PRESENTATION OF MAORI’S V.C.

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 4, 30 September 1943, Page 6

PRESENTATION OF MAORI’S V.C.

10,000 To Witness Ceremony Arrangements have been completed by officers of the Maori war effort organization for the transport to Huatoria ot thousands of Maori servicemen, civilians and schoolchildren representing every tribe in New Zealand for the presentation to his parents on Wednesday, Octo; her (5. of the Victoria Cross awarded posthumously to the late SecondLieutenant Moiinnnui-a-Klwa N’gariinu. The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, will carry out the ceremony. All those from tribes north of Ruatoria will be billeted at Tikitiki, just north of Ruatorin. and those from the south at Tokomaru Bay. All service personnel will bo billeted at Mangahanea, while visitors from relative, tribes will stay at Lieutenant Ngariniu's home pa. Hirumaraina. On the morning before the investiture, the Governor-General will open a. new meeting-house. Buakapanga, at Toluga Bay. In the afternoon lie will perform a similar ceremony at Tokomarii Bay, opening the meeting-house Whannuu-a-rua, built in memory of the late W. 11. Potae, a chief in the district, who died recently. It is expected that about 10.000 people will witness the ceremony at Whakarua Park, a feature of which will be the presence of the sergeant of Lieutenant Ngarimu’s platoon, Sergeant W. Teneti, D.C.M, After an official welcome to the Governor-General at 10 a.m., there will be a march past of servicemen and schoolchildren. The decoration will then be "resented to Air. and Airs. Ngarimu. Further celebrations will include mass war dances by 10OU warriors on a huge stage built for the occasion, and action dances by 1000 women. A special grandstand to accommodate 5000 has 'been constructed.