MAORI CHIEF’S GIFT TO GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 247, 16 July 1935, Page 10

MAORI CHIEF’S GIFT TO GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Hopes for His Son and Heir

By Telegraph.—press Association.

Rotorua, July 15.

The symbolism which the Maori attaches to gifts was shown today when Raugi Te Aorere Te Kiri, the aged Arawa chief, presented to the Gover-nor-General, Lord Galway, a carved mere made from a puriri block which formed part of the foundations of the old flourmill erected near Te Ngae nearly a hundred years ago by the early missionaries.

On June 7, when their Excellencies paid their first visit to Rotorua, Rangi Te Aorere, on the occasion of the Arawa welcome at Ohinemutu, presented his Excellency with an historic taiaha which had been a valued possession of his family for over 70 years. The gift was accompanied by the hope that their Excellencies’ son and heir, the Hou. Simon Mouckton Arundel, who was also present, would one day also hold the position of Governor-General of New Zealand.

According to Maori tradition, when a chief makes a gift which is accompanied by an expressed hope or wish, the gift is held iu trust by the recipient until the wish is fulfilled. Tradition then demands that it should be formally returned to the donor by the recipient or his descendants, a touch of the band signifying that the gjjft has (become absolute. In this case if the chief’s wish is fulfilled and the Hon. Simon should occupy the position at present held by his father, he or his descendants will be expected to return the taiaha to Rangi Te Aorere or his descendants, when, after the ceremonial observances have been made, the gift will become the absolute property of the Mouckton Arundel family. In accordance with custom, it is also necessary for the chief to bestow as a gift another valued possession in order to impress his wish, and it was for this reason that the presentation of the puriri mere was made. Tiie old chief, witli his wife, met their Excellencies’ ear near tbeir home, about seven miles from Rotorua, while rite vice-regal party was on its way to Whakatane. His Excellency also thanked the chief for his gift, and assured him that he accepted the mere on behalf of his son in the earnest hope that in the future the wish which it marked would be fulfilled.