CANVAS TOWN ROTORUA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 132, 5 June 1901, Page 5

CANVAS TOWN ROTORUA.

A GREAT MAORI GATHERING

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

ROTORUA, this day,

About 2000 natives from all parts of the Island are now encamped in a huge canvas town on the racecourse. A large street, a chain wide, runs down the centre of the temporary town, from which are side streets, named after the tribes represented. Vast copper Maoris, with dozens upon dozens of boilers, and huge tanks, are busily employed preparing- food. The weather is wet but the scene is one of extraordinary activity and animation. A large meeting was proceeding this morning. The Hon. James Carroll and Messrs. Donnelly, Mair, and Xgata were present. An invitation was forwarded by the Arawas to all visitors to come to Ohinermitu, where Arawas would challenge all-comers to a haka. The invitation was declined, as the visitors consider they come to show the Duke of York what they can do, not the Arawas. The visitors express some dissatisfaction, because the Arawas did not receive them on the racecourse, this being considered a slight. The arches in Rotorua are almost complete. The Government arch, representing the Imperial Crown, i 9 very handsome, and far ahead of any of the Auckland arches.

It is the general opinion that the Waiotapu. trip, should be abandoned. The roads are heavy, and it is considered the result would be a fiasco, if not an absolute,, break-down. Maoris and others arriving report the road will be absolutely dangerous should the party, as is inevitable, be detained after dusk.