MEMORIAL UNVEILED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22624, 29 April 1948, Page 6

MEMORIAL UNVEILED

WHAREPONGA CEREMONY On Anzac Day there took place at Whareponga an unveiling ceremony to the memory of Private M. Haenga. Hundreds of visitors made their way to this small village to pay their homage to a member of the Teaitangamate tribe who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Second World War. Luckily the weather held fine. The service held inside the church was very impressive and many of the visitors could not gain admittance. The Rev. T Pohatu gave an eloquent address, and the hymns were led by Mr P. Tamati, Tokomaru Bay. After the service everybody adjourned outside for the unveiling ceremony. Lined up outside the church yard were 50 returned servicemen with three Maori Battalion officers in attendance, Lieutenants H. Kohere, G. Ngata and F. Tibbie, and also Sergeant Walker, who was in charge of the late Private M. Haenga when he died. Lieutenant H. Kohere was in charge of the parade and Mr. T. Tamepo gave the address, both in Maori and English. I was a touching scene as Lieutenant Kohere unveiled the tombstone to reveal at the base of it the photographs of the late Lieutenant M. Ngarimu, V.C. and the late Private M. Haenga and as both these lads were from the same place many present could not stem the flow of tears.

Mr. Pipi and Mr. Tamati welcomed the visitors on behalf of the marae, and this was responded to on behalf of the visitors by Mr. J. Hurumanu and Mr. P. Awatere. The Whareponga people lavishly entertained the visitors to dinner. In the afternoon all the visitors journeyed back to Jerusalem for the ceremony there