THE PAPAWAI MEETING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10201, 31 March 1911, Page 5

THE PAPAWAI MEETING.

statue to tamahatj poku.

THE UNVEILING CEREMONY

IBy Associatiofl,) '■'■'' CARTERTON. Last NigHt% At Papawai to-day, t-lva. unveiling 5 ' ceremony^of a handsqme memorial. ? .to., the late Tamahau _ Mahu-' puku, was celebrated in 'lie presence of a huge concourse, including, 2000 J natives and as many whites. The Hon. James Carroll, Acting-Prime-Minister, who arrived with a party by special, train, performed the act of unveiling, and a service was conducted by', the Rev. A. O. Williams,. Superintendent of Maori Missions, Wanganuiy assiste'd? by the Revs. F. H. Spencer (British and Foreign Bible Society), Erueea'Te Ngara (S7 years of age), and Tei-lPa'e-rata. ' ~-■ ,' : •" '■ ',' ['■■ ■'*■ A welcome'-'haka -was'"' danced "by nearly a hundred warrimvi; attended by their women-folk. This was: easily the best performance of its kind seen in the Wairarapa for years,, and was greatly applauded...': -:'■'■.■ ■ Gathered round the foot of the handsome monument, which, was erected by Mr Nelson Illingwp'rtlr,: sculptor, of Wellington, .-.wore the immediate relatives of the departed chieftain, among .whom-were Ar&ta Mahu puku, Ngata Makirika (granddaughter); and lic'r baby son, /now chief of'the Ng&kahiiri'i-.' gungu), Ha'muera •; Tamahau,' Kingi' Niniwa. ITV Raripi ; Hon a ua v '\ Kingi; Edward Ki.'jjri and family. James Kingi. -'Rang! 'K.ereho'ma", and, Kaukura Mar! ini.

A Maori, choir .sane; hymns in. Maori :v.':d EnglUli,vand afttn- the-unveiljng by. tlw.Hbi).:.rJ.. Ca n-oll,;,.speeches nvero delivered from the Aotoarpa 'a/largo meeting house'facing 'by H. Tv. Whatahbro. Mangakahia;'; Mr Ws.C, Buchanan, M.P., Mr H,; S. Wardellj Mr iT.' T. /Mi;Hornsby, and the: Hon, »J:, Carroll.-' One and allVpaid'< a liigh ti-ibutei to the departed chieftain: The speech of the Hon. ,T. Carroll was in Maori, and was a'fine oration.

At the close of tho speeches the Ministerial party and invited guests were handsomely entertained at lunchcon in the huge meeting, ho\ise, , and later in the afternoon speeches were made .by leading chieftains'fend chieftainesses. ■

■ Jritlie evening dancing''arid singing was carried /on,with great vigor till tho fate hours. : .'..... -.

The Hon. J*. Carroll signified his intention of remaining in the district tpemon-ow. when lie will talk over the •M«ori wants with the chiefs. His decision has been hailed Avith delight, j.To-n\oi-iow and the'day following, a Maori council meeting will, bo :held, and on Monday the gathering breaks up with sports. / •• .V *-■•■•■...' .•■ /■■■•/