MAORI FEAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1940, Page 7

MAORI FEAST

GATHERING AT TE ORE ORE

ASSOCIATION WITH CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.

RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF MEETINGHOUSE.

To mark the participation of the Maori race in the Centennial celebrations last week, a feast, in true Maori style was held at Te Ore Ore yesterday. There was a large number to do full justice to the splendid fare provided. there being between 200 and 300 present. A fierce fire had been built over a pit. until the stones at the bottom were red hot. The ashes were raked away and cabbage and water cress were piled on. Meat, pumpkin, and two netting baskets were then placed in the oven and were covered with cloth, wet sacks and finally earth. After two hours the oven was uncovered, showing the food to be cooked beautifully. Basking in the warm sunshine, <he womenfolk had been industriously engaged in making flax baskets, cr roros, in which the fare was served. The majority ate their repast in true Maori fashion, but some chose to use a knife and fork. Among those present were the Mayor. Mr T. Jordan and Mrs Jordan. Mr’j. Robertson, M.P. and Mrs Robertson. Mr and Mrs D. Costello. Mr and Mrs J. C. D. Mackley, Mr C. Bannister (as a representative of the early settlers), and Mr and Mrs G. T. O’Hara Smith. Addresses were given by Messrs Jordan, Robertson the Rev. Taeapa and Mr C. Bannister. The Rev H. Taeapa, who addressed the natives present in Maori, extended a hearty welcome to the pakehas and made reference to the co-operation which existed between the Maori and the pakeha. Passing on to refer to the re-establishment of the Te Ore Ore Meeting House, which was the centre of Maori life, as without it Maori life was dead and lost, he considered that if the same spirit of co-operation which was evident during the Centennial celebrations continued, the re-establish-ment of the Meeting House would be assured. He thanked the Mayor. Mr Jordan, members of the Centennial Committee, and Mr R. F. R. Beetham for providing the bullock for the feast, and Messrs C. E. Daniell, Ltd., for the donation of wood, and also for decorating the canoe for the procession. Mr Jordan said he regarded it as a privilege to be present at such a gathering. He thanked the Maoris for the part they had played in the Centennial celebrations and said the Maoris’ proverbial hospitality was well exemplified by the spread put on that afternoon. It was a fitting end. he said, to the local Centennial celebrations, to partake of a feast in good Maori fashion under such favourable conditions. Referring to' the re-establishment of the Meeting House, Mr Jordan said he thought the Government should be prepared to assist to do something towards that end.

Mr Robertson, who thanked the Maoris for what they had done in the Centennial celebrations, assured them that so far as the Government was concerned, everything that could be done would be done to see that the Meeting House at Te Ore Ore was reestablished. Just before the MeetingHouse was destroyed by fire the Native Department-- had inspected the building with a view to its remodelling.

Addressing the gathering >n Maori and translating it later into English. Mr Bannister conveyed his heartiest thanks to the Maori people for the part they had played in the local Centennial celebrations and also for the wonderful feast they had provided that afternoon, which was typical of the Maori race. He had been associated with the’Maori people since his childhood and he had never made contact with a more sympathetic people than the Maoris.