MAORI CEREMONY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 116, 19 May 1933, Page 2

MAORI CEREMONY.

NEW MEETING HOUSE. FATHERING NEAR PATEA. EXAMPLES OF NATIVE CARVING. (Br Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAWERA, this day. The ancient ceremonial of the Maori was revived for the opening yesterday of the meeting house and dining room at Whenuakura pa, near Patea. Among the 500 Maoris at the pa are Several prominent chiefs and old identities. Mr. Taite Te Toino, M.P. for Western Maori, and several members of the Taranaki Maori Trust Board, which supplied material for the buildings, were present yesterday. Following the opening ceremony a general debate ensued, a feature being a lengthy speech by Mr. Taite Te Tomo. The main subject of discussion was the confiscation of moneys, the points at issue being alleged delay in the payment and application of moneys. Both buildings were constructed by the Maoris of the pa under the direction of Piko Hikuroa. 'Both are ornamented with fine examples of the native woodcarving- art, done by Maoris to the design of Piko. Representations of Tun, tin: great Maori navigator, and his wife, Rougorongo, are splendid specimens of carving, and show vividly the art with which the modern Maori is imbued. Other carvings on the meeting house represent all the tribes of the Dominion. The meeting house is- called "Ko Matangi Rei," the name of Turi's house, and the dining hall "Hekehekeipapa," the name of RongoronTo's garden. The dining hall is 40ft by 20ft in dimensions, with kitchen and scullery fully equipped with modern appliances, including a steam cooker. The building is electrically lighted. The meeting house is most impressive because of ornamentation. It measures 30ft by 18ft. Both buildings are splendidly constructed, and the work is a tribute to the native workmen of the village. i The interest of the pakeha visitors yesterday centred chiefly in the extensive culinary arrangements, which meant that the customary hospitality of the Maori was much in evidence.