GIANT WAR CANOE

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 12

GIANT WAR CANOE

MAORI GIFT TO NATION GENEROUS NORTHERN TRIBES' GESTURE [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 10. The giant war canoe, “ Nga-toki-matawhaorua,” which has presented a magnificent spectacle at Centennial celebrations in the Bay of Islands, is to remain at Waitangi and be companion to the whare-runanga (or carved council house) erected by the Maori people to commemorate the generous gift of the Waitangi Lstate to the nation by Lord and Lady Blcdialoe. This was the unanimous decision of the northern tribes assembled ill conference at Waitangi, and was in the nature of a gesture of loyalty to the British Crown and Empire, with continued gratitude for the Bledisloes gut and in appreciation of the interest shown in the Maori people by Lord and Lady Galway. . Tli tribes decided at Waitangi that the canoe and paddles and the costumes for its crew be handed over for safe custody to the Waitangi National Trust Board,' to hold in perpetuity, subject only to the title of ownership remaining in the northern tribes. However, the cjrnoe is to be available for the use of the tribes on important ceremonial occasions. When not in use it will be stored in a special building of Maori design, to be erected close to the whare-runanga. Carefully preserved, it should remain there for hundreds of years as a perfect example of Polynesian culture and Maori naval art. The canoe was built by the northern tribes from northern forests, and .wholly with northern money.