LAST SCENES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1934, Page 9

LAST SCENES.

WAITANGI TREATY. CELEBRATIONS END. LOYALTY OF MAORI TRIBES. FINAI. HAKAS AND CHEERS. (By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) WAITANGI, this day. To the grassy uplands where the British Residency looks out over the Bay of Islands the scene of the concluding celebrations moved at Waitangi yesterday afternoon. There was an immense crowd among ttie leafy trees. In this 'appropriate setting the various tribes eat, and each in its turn presented dances, chants and incantations, giving in every case a remarkable performance. The hakas and war dances on this occasion were not so fiercely interpreted as they had been on the marae, the intention being to convey a different and almost reverential meaning.

Under an elm had been erected a platform for the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe and party. In the immediate front was an oak tree, old in New Zealand history, also totaras and manukas, the arboreal intermingling of English and native being a significant indication of the transition taking place in the cases of the races represented that day.

Behind all was the bay with H.M.s. Dunedin and Diomede lying at anchor and launches catting through the water. In front of the residency stands the very tall flagstaff on the spot where the treaty was actually signed, and the first act of the Governor-General yesterday afternoon was to break the Union Jack at the mast head, the function taking place in the presence of a naval guard of 150 men, who had first given the Royal Salute. The National Anthem was then sung, cheers were given, and the Maoris danced the haka "Kamate, Kamate."

The programme provided by the Maoris followed, various tribes dancing in front of the old oak tree. As each tribe appeared its chief addressed the Governor-General, testifying to the loyalty of the tribe, even though their ancestors, as in the case of the Taranaki and Arawa tribes, had not signed the treaty. Some of the speeches were quaintly expressive. Presentations to Lord Bledisloe. Several presentations were made to the Governor-General, including cloaks, taiahas and an oil painting of the signing of the treaty in 1840, the artist being a young Maori named Haddon. Mr. Taite Te Tomo, M.P., one of the speakers, asked the Governor-General to recommend the Finance Minister to give the Native Minister as much money as he required in order that the Maoris might have plenty. A chief of the Taranaki tribe said it was a great honour to be present on the historic courtyard. He prayed that the King be asked to permit Lord Bledisloe to remain for another term in New Zealand. " Mita Taupopoki, an aged chief of the Arawas, said the visitors had seen in hakas and song evidence of the steadfastness of the Arawas in their loyalty to the British. Hone Te Heu Heu and his tribe from Taupo next came before the oak. " "My ancestor," he said, "did not sign the treaty because he would never agree that a woman should guide his destiny." His grandfather had given 60,000 acres of land to the Government, and it was now known as the Tongariro National Park. He had also made gifts of land for the settlement of soldiers. "Let the treaty which was signed 94 years ago on this spot be renewed again and accepted in its entirety," he added. Manhood of Maori Race. . The Waikatos were the next on the scene with Pei Jones in the lead. "You have revived memory of the treaty of Waitangi, and it has brought back the manhood of the Maori race," he said. "It is my earnest wish that you will have many years before you in this country."

A woman, Matcroa Ngarimu, of the Ngati Porous, spoke for her tribe. "The Maoris," she said, "had sold land of their own free will until the day came when it could not be done. It was not advisable to discontinue old customs. The Maoris could not be pakehas." • "You ought to be in Parliament," said the Governor-General when shaking hands with the chicftainess. The Governor-General spoke for three quarters of an hour and then -marched to the site of the whare runanga, where he laid the foundation stone at the threshold. Ngapuhi maidens sang a waiata as the Vice-Regal party retraced their steps, and the Governor-General inspected the guard of honour, comprising 60 Maori returned soldiers. Their Excellencies moved past the guard of marines while the assembly of Maori and pakeha alike sang "God Save the King." The colourful scene closed in a fitting manner. The hillside leading to the bridge spanning the Waitangi River was a mass of moving humanity, among which poi dancers kept their formation, singing ancient songs as they walked from the spot to spot where history had been created. Across the marae marched warriors, deep-chested and of fine physique.