Historic Maori Mat as Radio Present.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 12, 5 October 1928, Page 7

Historic Maori Mat as Radio Present.

Z MONG the presents given to Group Commander Kingsford Smith at the Citizens’ Ball in Christchurch were a Maori mat and costume, the gift of a Maori woman 101 vears old. Interesting circumstances surround the gift of this mat. The donor wishes to be anonymous, and it can only be stated that her father was one of the leading chiefs in the Maori war in the North Island, and that she is now resident in the Ifawke’s Bay district. TRHE mat came to Christchurch through the appeal which was recently broadcast from 3YA. It seems that the old lady has a receiving set from which she gets endless enjoyment, but her technical knowledge is very limited,’ as is only to be expected. However, a good Samaritan has made a practice of regularly calling at the old lady's place and keeping her set in good working order. The aged listener's gratitude has been deep, and she recently decided that the best way to express if was to make a present to her radio friend. The radio enthusiast had performed his acts of kindness without any thought of reward, and was loath to aecept any present. He therefore suggested that the old lady should give the mat and costume to Kingsford Smith on behalf of radio listeners throughout the North Island as a token of theix appreciation of the Tasman flight and of the part that broadcasting had played. This the old lady agreed to do, but stipulated that her gift should be anonymous. Iler pakeha friend also wishes to remain anonymous. All speeches in connection with the presentation were broadeast from 3YA,