MEMORIAL GATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21895, 13 December 1945, Page 4

MEMORIAL GATES

MANUTUKE'S TRIBUTE CASUALTIES OF WAR CEREMONY ON SUNDAY Erected to the memory of the Manutuke men who paid the supreme sacrifice in the war of 1939-45, the memorial gates at the Toko Toru Topu Church at Manutuke are to be officially opened 0 Sunday. , . - There are four pillars making up tne main part of the memorial gates with two others flanking these so as to add to the imposing appearance. The first of these four pillars (from left to right) have written the following words: “These memorial gates were erected to the memory of the following boys from this district who gave their lives that we may live in peace. And on the second: “1939. • Private Pohotu, D.T., Faenza, 15/12/44; Private Swann, D.T., Faenza, 15/12/44; A.8./S.M. Pardoe, 1., Sumatra, 29/4/45.” The third is inscribed as follows: “1945. F/Sgt, Doreen, A.W., LoS Negros, 29/8/45; Sgt. Ria, M.K., Onsogna, 7/12/43: Private Sullivan, T., Crete, 23/5/41.” On the last pillar are these words: “In a distant land they lie at rest in a soldier's grave. Greater love hath no man.” Maori Ceremony The ceremony will commence at 2 p.m. and will be conducted as a purely Maori function. The visitors, Maori and European, and those in _ uniform, will be conducted to the meeting-house and whilst approaching, the local women, dressed suitably in garments of green donating mourning, will give a welcome in Maori traditional manner. To the Maori people the haka is steeped in spiritual meaning and this will be an integral part of the ceremony. This haka party will go to the background, leaving behind them in front of the gates the next-of-kin of those to whom the gates were erected, for the tangi to follow. At this stage the visiting Maoris will pay their respects by a full tangi. Seating accommodation will be provided for the Europeans, who. prior to being seated, will approach the marae and place their wreaths in front of the tangi group. After the tangi the speeches of welcome will be addressed by the Manutuke elders. The Maori visitors will reply first and then the Europeans. European Representation Invitations to be present have been extended to the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, and Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., and their parties. Other Europeans, who through lack of time have not been especially invited, are asked to come and pay their respects to the Manutuke men who fell overseas. The organisers hope that this part of the ceremony will be completed by 2 p.m. so that the unveiling ceremony itself and the feast to follow will not be too long delayed. Lieutenant-Colonel A. P. Awatere, D. 5.0., M.C., will unveil the memorial gates. It is fortunate and a cause of pride among the Manutuke people that he will be able to be present, despite the heavy call on his time in performing the many duties he is called upon throughout Maoridom. The Tairawhiti Kiwi Club has been asked to be in attendance to provide appropriate songs, which will be sung to action by them. It is hoped also that one of the bands from Gisborne will be able to be present to play the hymns for the occasion, particularly the Maori Battalion front line hymn, “Au e Ihu Tirohia.” The tune and words for this hymn were especially selected during the last war for the Maori Pioneer Battalion by its padre, the late Captain Wai Nopu, Wairoa. The organisers also hope that the band after the ceremony will play those popular pieces of the Maori such as “Maori Battalion” and “Kaere.”