MEMORIAL TO MAORIS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 75, 30 March 1932, Page 3

MEMORIAL TO MAORIS

GATHERING AT TE TEKO

Over 1000 Maoris and 300 pakchas attended the unveiling at Te Teko on Sunday of the monument erected by Manukorihi Xgahcu and Te Teko Maoris to tho .memory of Ngaheu Paora, Tv Whakamakaka, and Ikapaki Niao (states a Whakatane correspondent). Unusual interest tras shown in the event, and Maoris travelled from all parts of the Bay of Plenty, East Coast, and Botorua. The ceremony -was conducted by the Eev. Eopere, of Rotorua, in conjunction with Eev. Waaka, of Whakatane, at the pa, and a choir of Native men and girls from Eotorua added to the impressiveness of the occasion. The sermon was delivered by Mr. Waaka, who hoped that as the monument -was made of totara wood and as this wood had been handed down by their ancestors as> a lasting wood, so should the monument remain for ever. The genealogy of the three deceased was then traversed, it being • •tated that Ngaheu was descended from tho , Maoris of the famous canoes Matatua, Tainui Arawa, and Takitana. I The unveiling of the monument, which consists of a life-size figure of Ngaheu, with smaller figures representing the others on either side, on finelycarved totara, was carried out by eight Natives, representative of the various tribes. They . were Messrs. Henare Kingi, of Otapiuka (Eotuiti), Pokiha Hemana, of Maketu; Tv Eakiraku, of Tuhoe (Waimana and Euatoki); Wetini I Taku, of Ngai Tai (East Coast); Kupara, of Ngati Eanginui (Tauranga); Moihi, of Ngai Terangi (Tauranga); Puataata, of Tuwhareatea (Taupo); Eruera of Ngatiawa (Whakatane and Te Toko). . ' j After the ceremony dances were given by the Native girls. A huge feast then followed. Some idea of the number who sat down, to the feast can be gathered from the fact that close on a dozen rows of tablecloths, each approximately 75 yards long, were laid on the ground. They were covered with meats, potatoes, bread, and other eatables. The cooking was all clone in j Native style, and caused much interest Ito tho onlookers.