MAORI VISITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 9

MAORI VISITORS.

ARRIVING FOR "TOMO." INDISPOSITION OF BATA. NATIVE MINISTER'S ABSENCE.

For the past few days Maori people have been arriving in tlio city and its. precincts to wait for the ceremony of Honunui house and the Maori Court at the museum to take place to-morrow morning. The main groups °f natives are scheduled to reach Auckland to-morrow* Arrangements have been made for the accommodation of a number of the visitors at Ellerslie racecourse and at Waipipi, the Maori hostelry. According to native custom and hospitality, many of the chiefs will bring retinues of their people to mark tribal prestige and to signify their appreciation of the importance of the occasion, and in view of this careful planning has been necessary to prevent any hitch in the quartering of prominent native visitors. Much regret is being expressed that Rata, who occupies royal pre-eminence amongst the Maoris, is indisposed and will be unable to leave the pa at W a alii to participate in the festivities. A few weeks ago he was in Auckland, and then expressed his intention to be present. He is now suffering a bout of crippling rheumatism. Princess Te Puea and her party will arrive to-morrow evening.