PRESENTED TO THE "KING"

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 66, 18 March 1919, Page 6

PRESENTED TO THE "KING"

SUPREME MAORI COUNCIL HOUSE. GITT TO TE RAT A. A 'FIXE MAORI CEREMONY. UXIQVE rx HISTORY. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star."} XOARUAWAHIA, this day.

Ngaruawahia is the scene of a unique Maori ceremony to-day, for a new building, modelled according to the Parliamentary plan, was opened in the presence of a very large crowd of Maoris and pakeha sightseers at noon to-day. The building, which is destined to be the supreme Maori Council House, is the gift of many loyal subjects to their king, Te Rata, who is the fourth of lws line. Towards the end of his days, Tawhio Te Whero Whero, the grandfather to Te Rata Te Whero Whero, who is king now, made a great speech, and in it he said:—"lf the Maoris want a House of Parliament, Xgaruawahia its the place to build it, for this is the historicaj home of tlie Maoris in New Zealand. This was the Garden of Eden to the Maoris in the olden days, and here in Kgaruawahia, where the Waipa River meets the Waikato, reigned the first Maori king, Potatau Te Whero Whero." He lived and (lied here, and after him came Tawhio, then Mahuta. The present king is the fourth king. Within sight of this meeting place of the waters lie most of the things the Maori holds dear. The ancient burial ground is at Taupiri, just five miles down the river, on the mountain, and right on the neck-of land where the river mingle stands the monument of marble, erected by the Seddon Government to the memory of the first three great Maori kings. Here in Ngaruawahia. so history tells, floated the first king's flag over his meeting house, and now, within sight of all these historic places, stande the Maori Parliament House, a building that has been erected by the loyal subjects of Te Rata, and presented to him as a free gift, and in memory of his three regal ancestors. In this house in the future will be held the full Maori Parliaments. The chiefs of many triibes will meet here at regular period", and will discuss the land and taxation questions that interest them. It is a supreme Maori Council House, and many Maori tribes, after discussing questions themselves, will send their chiefs to the council. This council will speak right into the ears of the Maori members of the House of Representative*, and so the decisions of thi* supreme council will be recommendations to the 'House in Wellington. The house cost £.'t,ooo to build, and is a noble, beautiful building, a real credit to the Maori race. It certainly is very highly appreciated as an ornament to this historic town. The princess, Puea Herangi, and chieftain, Tame Kawe, are the centres of the building committee. Messrs Warren and Blechynden, architects, of Hamilton, planned the beautiful place. The house is lofty, well lighted, and well ventilated, and is built entirely on the parliamentary plan. It has its "opposition chambers." secretarial rooms, and all the conventional accommodation for official dignitaries. The visitor is immediately impressed by the council hall, with its dignified, carved symbols, its throne for the king, and all the imposing decorations that are in absolute harmony with the spirit of the occasion. The princesses of the tribes have supplied beautiful mats and koro-wais— capes of office—which have all been made specially by the. loyal women of the tribes, and presented for the ceremony. The furniture is richly upholstered after the most luxurious style, the ornaments are beautiful, and dainty, and in fact the whole of the great chamber gives the impression of rich yet stately grandeur, and all the interior fittings are in perfect harmony with this one re : gning idea. The ceremony of presenting this house, given to the king by his followers, was very stately, very impressive, and was carried out strictly in accordance with Maori custom. It was held strictly "in committee," and no pakeha was permitted inside the chamber, nor was any person whatsoever allowed within any part of the building for three days before the day arrived. After the ceremony of presentation came the dedication, and then by courtsy of the chiefs, Europeans were permitted to go inside.

THE INTERIOR. The high ceiling o f the chamber is covered with Maori paintings expressive of phases of Maori history. Behind the throne a stately figure cut from a single block of wood is raised almost as high as the roof, 30ft from the floor. The walls are made of rushes, with which the Maori houses of olden clays were made, and these walls are sectioned by long panels engraved with other symbols which are not understood at all by the pakeha, but to the Maori are full ot priceless riches from the past, and convey to him all phases of his beliefs, ot the incidents of his long history. Priceless treasures of Maori art strew the floor; mats that are said to be worth hundreds of pounds made by the Maori women, and some of them inches thick are to he seen. The whole of the interior impresses the visitor with the fact that the Maoris are a sentimental people. Over the throne is fliinjr a magnificent rug, which also veils the pedestal of tliu statue behind. On the statue i* hung the Patuparaoa and the Patu pounaimT. THE CEREMONY. Very impressive and spectacular was the procession from the encampment across the Wuip.l to the council house. Headed by the Moerangi Maori Brass Band, tin' procession of upwards of 1000 educated Maoris from all parts ot the Uiiuid opened the eyes of the spectator to the power of the race. Before the ! uilding a dance was given by a !.".i).vi 01 poi maidens under Princess Pi' , a. and liakas also were danced. I 'I l:e tamping ground jjives an em-! pii.ilii' denial of any insanitary conditu.n-. Connected with telephone, -.jiiippe' with electric lighting and every mu.lein convenience, they <_'ive the brilliant orators from taranaki and Hawke'f Bay all the comforts they can expert, and vast quantities of food are ready for the feast which is to follow. An hour before the procession came aero** tin , river Din liakas and p,,i dances liepui." Seven thousand Mauri i were gathered together to watch them, JtinL dozens took part in the hakas, making such dancing as has not been ; ,c, n for decades. The Princess Puoa, ut the head nf licr poi maidens, marehrj to priv; the procession, which included the Hon. Dr. Puiii.ire. Rev. ITammund (iiea.l of the .\i"et!nidiHt Maori Mi-wion throughout New Zealand I. nnd chieftains and ninny iiiHucntial Maori people. \t t lie building they wore greeted by the dancers i

Chieftain Tutanekai, of Rotorua, was the first to address the assembly. He was followed by Tv Patea, of Hawera, and then Maoris in the white robes of the Church, who were in the forefront of the throng, sang in Maori "O God Our Help." This was followed by more hymns and prayers, during which time the Rev. Kirk wood, the Maori Wesley an missioner, conducted the proceedings, while the Princess Puea, with three other prinoesses, held the doors. It was arranged during the morning to hand the keys of the house to the southern Maoris as an honour, and they in their turn to hand them over to the members of the church, who really open the building. All new houses are "tapu," and this ceremony outside was "Tomo c te Kawa," or the removing of the newness. After this, as many of the throng aa could crowd into the council chamber were admitted as the dedication ceremony began. Chieftain Tv Whakaririka, of Otorohanga, addressed the gathering. The purport of his remarks was that everyone, from north, south, east and west, had combined to make the building. After some more speaking, it was decided to make the rest of the speeches over at the encampment, where all the Maoris would hear them.