WELLIXGTOX. Rotorua, Tuesday. The weather to-night has cleared up, and under a cold blrying wind Ihe eondi! ions under foot are rapidly improving so that any portion of the programme attempted to-mor-row should he heller favoured limn 10-day’s so far as the weather is eoneernOl. The position-of (he Royal party, however, is like .Mahomet's eoffm, rather in the air. Rending an announcement of the result of to-night's deliberations, it is understood there is no likelihood of the Prince and parly's transport, over the railways being interrupted, hut as the matter is one of such national importance it may he necessary for him to go hack to Auckland, proceed to Wellington in the Renown, and resume the programme from that point. PHIXCE KKTCRXS TO AUCKLAXD. Rotorua, Last Xight. At midnight it was announced that * arrangements were being made to earry the Royal party' baek to Auckland to-morrow, hut the Alinis(crs are' reticent as to his further movements, evidently hoping that it; will he possible that Mr Massey, on reaching Wellington to-rnurrow, will be able to arrive at a settlement with the railwayraen that would permit the .North Island programnfe to be carried out, as originally planned, though, of course, there may be a delay of a day or so. This, however, depends on the result of negotiations. It is expected there will Ik; no difficulty on the run to Auckland, which is (In* home town of the train men here, wfto naturally are anxious to get (jack. The difficulties have been increased by the fact that the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants have joined the Irteo. men on strike, but the authorities are still hopeful.