MAHUPUKU'S MONUMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1087, 28 March 1911, Page 4

MAHUPUKU'S MONUMENT.

GREAT GATHERING OF MAORIS. Tho gathering of Natives at Papawai is rapidly increasing in numbers. The unveiling of the statue to the deceased chieftain Tomahau Mahupuku will taw place on Tlinrsday'next. Un that day tlio Native Minister, tho Hon- J. Carroll, will be present, and perform tho ceremony. Mr. Nelson llliugworth, who designed aud executed the monument, goes to l'apawm to-morrow to have the unveiling ceremony in readiness. The gathering will be attended , by presentativo Natives from all parts of tho North and South Islands, aud it is expected that there will bo_ upwards of 201)0 Natives present. The Nativts of tho district have been looking forward to tho event for years, and the ceremony ana attendant functions will mark a red-letter day on the Native calendar. Tauiora Mana'Love, of I'jcton, the wellknown and popular chief of Ngatiawa, will represent that tribe, with his wife, who is a daughter of tho lato Hon. \\i Toko Ng&tata, M.L.C. Mr. Love has a following numbering twenty-five, who ara proceeding to Grcytown ■ by this morning's train. Tho Ngati-rarua tribe will bo represented by Mr. Alfred Rore (Ha* pareta Rore Pukekohatu), of "Horopo« kilii," Spring Creek, who is well known in sporting circles. Ho will arrive in Wellington this evening. The Ngapuhi will bo represented by Hare Hongi (Sir. H. M. Stoivoll), and Te Heuheii Tukino, of Tolca. anu'wili bo the leader of N jati-tu-whare-toa. A large number of Natives from Arawa and other tribes will also bo present. Wirenui Kauika, from Waitotara, who arrived in Wellington last oveniilg, will also attend tho gathering. The monument, which stands eighteen, feet high, is of classic design, and o£ white niarble. It has four bronze panels; each of which illustrates incidents in tho chieftain's life. One depicts "Tho Coming of the Pakeha." The fijure of a stalwart Maori V;ith his wahino and piccaninny stand looking wistfully out towards the east. Another is a panel of Tomahau himself. ''Tomahau," explains Mr. lllingworth, '"is said 'to have tsclaime<i:-*'l stand on (lie border line of the old Maori of last century and the young Maori of this century,' and this is tho idea I havo endeavoured to represent." Another panel contains an inscription ill Maori to tho dead chieftain.