GREETINGS—FAREWELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 830, 26 November 1929, Page 16

GREETINGS—FAREWELL

GOVERNOR-GENERAL AT ROTORUA

! STRIKING DEMONSTRATION (Special to THE SUN) ROTORUA, Monday. Arawa Park was the scene cf a striking farewell ceremony •'# the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alfice Fergusson at Rotorua today. A picturesque touch was imparted to the function by the Maoris, who in native dress demonstratively greeted and bade farwell to the Vice-Regal visitors. A guard of honour numbering over 200 Boy Scouts and Girl Guides met the Governor-General's party at the entrance to the park. Inside, the visitors were greeted by a party of 60 Maoris with an enthusiastic powhiri and puha of welcome, and a parade of returned soldiers. Associated with the Vice-Regal party were Viscount and Viscountess Craigavon, and the Hons. H. Atmore and W. B. Taverner, and Bishop F. A. Bennett. Rotorua’s deep regret at their Excellencies’ impending departure was expressed by the Mayor, Mr. J. Jackson, in addressing the big assemblage. He declared that the Dominion had never been so fortunate in its Governors as it had been in the last five years. MAORIS PAY TRIBUTE Prominent Arawa chiefs, Nita Taupopoki. Te Naera and Te Houkotukii, joined in paying tributes to their Excellencies, to whom they presented a beautifully carved kumete, a piece cf greenstone, and a large wooden pot, of the type formerly used by the Maoris. One of the most impressive features of the ceremony was the melodious incantation of the Maoris, led by Mita. Greeted with tumultuous applause, the Governor-General said that he and Lady Alice Fergusson had known the greatest happiness during the five years they had spent in the Dominion. Ho expressed deep gratitude to the Maoris for their gift, which he assured them he would cherish. He appealed to the native people to cherish and cultivate their songs, poetry and traditions. and instil into their children pride of race. A Maori haka closed the ceremony. During the day the Vice-Regal party inspected the Rotorua High School, where the Governor-General addressed the pupils. Visits were also made to the King Gebrge V. Hospital, the Maori Arts Society and Whakarewarewa. His Excellency was entertained by the Rotorua Rotary Club at luncheon and after attending a Maori church service at Ohinemutu he and Lady Alice Fergusson were present at a Maori concert.