UNIQUE CEREMONY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1922, Page 7

UNIQUE CEREMONY.

NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.. NEW ROOM OPENED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, August 23. The Native Affairs Committee room in the new Parliament buildings was opened this morning with a unique ceremony by the Native chiefs from Rotorua, who sang a series of • incantations for the purpose of clearing the room of all evil spirits, so that in future those who entered might kno-w they could approach the committee with the certainty of obtaining justice. The incantations were sung by Mita Taupopoki, Te Naera Mihopu, and Te Maaka, of the Arawa tribe. Hon. J. G. Coates, Native Minister, briefly related the history of the committee, which .in the past had been composed of many famous men and carried with it the highest traditions. Under the spell of a special incantation, which permitted women to pass into the “Holy House,” Mrs. Coates entered the chamber, and subsequently, when the public was admitted at the invitation of Mr. Young, chairman of the committee, -Sir James Carroll and Sir William Herries, former Native Ministers, delivered speeches reminiscent of the past history of the committee. Aftr Mr. Elsdon Best had explained the significance of the symbolic carvings with which the room is lavishly decorated, the room was declared open for the transaction of public business. The carvings were executed by Kiwi Amohau, of Rotorua. The ceiling was modelled by J. McDonald.