CHIEFLY VISITOR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 99, 17 December 1931, Page 6

CHIEFLY VISITOR

. ROTORUA WELCOME CHIEF MAKEA TINERAU OF .RAROTONGA HONOURED BY MAORIS PICTURESQUE CEREMONY Members of the Arawa Maori tribe met at Tamatelcapua in Ohinemutu last evening to extend a native welcome to one of the outstanding figures in the Polynesian world, Chief Makea Tinerau, of Rarotonga, who is visiting Rotorua in the company of the Minister for Native Aifairs, the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata. Others who were among the official party were : ' Mr. S. J. Smith, seeretary for the Cook Islands ; Mr. G. C. Rodda, assistant seeretary of the Treasury; Mr E. Bird, chief inspector of native schools; Mr. E. G. Loten, principal of Te Aute College; Mr. W. C. Morris, principal of St. Stephens College; and Mr. H. R. N. Balneavis, seeretary to Sir Apirana Ngata. As the party entered the hall they were greeted with a song of welcome frcm the Maori girls and men who accompanied their music with the waving of green fronds. Speeches were then made by Chief Pokiha (Arawa) and Chiefs Naera and Kapara (Ngatiwhakaue) , eaeh address being terminated with a chant 'of welcome from the company which epitomised the history and traditions of the Polynesian people. Welcomes were extended to each member of the party. Vice-Regal Interests Sir Apirana Ngata, in a brief speeeh, said that when their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe, expressed a desire to have a closer look at the lands being opened up by the Maoris his Excellency asked him to organise a tour of inspeetion. He thought that those interested in the native people should be included in that party, so he had invited the principals of Te Aute and St. Stephen's Colleges. He did this so that the teaching staff might see what was being done and he hoped that when they had seen they would inspire their pupilr with the idea of serving their people Le also thanked the Arawa people foi their kind words. Mr. Rodda also spoke a few wordf and thanked the Maoris for their welcome. Presentation to Guest Sir Apirana Ngata then presented Chief Tinerau with a beautifully carved Maori walkingstick on behalf oi the native people of Rotorua. Chief Tinerau in replying thanked the Maoris for their welcome and foi their gift. He concluded by saying that his mission in New Zealand was to- get the Native Minister to interest himself in the Cook Islands and if possible to pay them a visit. The other members of the party also replied to the welcome of the Ro torua chiefs and said a few words or the splendid schemes at present in progress to interest the Maori in th land. During the evening Maori poi and singing items were rendered and at the conclusion the National Anthem was sung in Maori.