MAORI GOODWILL

Evening Star, Issue 21621, 17 January 1934, Page 3

MAORI GOODWILL

PRESENTATION TO WAITANGI TRUST BOARD PICTURESQUE CEREMONIES ARRANGED [Pke Uuited Press Association.] BLENHEIM, January IC. To the accompaniment of much feasting and rejoicing in an atmosphere re- - doleut of the days of old, a large Maori gathering is to take place at Picton tomorrow and on Thursday, when the South Island Natives will make the presentation of a fine carved chair and block of greenstone to the Waitangi Trust Board. Amongst the distinguished guests will be His Excellency the Governor-General, and Lady Bledisloe. and Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, the representative of the Southern Maoris on the trust board. The chief ceremonies and presentation have been set down for Thursday morning on the foreshore, which will be made to represent the marae or meeting place of a Native village. Here the Natives will be assembled in costume and will welcome the visitors with oldtime ceremony. When the GovernorGeneral arrives he will bo preceded to the marae by Native choirs and a ceremonial will be commenced immediately with the object of lifting the tapu on the presentation chair. When this rite has ended the Natives will give vent to their joy in hakas, poi dances, 'and music. The chair will then be presented to Sir Heaton Rhodes by To Ari Pitama, and , Sir Heaton, as the _ Natives’ representative, will present it to Lord Bledisloe, chairman of the Trust Board. Following the presentation His Excellency will be led to the Native ovens, which will be opened, and be will take the first portions of the food. The chair, which is intended for use by the chairman of the Trust Board at board meetings, is a fine example of Native carving, and was made from heart of totara. It stands six feet high, and is richly ornamented and carved. The work was done by Mr Thomas Hebbcrley, of Wellington, who is considered one of the best Maori carvers iu the dominion.