HOME FOR MAORI KING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22355, 19 March 1938, Page 18

HOME FOR MAORI KING

Movement Returns To Ngaruayvahia

PRICELESS CARVING IN

NEW HOUSE

(PRESS ASSOCIATION telegram.)

HAMILTON, March 18,

With the opening of King Koroki’s new home to-day, Maori royalty will again take up residence in Ngaruawahia. thus fulfilling a prophecy made 70 years ago.

When General Cameron drove the Maori “King” movement from Ngaruawahia, Tawhiao, then king, stated that the day would come when Ngaruawahia would again become the point for a Maori “King” movement. To-day isf the first time that the seat of royalty has been established at Ngaruawahia since those days, and the added enthusiasm shown by, the Maoris for the King movement is exemplified in the new house. With the exception of bricking and electric light equipment, the whole work m the construction of the home has been undertaken by Maori labour without payment of any . kind, while all materials have been given by various tribes throughout New Zealand. Much of the credit for the completion of the home goes to Princess Te Puea, who organised many touring concert parties to secure the purchase of required materials. The new house is designed to incorporate the best features of Maori and pakeha architecture, and thougn some rooms are typically • Maori, the house is furnished in European style. The carvings are the best examples of Maori art in the world and many are priceless and irreplaceable. The exterior of the house is 72 feet long by 52 feet wide, and a feature, from the artistic viewpoint, is the pentagonal tower which rises from the far corner. Its five sides are 10 feet high, and the domed roof adds another eight feet. Windows adorn each side, and in each a Maori face is picked out m the lead-lighting, while every square inch of the rest is elaborately carved to give an imposing effect. Each tribe has a different characteristic in carving, and these have been blended to reflect the unity of the tribes. A feature of the main hall is a great flax mat covering the entire floor. The mat, which took nearly a year to weave, was done by girls at the Ngaruawahia Pa.

JOURNEY IN WAR CANOE

LORD GALWAY ESCORTED UP RIVER

OPENING OF KING KOROKPS HOUSE

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

HAMILTON, March 18,

A unique ceremony which preceded (he opening of King Koroki’s house at Ngaruawahia was a ceremonial welcome extended to the GovernorGenetal (Lord Galway) when he was brought down the Waikato river in a huge war canoe specially constructed for the New Zealand centennial, and manned bv 38 warriors in native dress.

At the junction of the Waipa and Waikato rivers the party was met by a flotilla of five other canoes, which escorted, the Governor-General to a special landing stage at the pa, where a stirring welcome was accorded him. Lord Galway later opened the house with a golden key inset with a piece of ancient greenstone. This was accompanied by speeches in Maori and English made by native leaders and Ministers of the Crown.

Before this Lord Galway presented Princess Te Puea with the order of C.B.E. conferred on her by the King in the last birthday honours for ner work among the Maoris. Thousands of Maoris, many in traditional costume, made a colourful setting for an impressive ceremony, the most important in the Waikato for many years.

HOPES FOR BETTER HOUSING

LORD GALWAY’S ADVICE TO THE MAORIS

(press association telegram.)

HAMILTON, March 18.

In hiS address at the opening of the new Maori house at Ngaruawahia today, the Governor-General (Lord Galway) remarked that he hoped the fine new building would mark a new era in better housing among the Maoris, and with this in view he hoped they would avail themselves fully of the facilities offered them under the Government’s Maori housing policy. The outlook of the Maori at present was very bright, but the future was in their own hands, and it depended on the interest they took in the development of their lands, and the example of old men to the younger generation. He urged them to abstain from overindulgence in intoxicating liquor and gambling, which would bring about the deterioration of a fine race.

The Acting-Minister for Native Affairs (the Hon. F. Langstone) endorsed Lord Galway’s remarks and sketched the progress made with better Maori housing during the Government’s term of office. Under the Maori housing scheme it was hoped to better native conditions throughout the Dominion.