Climax To Greatest Day Since Treaty Was Signed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30050, 7 February 1963, Page 16

Climax To Greatest Day Since Treaty Was Signed

(New Zealand Press Association)

WAITANGI, February 6.

To tumultuous applause, the Queen tonight expressed “love and good luck” in perfect Maori to 15,000 Maoris and pakehas at the one hundred and twenty-third anniversary celebrations of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Her words climaxed the tiny settlement’s greatest day since the treaty was signed on February 6, 1840. The greatest applause was when the Queen consented to the naming of the Queen Elizabeth post-graduate fellowship. The Maoris also gave a tremendous ovation to her assurance that the Treaty of Waitangi was binding. She said in part: “I want to assure my Maori people that the obligations entered into at Waitangi go far deeper than any legal provision in any formal document.” Her Majesty added: “It remains the sacred duty of the Crown today ... to stand by the spirit of the Treaty of Waitangi and to ensure that the trust of the Maori people is never betrayed.”

When the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh came ashore from the Britannia this evening, hundreds of persons lined the route from the jetty, to the Treaty-House grounds for the celebrations. About 15,000 packed the grounds, in places they were 12 deep

The Queen and the Duke arrived at the grounds to a great shout of welcome and applause. Navy bandsmen sounded a fanfare. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) immediately presented the rangatira. Mr Hone Heke Rankin, to the Queen and with the rangatira in attendance they entered the Treaty House Three minutes later they left it and the Queen was immediately challenged with three carved darts. Each dart was picked up by the rangatira and handed to the Queen for token acceptance. The first ceremonial haka by 100 men keenly interested the Queen. She seemed intrigued by the wild gestulations, craning forward for a better view. After the haka more than 50 Maori women gave a spirited posture dance acclaiming both the Queen and Queen Victoria.

The Chief of Naval Staff (Rear Admiral P. Phipps) escorted the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to the saluting platform on the daia. Her Majesty’s persona] New Zealand flag was broken out on the masthead as the guard of honour gave the Royal salute

The Queen Inspected the guard of honour and as she returned to the dais for the

general salute a 21-gun salute was fired by the Royalist, anchored half a mile from shore.

It was a magnificent sight as the sun’s dying rays caught the grey and white hulls of the five naval vessels in the bay and the Queen was obviously delighted. Tumultuous applause greeted the Queen’s opening phrase in Maori when she began her seven-minute speech, and her speech was acknowledged by a combined poi and haka called “My Heart is Throbbing.” The Duke of Edinburgh turned frequently to the rangatira sitting beside him for explanations of various actions and the Queen applauded frequently. As Lord Bledisloe’s prayer, a prayer for the faithful observance of t,he treaty, was read by the Bishop of Aotearoa (the Rt. Rev. W. N. Panapa), the Royal couple stood with bowed heads.

The Royal party gave an enthusiastic reception to a marching display by the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Maoris began cheering as the band broke into “Maori Battalion," and hundreds joined in the final chorus.

In near-darkness the Queen and the offiical party stood for the naval sunset ceremony. The evening hymn was immediately followed by presentation of arms by the guard and the naval sunset call. Benediction was itiven by Bishop Panapa. All lights were suddenly put out and with split-second timing naval ships in the hay were illuminated.

The transformation obviously moved the Queen and the crowd, at first too awed to cheer, broke into thunderous applause. Simultaneously, the old wooden Treaty House was softly illuminated by concealed lamps. The big crowd began to sing “Now Is The Hour’* as the Queen and the Duke entered their cat and-returned to the Britannia.

They were accompanied by the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Fergusson), Lady Fergusson. and Mr Holyoake and Mrs Holyoake who dined with them in the Britannia.