MAORI STATESMAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1938, Page 6

MAORI STATESMAN

OPENING OF MEMORIALS AT WAIROA LATE SIR JAMES CARROLL (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WAIROA, June 19. Memorable scenes were witnessed in Wairoa on Saturday, when Maoris numbering many hundreds, and Europeans also, gathered to do honour to the memory of one whose name will ever be remembered as a man who played a tremendous part in bringing about a better relationship between Maoris and pakehas at a time when that relationship was very much strained —the great Maori statesman and orator, Sir James Carroll. The occasion was the opening of the beautiful Takitimu carved meet-ing-house, which stands on the Waiherere marae, and the Taihoa Hall, situated near the famous cabbage tree on the banks of the Wairoa River der which the beloved Timi Kara, born of a Maori mother and an Irish father, first saw the light of day, both buildings having been erected as memorials to the great Maori leader. Both ceremonies were performed by the Ac-ting-Ministeg of Native Affairs, the Hon F. Langstone, and each will leave a lasting impression on all those who witnessed it. The ceremonies were the culmination of nearly a week of celebrations in which Maoris from all parts of the North Island had been taking part. After several days of rain, which had turned the marae on which the visitors were camped, into a sea of mud, the morning broke beautifully fine.