MEMORY HONOURED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 326, 13 September 1932, Page 6

MEMORY HONOURED

IMPRESSIVE TRIBUTE TO LATE ARAWA CHIEF. CEREMONY AT MATATA. A bronze plate set within an elaborately carved raised wood frame, the work of the Maori Arts and Crafts School at Rotorua, was unveiled by Mr W. Bird, late Inspector of Schools, at the Matata School last week before the children of the school and a large audience of both pakeha and Maori. He was assisted by Father Hoogvelt, who blessed the memorial with a short prayer. The memorial, which has been hung on the south wall of the school, bears the following inscription in Maori, which, interpreted, raads: — "In loving memory of Raureti P. Mokonuiarangi, a high ehief of the Arawa Canoe and a faithful friend of -this school. He died on the 5th day of September, 1930. His life has ended, but his works live and inspire." In the course of an eloquent tribute, Mr. Bird stated that Raureti, during his lifetime, devoted much of his infiuence as a leader and orator to popularising education amongst his people through the schools. He was an intense advocate of the fact, which he thoroughly believed in, that only through the gates of pakeha knowledge and institutions would come enlightenment and a fuller realisation of what life really meant. And he focussed his energies in that direction. The standard which this school holds was due to his untiring efforts, and the memorial unveiled in his honour that day materialised their thanks and appreciation for one who laboured for the boys and girls so that they might be worthy citizens of his beloved Aotearoa. Remarkable Personality. "I lcnew Raureti Mokonuiarangi," Mr. Bird continued, "for over 3-0 years. He was a remarkable personality, being courtly, kind and humble to all those he eame in contact with. He was a great authority on Maori traditions and mythology and genealogy. He was edueated. in 1874 in Matata and from there he went to a private school in Tauranga. From there he passed on to St. Stephen's College in Auckland and later became editor of a Maori newspaper named Korimako. He was Native Assessor to several Judges of the Native Land Court, rendering valuable service. He was chairman of th'e Arawa Maori Council for several years, and at the time of his death was a member of the Arawa District Trust Board and chairman of the Matata Sehool Committee. "To men like him we pay our humble homage, and in the memorial we have the honour to place in this school may the spirit of Raureti Mokonuiarangi radiate to every scholar and help him or her along the path of knowledge for the benefit of mankind."