ROTORUA WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 300, 19 December 1934, Page 8

ROTORUA WELCOME.

LARGE-SCALE PREPARATIONS.

WAR DANCES AND SONG

(From Oiif Own Correspondent.)

ROTORUA, Wednesday.

As preparations develop it seems likely that last week's estimate of the number of Maoris who will take part in the welcome to the Duke of Gloucester will be greatly exceeded. To-day it is believed that fully 4000 Maoris will attend, and as can be imagined the preparations for their accommodation and feeding are entailing a lot of work and organisation.

Whakarewarewa, Ohinemutu and Tarewa pas are hives of industry, and Sir Apirana Ngata, Mr. H. R. H. Balneavis and Mr. H. Tai Mitchell are directing operations from a central office. A gang of about 70 men is employed erecting marquees, tents, etc., building trestles and collecting stones and firewood for the ranges. Lorries are busily engaged carting in stores and the visitors will supplied with beef, mutton, pork, kumaras, potatoes and other good food cooked in the steamholes and ovens. Some idea of the food preparations may be gathered from the fact that 21 tons of fuel has been supplied for the cooks. The big dining tent at Ohinemutu has been arranged to seat 400, and similar accommodation will" be provided at Whaka. Battle Array. The Maoris are not only to be fed and housed; they are also to be supplied ! with war-like equipment for the big demonstration on Arawa Park. The leaders will be supplied with tewhatewhas (battle axes), of which 80 have been especially made as well as 40 koi kois, 25 paddles and 150 taiahas. The wahines on their side are busy with mats, pius pi us and pais. An interesting feature of the reception will be the mass singing of a Maori song of welcome, specially written for the occasion, and sung to an old refrain of the Maori people. Christmas Carnival. Side by side with the Maori preparations the Borough Council advancement committee is busily completing its arrangements for the Christmas carnival. The first function will be the provincial ball on Friday evening. Although His Royal Highness has not signified his intention to attend, the hope that he will be prosent for a brief period has not been abandoned. This main fixture will be - followed by a citizens' ball on the Saturday evening. These two functions will usher in the carnival proper and if fine weather prevails Rotorua should this year break all records for Christmas revelry.