JAPS IN MAORILAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1916, Page 8

JAPS IN MAORILAND.

GREETED BY ROTORUA NATIVES.

the visit of Admiral Maisumnra and a hundred officers and cadets of the Japanese training squadron to Rotorua last week will long he remembered 1 ca one of idle great occasions at the great centre of til," thermal region*. There could he no doubt also that the visitors -.verc deeply impressed and delighted by the enthusiastic and cordial welcome given them by pakcha and Maori alike. " The flords of the Admiral, in a telegram despatched to the authorities at Rotorua while on the homeward train Journey were in accord with the sentiments expressed very freely by his officers a':id eadets. He said: "[ desire to thank the chairman and the committee responsible for the great privilege I have had in seeing Rotorua, and particularly the Maori people. I have long looked forward to the occasion, and 1 have 'oeea most impressed. In returning to our native country. Japan— remote in distance, but close in friendship—we will carry with us the. pleasant recollections engendered by the day's doings," AT WIIAKAREWAREWA. ' Travelling by motor-ear from the Rotorua railway station, the party were taken by way of the beautiful' sauitorinm grounds to the model pa at Whfikarewarewa. Here (lie chiefs Mita Tnupopoki and Kiwi Amoliau were in charge of a large gathering of the Arawa people. I The women, chanting the welcome in Maori, "Welcome to the illustrious visitors from across the great ocean of KiwaPacific." gradually fell back behind the warriors as the Admiral and Ministerial party advanced through the gates. For a moment the Parriors crouched, silent., and then with dramatic suddenness broke into a stirring hnka. This concluded, Kiwi Amoliau Jciivcftd a speech of welcome, it being translated by the Rev. F. A. Bennett. He said: "Thrice welcome; very great is our joy that u'c are able to see you to-day in New land. We welcome you because you have helped us in great trouble. We have sent our young men across the ocean, and they have journeyed rarely because of your protection and watchfulness. We owe you a great debt, which cannot he paid in money. This is our day of trouble, and you have come to our assistance. In your day of trouble we will shed our bluod for you.'' "THE CHEEKY GERMAN.' The aged chief Mita faupopoki, clad in an elaborate native r ostuilie, followed. Commencing his oration in restrain ed i,ones, he soon forgot himself in thi; enthusiasm of his subject, tie said: "Vou have come orer the great ocean of the god Kiwa. We welcome you as a great people, a lighting race, and as those who have given those, cheeky Germans a good hit." (Laughter). With a great disfilay ot activity the old chief drew himself into fighting pose, and exclaimed: "[ am ijinte active enough to go to the front, as you can see for yourselves. It is not use sending the bovs; \va are the men that should go." Admiral Matsumnra, in reply, spoke in Japanese, the speech ht.ing translated into Fnglish by Mr II D. Ilea titer, and then into Maori by Mr. l'ennett. The Admiral said he was very pleased to have this opportunity of speaking to people of the .Maori race. It was a pleasure he had anticipated since his arrival in New Zealand. Japan was in alliance with the British Empire. It was a pleasure to him to see the great warrior race of the Maori people living peacefully and happy under the British (lag. j Tlu- Admiral went on to congratulate the Maori people upon the gallant deeds of their soldiers at Callipoli, and expressed the belief that they would win further fame on the fields of France. The ceremony was concluded with a graceful poi dance by young Maori girls, who. when they had finished, advanced toward the admiral, and, taking oil' their Ihix and raupo mats, laid them at his feet, together with their poi balls. Mita TTaupopoki also presented a beauti-fully-woven mat of white fibre. In return, Admiral Mutsuniura presented to Mita, for his people, sonic oeailtiful pictures of the famous Japanese Mountain Fusi. The more formal proceedings concluded, the party, after viewing the sights of Whakarewarewa, were taken by motor to Ohinemutu. where another enthusiastic welcome was given. Here they inspected the beautiful native church set picturesquely on tl'.e shore of Lake Rotorua, and an elaborately-carv-ed sleeping-house. Tilt: MILITARY* HOSPITAL. There was a very large gathering of Rotorua citizens at the King (leorge the Fifth Hospital. Here there was a parade of soldiers invalided frum (!allip#li. One unfortunate soldier in an invalid chair, greeted the Japanese visitors cheerfully. On several occasions officers of the party stopped to shake hands with him and say a few sympathetic words. After inspecting the soldiers, who were in charge of Colonel Newell, C.8., the Admiral made a thorough examination of the splendidly-appointed building. By the time the Japanese were ready to board the train on the homeward journey they had acquired quite a considerable Maori vocabulary, and there was an exchange of "Kia Ora's!" and "Kapai the Maori!' 1 as the "special" drew out of the station. On the train the officers and cadets expressed a desire to loam some English songs, and, with tholr characteristic aptness to learn, thoy made remarkable progress under the tuiciOii of Messrs Jas. Hislop and Ernest Davis, and, before long, to their great delight, they were wonderfully proficient in "He's a Jolly Good Fellow," "Tipperary" and "Auhl Lang Syne," A performance given in t'iic Ministerial car for the delectation oi the party there pyidentlv much auprcciatei