JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1901, Page 5

JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.

DEPARTURE OF MINISTERS

The Hon. R. J. Seddon, Hon. J. McGowan, Hon. J. G. Ward, and Hon. Mr Mills left town by special train on Saturday night, and embarked on board s.s. Tutanekai at Onehunga in order to proceed to Wellington.

Among the many fine old tattooed warriors who appeared in front of the grandstand on Saturday was Pehi Turoa, the high chief of the Upper Wanganui Maoris. Turoa- was a very prominent Hauhau leader in his time, and fought against Major Kemp's "friendlies" of the Lower Wanganui in the big fight at Moutoa in 1864. When the pa was stormed Turoa made his escape by swimming out of reach of his pursuers. He Hves now at Waimarino. Turoa's present to the Duke was a fine kiwi feather mat.

Another splendid-looking warrior of the old-school who came forward with a gift was Ruatara. Tall and stately, his clean-sha.ved face splendidly tattooed all over, Ruatara looked a typical old "toa" or fighting man.

A good deal of amusement was caused on Saturday by the antics of Mita Kakau, a Bay of islands veteran, who pranced about In front of the Ngapuhi with his waist-mat considerably abbreviated in the rear, to show what is technically known as the "rape," a spiral thigh tattooing. The model Arawa canoe presented by the tribe which bears that historic name was a very faithful model of a war canoe. It was carved by three noted Arawa wood-carvers-— Tene Wadtere, Anaha Te Rahui, and Neke Kapua. These three are amongst the best Maori carvers in New Zealand. ..-'".

It was noticeable on Saturday how many of the natives wore the Royal blue in their costumes, probably as a compliment to the visitors. The Ngatiporou men had blue sashes over white singlets, and wore black waistcloths, in respect of the dead Queen. The old custom of slicking white feathers in the hair was another feature of the costumes on Saturday. This method of decoration was very largely used, and witht very pretty effect. Some of the natives wore two pure white feathers pointing- Outwards, after the style seen in old pictures of the head-dress of Polynesian races.

As regards the costumes worn, a special feature of the hui was that the majority of the natives reverted for the day to the real old Maori garments of feathers and flax. Ihaia Hutana, one of the leaders of the Ngatikahungunu dance, was splendidly arrayed. With a large brown kiwifeather mat—a costly garmentthrown round his shoulders, white feathers ornamenting his grey hair, and a polished taiaha in hand, old Ihaiaj tail and straight, in spite of his grey beard, looked a veritable leader of his people. The fine physique of the Ngatikahungunu, by the way; elicited admiration on all sides.

Mrs Bach, of the Grand Hotel-, was highly complimented by the Duchess for the manner in which the Royal party had been looked after in the

hotel. Before leaving Her Royal Highness gave Mrs Bach v brooch and case, suitably inscribed. Maggie Popakuraf the handsome half-ca_tc, who acted a_ a guide to Royalty at Whakarewarewa, was also presented with a brooch.

The Royal visit to Rotorua furnished much "copy" for the small army of pressmen who accompanied the Royal party. Some twenty correspondents— English, Australian and New Zealand —visited Rotorua to "do" the Royal visit, and they did it fairly extensively. A special staff of telegraph operator* were kept busy night and day trans* mitting press messages. Fifteen thousand words were put through the office by pressmen on the night the Duke arrived, and the following night the total reached 20,000, while on Friday; night the figures were again very formidable.

The camera artists for the illustrated papers were also very numerous, and the more enterprising of them obtained some splendid shots. As for the amateur snap-shot fiend, his name wa_ simply legion. Almost every other European you met seemed to be carrying a hand-camera. Many of the Royal staff, ladies-in-waiting and naval officers had them, and "snapped" away industriously. Even the clergy caught the fever, and might be seen with the deadly kodak in the thick of the excitement. The Salvation Army's kincmatograph, which is taking a record of the Royal tour for the N.Z. Government, had some flue subjects, notably thedances and presentations on the racecourse, and the geyser playing at Whakarewarewa. A five minutes' picture of the last named was taken, 300 feet of film being employed.

The Native Minister (Hon. J. Carroll) should be well satisfied with the results of his untiring efforts. Mr Carroll was warmlj' thanked by His Royal Highness for the splendid reception arranged for at Rotorua, and there is ho doubt that the success of the affair was due in no small measure to the direction and influence of the Native Minister. A man who worked very hard for the success of the reception was Captain Gilbert Mair, who worked night and day directing the organisation of the big Maori encampment. Mr Warbrick, the well-known guide, was specially brought down from Taupo six weeks ago to assist, and has been, busy at work on the reception ever since. Among other willing workers were Messrs Hone Hoke, M.H.R., Apirana Ngata, 8.A., of the Ngatiporou tribe, Donnelly, of Hawke's Bay, L. Davis (Ru Reweti), of Wanganui, Charles Parata, of the Native. Office at Wellington, Gough (native interpreter at Wanganui), and Arthur Warbrick. The work was done under the direction of Captain Turner (Chairoian*. of the Town Council) and Mr Csrlett (of the Government staff), who design-, ed the splendid arch by the Grand Hotel. At the camp Dr. Pomare, a Maori MID., was kept continuously busy attending to the sanitation and Zooking after the health of the camp. Large crowds greeted the Royal train at the stopping-places en route for Auckland on Saturday, arid several bonfires were lighted after dark. The Royal party lunched at Arahiwi. The gifts presented by the Maoris to their Royal visitors included 40 flax mats, 20 feather mats (mostly, kiwi), six greenstone meres, three patus, a large number of feather an<s flax kits, about 70 poi -poi balls, and a great number of piu-pius.;.,-., ; . A set of kinematographic films of the Royal visit to Rotorua will be sent !to His" Majesty the King. The Rarotongan chiefs, Pa Ariki of: Takitumu,and King John of Mangaia, were among the chiefs who were pre--sented with medals by the Duke da Saturday. 4s; The "Rangitane Union Jack," better known as "Tanenuiarangi,". was on Saturday hoisted in commemoration of the demonstration given by! the native race in honour, of the Duke and Duchess. This flag wa» presented to Peeti te Awe Awe. chiet of the Rangitane in 1869, by Governor Grey in memory of the declaration of peace, in effecting which this chief was most conspicuous. Hi« n .nl..w Kie te R_i is-the flag bearer*