RAROTONGAN CHIEFS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1934, Page 9

RAROTONGAN CHIEFS.

VISIT TO TOKOMARU BAY.

WARRIORS IN "WAR PAINT,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

GISBORNE, this day.

Over 300 Maoris in full war paint participated in hakas and dances which formed part of the welcome extended to the visiting Rarotongan chiefs at Tokomaru Bay yesterday. Natives from all parts of the East Coast are attending the hui. The visitors were welcomed by one of the leading chiefs. Makea Tinerau, leader of the Rarotongan party, in responding, caused much merriment by the statement that the people of the East Coast came to New Zealand in a Rarotongan canoe which they had failed to return. "If they had done so," added Makea, "we would have been here." Makea Tinerau was then given the key of the new meeting house, and a short ceremony followed, designed to dispel the influence of the builders from the building. A further and more elaborate ceremony, that of lifting the tapu, will take place later, when a big gathering of Maoris and pakehas is

expected. After the brief ceremonies the remainder of the afternoon was devoted to feasting, for which ample provision had. been made. The evening was devoted to a musical entertainment, in which both the Rarotongans and the local tribes participated.