HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 132, 7 June 1939, Page 16

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

MAORI CELEBRATIONS

TRADITION OF HOSPITALITY , j(From "f^e Post's" Representative.) "Tetau-ovte-po," meeting house of the Maori people of the Hutt Valley, on Monday carried a step further the [ hospitable tradition established by Chief Te ; Puni and the original Pitoone Pa who welcomed the first settlers, of the New Zealand Company, when a most successful Maori hui was held in support of the Maori contribution1 to the Hvrtt Valley Centennial Memorial fund: 5. j j Nearly la hundred years ago Edward Gibbon T^akefield and the ship's company of ithe Tory were welcomed on the Pit6--'one foreshore by Chief Te Puni. On. Monday Maoris and pakehas gathered; in large numbers at the invitation 'of Chief Te Puni's granddaughteb, Mrs. Hapi Love, and the j member s of the meeting-house, with the triiple object of celebrating the King's 'Birthday, enjoying Maori hospitality, and contributing to the Provincial Memorial in honour of that first landing UNIQUE LUNCHEON. The hui was opened in the morning bjr the Mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. W. Andrews, who acted as host in welcoming the chairman of the zone comn-jittee and the Mayor of Fetone, Mr. '&. London, Judge Shepherd of the Mative Land Court, and other visitors, j The speeches were followed by a dia nee of welcome. Then came one of rt'Ae high lights of the day—a big i luncheon party,. in which the steaming Viands were carried in fresh from the rhangi" or Maori oven. A whole pig, la sheep, kumeras, and other vegetablfes were partaken of, and this novel rep;kt, served Native fashion in woven basi-.ets, was heartily enjoyed by all. k FINE HANDCRAFTS. \n the large meeting hall stalls were attractively set among stands of ferns and native foliage, and backed by wallrianels of Maori scroll design in red, ti/lack, and white. Other stalls were placed out of doors in the shelter of bfig red and white striped marquees, -•'floremost among the stalls was that displaying Native arts and crafts, tai r/iko and muka work woven and dyed Jljy hand, kaka work incorporating soft jbigeon feathers, kia-kia baskets made i hrom the grassy plant of the same name, piu-piu mats for ceremonial I idress. and countless baskets, belts, and jtieadbands, each one of individual design and fashioned from the raw material entirely by hand. One of the •baskets, on exhibition, finely woven in a check design of black and white, was over sixty years old yet the dark vegetable dye was as.fresh and striking as the day it was made. Another interesting feature was a display of coloured prints and sketches depicting the original Pito-one Pa, Chiefs Te Puni and Whar-epouri (cousin of Te Puni and uncle of Mrs. Hapi Love), ■ the arrival of the Tory, and the first settlement, "Britannia," at Petone. Other well-stocked stalls included in their wares sweets, fancy work, cakes, flowers, plants, and produce. Sideshows and games of skill were also held out of doors. MANY ATTRACTIONS. Another atractive feature and one inseparable from all Maori functions was the singing and dancing. Melodious solos, trios, quartets, and choruses were heard to great advantage to the accompaniment of a fine orchestra, which, also provided a spirited musical background for action and poi dances

in costume. Miss M. Edwin was. the l'earer of the dances and Messrs. Waretani, T. Love, and T. Hartley the vocal soloists.

Morning and afternoon tea were served in the small palm 7 decked hall. A clever exhibition of tap dancing was given by Mr. S. Winera, accompanied by Mrs. Mat Love and a group of girls smartly costumed in the white blouses and trim scarlet skirts of the Maori Girls' Club.

The stallholders and assistants were as follows:—Maori crafts, Mrs. Hapi Love, Misses L. Mowbray and M. Black; fancywork, Mrs. T. Rereti and Miss L. Rereti; sweets, Mrs. E. Lyle; cakes,. Mrs. G. Phillips, Misses R. Phililips and M. Parker; flowers, Mrs. Tipi Love and Miss P. Tuketapu; produce, Mrs. ■ Teata Edwin,1 Misses Lucy Edwin and Joyce Brace; games, Messrs Dick and Manihera; afternoon tea, Mrs. M. Love, Mrs. M. Everson, Misses R. and J. Edwin, Ransfield, M. Cook, M. Jockey, and.M. Love. WITH DANCING TO FOLLOW. By 8 o'clock at night every trace of the stalls and sideshows had vanished, and the hall was set for a most enjoyable social and dance. Guests from as far away as Wanganui, Otaki, and Waikanae attended, members of a number of well-known tribes and families being present. The excellent programme of dance music was interspersed with Maori songs, poi dances, and hakas, and a very happy evening concluded with a speech of thanks by the chairman of the Maori Centennial Committee, Mr. Hapi Love. He paid tribute to the wholehearted support received and stressed the fact that not only had a financial object been considerably furthered but also the hui had drawn closer and unified the friendly relations between Maori and pakeha.