HONOUR TO KING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 239, 9 October 1934, Page 10

HONOUR TO KING.

MAORI CELEBRATIONS.

THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Tho old and the new, the past and the present, the serious and the gay. liberally interspersed with ritual and pageantry, combined to make the anniversary celebration of the crowning of the young 'Maori king, Koroki Manilla to Wherowhero, at Huntly yesterday, the most/ impressive Maori gathering held since the tangi about this time last year out of respect for the father of the present king. The gathering of any Maoris always has some element of the gay, but perhaps the more important aspect cf yesterday's gathering was the tribal discussion of matters of policy. Over the week-end the main discussion has been/whether tho Waikato tribes should accept compensation offered for confiscated lands, a topic which has been discussed time and time again over many years. Tho feeling at the discussions was that ancient tribal and other prejudices should be forgotten, and tho advantages of accepting compensation recognised. It is expected that the matter will be referred to leaders chosen to deal with it.

Another important subject was the question of admitting liquor in the King Country no-license area. The concensus of opinion appeared to be that the contract with the Government, made many years ago, should not be infringed. By yesterday over 2000 Maoris had gathered at the Waahi. pa, and celebrations began early.- The young king, who is of a. retiring nature, made his first appearance during the celebrations. Dressed in European clothes, he walked from his house at the far end of the pa to.the marae to receive the recognition of the various 'tribes. Accompanied by his retinue, he occupied a place of honour on mats on one side of the marae, the people lining the other. Appropriately enough, the elderly Taingakawa, a descendant of Wiremu Tamahana, whose part in the original king movement was large and so noble, received a prominent place of honour. The Rev. R. Tabupotiki Haddou related incidents leading to the crowning of Koroki, and appealed to the various tribes, many of which from far afield were represented, for support in keeping alive the best Maori traditions and customs, and to consolidate the people by working actively for and with Koroki.

The representatives of various tribes stated their agreement with Mr. Haddon, and Mr. Taite te Tonio, M.P. for Western Maori, summed up the feeling of tho others by beginning his speech with, "Fear God and Honour the king." Haunui Tawhiao, closely related to the king, replying, greeted all those who had come to pay homage to Koroki, emphasising the prestige of the Maori people and the mana distinguishing the word "king." Koroki's new flag was flown over the meeting house throughout the day. Later on the people feasted in the dining hall. A four-tier coronation cake, with two turkeys flanking it, was prominent among the good things provided. Throughout the day competitions and entertainments were held, conspicuous among which was the winning by a Waikato party of a silver cup given for the best haka, and a rendering of Rarotongan songs and dances by a party from Auckland.