QUAINT FLAG

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 724, 25 July 1929, Page 1

QUAINT FLAG

English Clergyman’s Gift to N.Z. Church “TAKEN FROM KING POTATAU” A curious flag, said to have been taken from Potatau, first king of the Maoris, is the latest acquisition to the Auckland Museum. The bunting was taken to England in the early days and has been sent back by the High Commissioner, through the Prime Minister, to Archbishop Averill, who lias been asked to accept it as a gift to the Church in the Dominion. His Grace has placed it on loan in the museum. The histor3- of the flag, if it is a flag, is obscure. In a letter to the Prime 1 Minister, tile High Commissioner states he was approached by the Rev. J. S. Clementson, rector of Staplehurst, Kent, about the flag, which had came into his possession and he wished to know whether it had any historical interest. It was left to him by the Rev. A- Clementson, who went to New Zealand in 1865 and was a curate at Ashburton. Upon his return he brought the flag with him and at his death left it to the inquirer. The elder clergyman had attached this note: “Native New Zealand flag taken from Potatau, King of Hori Horis.” Captain T. E. Donne, C.M.G., examined the relic and stated that it might be the original flag as claimed, or a replica. In any case, it would be of historical interest in New Zealand. Mr. Clementson thereupon decided it should be presented to the Church of England in New Zealand and asked that it be sent to the archbishop. MIGHT BE FUNERAL FLAG In its way the flag, which measures some 20ft by Bft, is a striking piece of cloth. It is of calico heavily bordered in black and bears a large black cross. Near the cross are the sombre letters P.R. H (or M) h.a. At the flying end is the device of a star surmounted by the crescent moon, both in blue. Also are inlaid two geometrical designs called “whetu.” Mr. Tuhapi and Mr. Whare Mahihi, who are engaged on Maori reconstruction work at the Museum, declare the flag to be a token of mourning. They say the cloth was probably used to drape Potatau’s coffin or was flown at the burial. Their interpretation of the lettering is that the “P” denotes Potatau, and the rest initials of the family name. The cross, they qjiy, is the Christian symbol and the star and crescent the Maori evening star. Mr. George Graham, the Auckland authority on native subjects, does not concur altogether. He believes the cloth a flag and not a pall. He is of opinion that the lettering is incomplete and that the “P” does not necessarily signify Potatau. The whetu, he considers, are symbolic of the North and South Islands. Here, then, is a riddle of no little interest. What the flag means, what the events leading to its acquisition by the Rev. A. Clementson are questions which the museum authorities would be glad to have answered.