CEREMONIAL WELCOMES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 29, 3 February 1934, Page 14

CEREMONIAL WELCOMES

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to the "Evening Post.'.')

WAITANGI, This Day. Half a century's aloofness and tribal isolation broke down at Waitangi' at noon today, when tho Waikato "King" Koroki and his followers were received on the Ngapuhi marae, and were accorded 0110 of the most stirring welcomes ever witnessed in the north.

The scene was a' memorable one for pakeha and ilaori spectators alike. For all the world like painted savages, picked haka teams from the Ngapuhi and jNTgati Porous, 500 in number, and in ceremonial costume—naked to the waist* and shorts covered by piu pius— became -warriors for the moment, and by gesture, blood-curdling shouts, and facial representations, laid the foundation for a belated tribal reunion. They were led by a Xativo who wore Jfativo costume for the occasion, and Hieyi moved 3500 spectators to demonstrations of admiration and enthusiasm. ' There was spectacle and colour for the pakeha eye, and for the assembled Natives there was the unfolding of a new era in extra-tribal relationships. The Ngapuhi runners, as

usual, were victorious- in the baton challenge, and the excitement became intensified when domestic and general hakas and war dances followed. The red and black dresses of the singing girls added a brilliant dash of colour to the surroundings, and as on previous, occasions, the action songs aud songs of welcome harmonised with the welcome ceremonies. Equally inspiring was the welcome to the Earotongan arikis and their party, and representatives of other visiting tribes. Halfway through the reception rain again fell, but the proceedings were carried through in spite of conditions.