Hot welcome at marae

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34100, 12 March 1976, Page 3

Hot welcome at marae

(N.Z. Press Association) ROTORUA, March 11. A welcome to the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) by the people of the Kearoa marae, Horohoro, near Rotorua, last night was rather warmer than intended — the roof of the marae diningroom caught fire.

But according to a marae spokesman, Mr K. Eru, <i>e incident had its good side. The diningroom was evacuated temporarily, giving an opportunity for hosts and guests to mingle more freely, and “to cement the good will already present.” The incident occurred at

the marae of the Ngati Tuara and Ngati Kea, who are hosts to the Aboriginals visiting Rotorua for the South Pacific Festival of Arts. Mr and Mrs Fraser, with their official party, visited the marae and presented to the hosts greenstone and sandstone axes that had been in Australia for at least 100 years.

The visitors were welcomed by the Maoris and by one of the Aboriginal leaders.

While the guests and hosts were in the diningroom policemen on duty outside saw smoke coming from under its roof.

Inspector L. R. Woodgate, of Rotorua, said the dining-room was evacuated quickly and trestles were set up outside to enable the meal to continue.. The Rotorua Fire Brigade was called and it quickly put out the fire, which caused some damage to roof sarking and iron.

Mr Eru said appetites were not affected.