ALL RELAX.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 7

ALL RELAX.

MAORIS AT PLAY. DAY OF ENJOYMENT. NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") NGARUAWAHIA, this day. With all official business over everyone at the pa at Ngaruawahia relaxed to-day and simply enjoyed themselves according to their tastes. Yesterday the Governor-General had i>een taken to the pa in the great war canoe Te Winika to open Turongo, the new house for -the Maori king Koroki. and to invest Princess Te Puea Herangi with the order of C'.B.E. It was a strenuous time—a time of pleasure taken seriously and busily—but all that is past. To-day is the Ngaruawahia regatta, and most of the Maoris went to cheer on their friends or relations in the canoe events, and the pois and hakas. But that was in the afternoon. In the morning everyone lazed about— that is. all those who were not concerned in tlie vast work of organisation. There were a few items of pois on the marae, but for the most ]>art the accommodation marquees held many people smoking resting and talking. Each evening there has been a dance and concert combine din the big dinin<* and concert combined in the bi«- ditiin" a wonderful time. It needs 1 Maori audience to be appreciative. After tea. which took a long time last night because some 5000 people had to be fed. a church service was held on the marae. and in the quiet of the evening over the still river the of well-known hymns floated. There was part-flinging, and the Maoris are masters of harmony. Jo-morrow will be another quiet day. with church services and long hours of interminable conversation. Preparations are being made for the various tribes to leave. Indeed, some have already left by motor bus, private motor car and special and ordinary train. High tributes should be paid to all who have been responsible for the organisation of the hui. Everything went off without a hitch.