TOTARA TRIBUTE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21141, 8 July 1943, Page 4

TOTARA TRIBUTE

MAORI V.C. MEMORIAL GIFT OF GEN. FREYBERG

SHORT GISBORNE VISIT

Brief as was the visit of LieutenantGeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., to Gisborne yesterday—lasting from 10.i5 a.m. until 12.5 p.m.—the occasion left the memory of several incidents which will long be associated with recollections of the distinguished soldier.

Tlie late arrival of General Freyberg’s party by plane from Napier, which lie left at 9 a.m., was due in Part to his acceding to several requests which meant short detours from the direct route. At Napier and Wairoa, for instance, the D.H. Kapide 86 circled over the towns, both of which General Freyberg was iiien seeing for the first time from the air.

During the reception at the Majestic Theatre. General Freyberg met the parents of the late Lieutenant Tc Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, the first Maori soldier to win the Victoria Cross. In his speech in reply to the welcome extended to him on behalf of the district, he referred to the record of the Maori Battalion, and its long battle experience. “May I say how honoured I feel to meet Mr. and Mrs Ngarimu. and to congratulate them upon the great gallantry of their son.” General Freyberg remarked. “The citation which accompanied his decoration will have told you how fine was his contribution to the reputation of his battalion." Subsequently General Freyberg presented to Mr. and Mrs. Ngarimu a young lotara tree, with a request that they should plant it in their home surroundings, as a memorial from the division to the first of the Maori soldiers to win the Victoria Cross. The gesture was highly popular with the audience, which gave a most cordial reception to Mr. and Mrs. Ngarimu. The official party accompanying Lieutenant-General Freyberg comprised the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C.'.. Captains J. C. White and Fraser, aides dc camp, and Mr. A. G. Harper, of the Internal Affairs Department. The party was met on arrival from Napier and later farewelled as it, left for Rotorua by the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, accompanied by LieutenantColonel R. F. Gambrill and WingCommander R. J- Sinclair, wit Ip officers of their stall's.