King Will Hear of Te Puea’s Work

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 342, 1 May 1928, Page 1

King Will Hear of Te Puea’s Work

PROMISE TO MAORIS GOVERNOR-GENERAL AT NGARUAWAHIA The noble work that Princess Te Puea Herangi has accomplished among the Waikato Maoris is to reach the ears of his Majesty the King. acknowledging a characteristic Maori welcome yesterday at Xgaruawahia, the Governor-General. Sir Charles Fergusson, said: “I promise you that I shall write s. letter to the King, and will inform him of your loyal greeting, and the splendid work that Te Puea. your far-seeing leader, has accomplished. His Majesty has great affection for his Maori subjects. and is deeply interested in them. Sir Charles and the Lady Alice were treading historic ground when they were welcomed with traditional ceremony to the model pa of Te Puea Herangi. Known as “the foot-stool'’ of King Tawhiao, it is sacred to the Waikato Maoris. MAORI KINGS BROTHERS

Tumete Mahuta and Tonga Mahuta, brothers of King: Te Rata, were present. and with the chief Te Ua Haumeme, of Taranaki. Hongi Hongi. of Xgati-Apokura. and other notabilities, were presented to their Excellencies. Mrs. Haviland and Lord Waleran. A.D.C., completed the Vice-Regal party. The Rev. George Kirkwood, native Methodist minister at’ Xga - ruawahia, acted as interpreter. The GovernorGeneral and Lady Alice were entertained with a programme of Maori songs, dances and liakas by the troupe which Princess Te Puea has organised for the purpose of raising funds for the social work she controls. The succouring of the sick, homes for the orphans, and the general care of the poor and needy of her people are embraced in this work. After inspecting the pa the ViceRegal visitors presented the chieftainess with their photographs, and Sir Charles promised that he would return next year and open the meetinghouse in conjunction with which Te Puea is planning to erect a hostel-hos-pital. Fifty years ago Sir James Fergusson came to a notable assembly of Maoris at Xgaruawahiu with a message of peace and goodwill. The then Governor’s parting injunction v as. “From this time forward let us forget the past. Let us live together in peace.” It has taken more than half a century though for the Waikato Maoris, embittered by the war and the confiscation of their lands, to forget. The fact that Sir Charles Fergusson. son of the Governor of the ’7o’s, was welcomed with open arms in 1928, and his remarks concerning the future of the race, which, he emphasised, lay with the helpful co-operation of the pakeha. were frequently applauded, is highly significant. Yesterday’s gatherings at least indicated that the wounds of the past were being forgotten.

“Te Puea understands that if a country is to be great its people must not think only of the past but must look to the future,” said the Governor-General in a speech which was much in keeping with Maori sentiment. "We want to see young Maoris in the learned professions and in the high places in this country. It is essential, therefore, that your people should benefit by modern ideas and education if they are to be fitted for these places.’* "PROUD TO COME!” "It is because Te Puea understands these things and has put them into practice that we are so proud and so pleased to come here. We know what great work she is doing, and we want to do all in our power to help and encourage her.” (Applause.) Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson were entertained at luncheon by the Mayor, Mr. H. J. Sampson, and the borough councillors. They were also welcomed, on their first official visit, to the ancient capital of the Maori kings, at a civic reception. Jean Isdale presented her Excellency with a bouquet at this function. Before leaving Ngaruawahia Sir Charles Fergusson attended lodge with members of the Masonic craft.