UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL OF HORONUKU TE HEUHEU

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 20 November 1953, Page 5

UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL OF HORONUKU TE HEUHEU

CEREMONY AT CHATEAU There was a large gathering at the Chateau Tongariro on Saturday afternoon last, when representatives of; both the Maori and Pakeha races were present as guests of the Tongariro National Park Board to witness the unveiling, by the Hon. E. B. Corbett, M.P., of a memorial bust of Te Heuheu Tukino Horonuku. Paramount chief of Ngati-Tu-whartoa from 1863 to 1888, Horonuku, with his associated chiefs, by deed of gift, donated to the Crown an area, comprising the peaks of the Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, and totalling 6,518 acres, the nucleus of the present Tongariro National Park. Mr D. M. Greig, Director-General of Lands, and Chairman of the Park Board, opened the proceedings, being followed by Mrs I. M. Ratana, M.P., for Western Maori, who spoke on behalf of the Maori people and said that the gift of the mountain area by Horonuku had symbolised that chiefs desire for the unity of the two races as* one people. Mr T. Arthur Grace and Mr Awhi Northcroft spoke as elders of Nga-ti-Tuwharetoa, and Mr Grace, a grandson of the Rev. Thomas Grace, pioneer missionary of South Taupo, referred toi the part played by his uncle, Mr L. M. Grace, son-in-law of Te Heuheu Horonuku, in suggesting to the chief the giving of the mountains. Following a tribute and the unveiling by the Minister, Mr Corbett, Mr Hapi Te* Heuheu, great-grand-son of .Horonuku, and the seventh chief of the Te Heuheu family, spoke, followed by Mr Pateriki Hura, a grandson of Horonuku on his mother's side. Other speakers were Mr P. Kearins, M.P., on behalf of district residents; Mr Rod Syme, representative of the Ski Council, Federated Mountain Clubs on behalf of mountaineers and skiers; Mr R. W. Marshall, General Manager, Tourist Department, on behalf of visitors to the Park generally.