MAORIS AND PRINCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2122, 1 May 1920, Page 3

MAORIS AND PRINCE.

UNIQUE DEMON STB A TI ON. STIRRING SCENES AT ROTORUA A MEMORABLE GATHERING. Rotorua, April 29. The Maori demonstration in honour of the Prince of Wales this morning was a scene which will live long in the memory of those able to witness it. One of the visitors said that its beauty alone was enough to draw a man half-across the world to see it. Even if his prophecy that i! was “the swan song of the Maori as a separate race” is not correct, it was a great day, and truly worth (ravelling far to sec. The scene tilled the occasion. Fronting the racecourse 1 wore two stands packed wilh people; gay colours, animated faces, and vivacious movement giving the -panorama a louen ot evevrcslless life. Around were packed further crowds, scrambling, craning, and climbing to gam the best view. Then came an open space; next the Maoris massed by parties waiting their turn; beyond again was another semicircle of spectators then the great canvas camp backed by an arm of the lake, with the barbaric colours of the Native dresses, the constaul sway and change of the crowds, the brilliant skies, and the ever-present reek of sulphur in the air. Everything, had tiie tinge of'something new and strange to stimulate the ini crest of the visitor.

The Prince arrived amid a roar of welcome from the Armens, on whom as the men'of the soil led the daily of offering the first greeting. Closely,escorted hy chiefs and people, lie walked across the open green with the other tribes roaring their welcomes. As he passed and joined the party on (he Royal stand the formal address was presented by Sir A ilbam Hurries. The Prince was invested with a feather mat, and made his reply, his speech, evoking a spontaneous 'chorus of critical appreciation as it was translated by Dr. Po ma re.

Then the programme opened. The Arawas began it with a war dance, haka,’ and poi. Their work was finished in eirecl, and gave a good lead for the rest. As the warrior ■ party stamped and swung to the Hit of the war song the earth began io tremble, and got bid little rest tor some lime io come. The Pay-of. Plenty mirlv followed, the feature of interest being ihe sword brandished by their leader, flainami. 'fids was the claymore presented as a sword of honour Io ilit? late major, ids grandfather, for his services onihe pakeha side in the Maori wars. While this party greeted the Prince and howled delhmee to all enemies of the Empire, I lie Ngapnlu and oilier tribes from North Auckland massed behind .them bearing tall ...pears, each carrying towards its point a bunch of dried Max.' \\ hen their turn came they were challenged as thev advanced by a grimacing,

icuhi ting warrior, who pranced Indore their ranks. A warrior (lashed mil, pursued th'.‘ challenger, overturned him, ami placed Ids loot on she recumbent form in triumph. The tribe followed with a roar, and a. stamp, and swim,if into the wildest war song yet heard, followed by a combined India a'nd pui. Next came the Paukawa, who gave a poi emblemalic of the Prince’s journey overseas. Following them came the men and women from tin; East Coast', inelnding the Ngaliporon. At their head was (he Hon. A. T, Again, in full warrior cosUune. Stripped to the waist and barefooted, greenstone mere in hand, ho led the dances —all Maori for the day, with Parliament, Law Courts, and University forgotten.

The programme proceeded so, each performance like the other in a measure, yet each with its little touch of individuality. One of the most beautiful incidents was when ihe tribes from Wairoa, Hcretaunga, and Wairarapa were before the Prince. Mrs Arawera Ilawca, carrying the Hag given to her people by Sir Lionel Halsey, when he iirst visited the Dominion ’ ns eaplam of 11.M.5. New Zealand, mounted the -.lops of the stand, and, making a dee]> and graceful obeisance, presented the Hag for the Prince’s inspection. His Koval Highness examined it with interest, and shook hands with Mrs Ilawea. She then withdrew, and at the tout of the steps lignin bowed herself to the ground. The incident, unexpected and full of that simple dignity which oiilv the high-horn Maori can give to such an occasion, electrified the onlookers.

The gi-eiit' powhiri grew to its close, the dual touch being the appearance on the ground of the Taranaki*, with the To Wbiti movement and all causes of discord put behind them. They gave one of the most spirited and graceful ha has of .the day, apd then withdrew for the giving of gifts. This was done hurriedly, as the crowd surged round the Prince. With some difficulty he was escorted to his car, and while the sonorous choruses and plaintive chants seemed still to linger on the air.