UNIQUE CEREMONY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2472, 26 August 1922, Page 4

UNIQUE CEREMONY.

NATIVE INCANTATIONS. * WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. The Native Affairs Committee room in the new Parliament building was onioned this morning with a unique ceremony hv native chiefs from Rotorua, who sang a series of incantations for tho pmpo.-e of clearing the room of all evil spirits so that m futuro those who entered might know they could approach the committee with the certainty of obtaining justice. The incantations were sung by Mita Taupo)>oki. le Naera, Mihopii. and Te Maaku, of the Aratva tribe. Tlie Hon. J. G Coates, Native Minister briefly related tho history of the commit tee! which in the past has been composed of {nnny- famous men, and carried with it the highest traditions. Under the spell of a special incantation which permitted women to pass into the ’‘Holy House,” Mrs Coates entered the Chamber, and subsequently when the public were admitted at the invitation of MiYoung, chairman of the committee, Sir James Carroll and Sir- W. 11. Herries former'Native Ministers, delivered speeches reminiscent of tho past history of the committee. After Mr Elsdon Best had explained the significance of the symbolical carvings with which the room is lavishly decorated, the room was declared open for the transaction of public business. The carvings were executed' by Kiwi Amohau, of Rotorua, and the ceiling was modelled by Mr J. McDonald.