Native Arts

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 603, 4 March 1929, Page 14

Native Arts

Trophy Given by Governor TRIP DOWN WiANGANUI With the object of encouraging the revival of the r iative arts and industry, their Exc jeliencies have given a trophy to fr #e competed for annually by the Maoris on the Wanganui River. The trophy is to go to the pa producing the best s -flection of Maori handicraft during t tie year. His Excellency ijhe Governor-Gen-eral Sir Charles F ergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson. y rho went into residence at Governn lent House yesterday, have just con eluded a most interesting trip down '/lie Wanganui River. Groups of natives waited at different vantage points along the river to welcome their Excell- ?ncies. Canon W. G. Williams acted a. * interpreter. Ceremonies of welcome were held in several of the pas. Her Excellency has a number 01 ' interesting souvenirs of the trip, inc |uding a piupiu. In speeches t* > the natives his Excellency impres ged upon his hearers the importance of fostering the traditions of their ai icestors. He said that the greatness c *f any nation depended upon three thir —pride in the beauty of its own lam juage. in its poetry and tribal history, and in national handicraft. While the Maori children strove to acq nire all modern knowledge possible., he hoped they would never allow thjemselves to lose the accomplishment of their own people.