CARDINAL MORAN AT TANATEKAPUA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9059, 20 February 1908, Page 3

CARDINAL MORAN AT TANATEKAPUA.

ESCORTED BY MAORIS IN WAR PAINT.

A GREAT RECEPTION

BY TELEGRAPH — TRESS ASSOCIATION, ROTORUA, February 19.

Cardinal Moran was accorded a magnificent reception at Tanatekapua this morning by the natives. A large number of Europeans were present, those not belonging to the Catholic Church being present by invitation, owing to the limited accommodation in the big Maori house. At twenty minutes past nine o'clock His Eminence, escorted by a body guard of some fifty Maori warriors in full war paint, was received by a large concourse of natives, who performed a dance of welcome, waving green bushes in their hands. All adjourned to the interior of the big meeting house, where addresses were presented by the Catholics of the town. Both European and Maori speeches were made by the high chief of the tribes, welcoming His Eminence, as one native said, as "The eje of the Pope." Great enthusiasm was displayed by the large number of natives present. Cardinal Moran, who in rising was greeted with loud acclamation, thanked for their kind expressions love and devotion. The Maori race, he said, was a noble and industrious race, and his earnest prayer was that it would be preserved for all time. He had, he declared, great love for the Maori people. At the conclusion of the Cardinal's remarks a dozen girls gave an exhibition of the poi dance, which pleased His Eminence greatly.

Archbishop Kedwood, Bishop Gallagher, and Bishop O'Connor also spoke, and Monseigneur O'Reilly and Dean Lightheart acted as interpreters. At 11.30 the function was brought to a close. It can be safely said that not since the visit of the Duke of York has such enthusiasm been displayed by the natives. Among those present were Count Morner, Mr Birks (engineer in charge of the Tourist Department), representatives of the various churches in town,, and representatives of various business places.