MAORIS ON TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 194, 18 August 1933, Page 5

MAORIS ON TOUR.

RATANA PARTY.

LIMOUSINE AND LORRIES.

RETURNING TO WANGANUI.

An unusual procession set out from the Maori Hostel at the foot of Parnell Rise this morning—the Batana party, now heading back towards Wanganui alter a somewhat eventful journey in North Auckland. There were over fifty natives in the party, which included a senior and a junior football team, the members of a brass band, and a number of Maori women. A limousine and three motor lorries carried the visitors.

With Wiremu Eatana at the head, the party set out from the Ratana pa, near Wanganui, a few weeks ago, and with music, football and fraternal gatherings with other natives, they have been enjoying themselves. The football teams played two games at Otamatea and won both, the score being 64 points to nil in one. At Kaikohe the party met with some trouble, as the outcome of the outbreak of sleeping sickness, and Eatana was asked by the Health Department's officers not to hold any huis. The Eatana party agreed not to visit any of the kaingas, but sought permission to visit the Ninety-Mile Beach. Upon it being made clear that they would be allowed to go no further, and after further negotiations, the party turned south towards Auckland, and camp was made at the roadside. Mr. E. Tirikatene, M.P., said this morning that the Maoris had not defied, the law, and that force was not necessary, as a few tactful words by Eatana would "do the trick."

Eatana, who gained renown some years ago as a healer, both amongst his own people and Europeans, was inconspicuous in the gathering this morning. He is a man of silence where Europeans are concerned, and an endeavour to photograph him was a matter, of much „•. ..< (i '• v ~

One oS the younger Maoris in the party said that the next stopping place would probably be at Matamata, and the football teams would play about six more matches on the way south before they reached home. The limousine-led the way when the party left this morning, with Maoris and luggage piled indiscriminately on the three following lorries. Band instruments are not the easiest things to carry on tour. The drums were piled, but trombones and trumpets and cornets were slung from any place where they could be tied.