GOOD WISHES GALORE

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 15, 23 April 1952, Page 1

GOOD WISHES GALORE

Maori Soldiers Farewelled We wish to thank all our Pakeha friends of Tokaanu and Turangi, and all our Maori people, relatives and friends, who gave so generously their donations to our sons, Gunners Hitiri and Nepia, during their ffinal leave from overseas' servlce at Korea. Special thanks to Mr Alfred Grace, of Hirangi, who extended the invitation to our boys to attend the sendoff given in their's and Gunner Paul . Tahau' s honoui, which took place on April 10th at his and his tribe's (Ngati Turangi of Hirangi) marae. It was a gesture deeply appreciated by our boys and ourselves. Again we thank you all. It is interesting to note that these boys are the first to represent their tribe of Ngati Tuwharetoa, of Taupo, and the surrounding districts in the Korean confiict. "Tena koutou katoa nga papa, korua whaea, tuahine o a maua tamariki i manaki nei ia rauai i tena marae. O Ngati Tuwharetoa. — Signed: Bema and Mamaeroa Maniapoto Te Rangiita." We also wish to extend again our sincere thanks and appreciation to all Pakehas and Maoris who were at the second send-olf evening, held at Waipahihi pah on Monday night, April 14th, for our two boys and their cousins, J. Hurinui, of Te Harqto, and Franklin Reid, of Taupo. We thank all for your good wishes and donations. The dinner lacked none of the Maori delicacies, which is the highlight of all Maori festivities, so we realise very fully the extent of the labour and trouble expended on that dinner. We thank Mr Tuki Rutene and Mrs Wai Manipoto, both of Waipahihi, who extended the invitation. Every soldier, Maori and Pakeha of the past World Wars, realises and understands the full significance of what these send-offs mean to a soldier, so on behalf of our two boys we thank you all. Tena koutu katoa, nga koroua, matua kuia, whaea, i manaki nei ia koutou mokopuna e haere ana kite hapai i tou ingoa ito. "Ngati Tuwharetoa." The two Maniapoto boys, Gunners Hitiri and Nepia, had a very busy week last week, as they had to try and cope with all the invitations to sendoff evenings held for them. They accepted two in Rotorua, one by their mother's family, and one by her tribe of Tuhourangi of Whakarewarewa, sub-tribe of Te Arawa. The boys had to decline one invitation that was extended by another of their mother's tribes, of Ngati Pikiao of Mourea, Rotorua, another sub-tribe to Te Arawa, as they had to come back to the Wapahihi send-oif. After a very • strenuous and sleepless week, but nevertheless, a very happy one, the boys left their home at Te Rangi-ita with their comrade and relative, Jerry Hurinui, of Te Haroto, last night for the Waiouru Military Camp, taking with them all the blessings and good wishes of their people and Pakeha friends.