MAORI ACTION SONG

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21384, 29 January 1935, Page 8

MAORI ACTION SONG

*0 THB BDITOB or THB MBSS. Sir,—Will you allow me a space in your columns, in regard to the translation of the action song which was sung by the Maoris at the river carnival. I appreciate very much the translation of Maori words into English by my friend. There are words, put into print and translated by my friend, which are not in the action song. Here is the Maori part of the action song:— Mauri;! mai E Kanini'a Tii taiwi utu kingi, kingi liori . . . Jiol Jlaore mui ru oto Manuliiri Kotuku Rurougit talii . . . Hoi . . . Wliakakau . . . Afauliumii . . . Jloi . . . . . . Tuircst . . . llui . . . . . . Ami To Uru . . . lloi . « • Ku u Tiikitiuui Kito Waipounamu . » . . I'ii ld« . . Uri o kuitii Wikitoria . . JO . . » Hcnuro . . . Henaru . . . E awhi o ringa kito U kaipo. Ure Tarewn . . . Uro Tarowa , , « Aroha mai Ki to Iwi Maori Haoro . . . Ilaere . . . Hacro mai. This is the correct wording of the action song in Maori written by my friend. When it was read out to the people for their approval, two of the elders wished to delete one line of the action song: Wiremu Rehu . . . Hape Pohata is a grand uncle of my friend. He did not take their advice. I would like my friend to translate the above song into English; then the public will see for themselves the difference in the translation.—Yours, etc., I. W. KARAITIANA. P.S.; My contention is that the translation in your first issue is not correct. Kaiapoi, January 24, 1935.