AN HISTORIC FUNCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1922, Page 5

AN HISTORIC FUNCTION.

TREATY OF WAITANGI COMMEMORATION HALL OPENED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. . An historic function, was held at Waitangi to-day in connection with formal opening of the 'hall erected to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The usual Maori ceremonial was carried out, and the Maoris had made great preparations, the expenditure being in the vicinity of £5OOO. About 1000 Maoris were present and many Europeans, including the Premier. The Hall is built of brick and plaster, with a memorial obelisk bearing the terms of the treaty in the Maori tongue. Beside it is a kairtga f ” the accommodation of Maoris, jt consists -of huge marquees and tents, electric light being installed. At the opening of the hall, the Hon. A. T, Ngata said: “We, on the East Coast, are reaping the proper fruits of the treaty. It is an example of how fair, how just and how Christian the British race can be.”

Mr. Massey said the building that was now being opened would, he hoped, stand for centuries, and be held sacred by both races. He was glad it was to be a permanent resting-place of the names of the men of the Maori race who fell in the Great War. If there was any direction in which it was necessary to put Maoris on a footing of equality with the pakeha it would be granted. All the Government asked was that they should assist in developing the country by working their own lands. A telegram from Russell states that among those present at the Waitangi function were Dr. Pomare and Sir James Carroll. A golden key, together with a mat, were presented to Mr. Massey as a memento of the occasion. The Roll of Honor contained the names of 2000 Native soldiers.

The table used was the same as that on which the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Early in the morning Mr. Massey unveiled a Roll of Honor in the Russell school, and inspected the Opua wharf,