ANZAC DAY.

Gisborne Times, 21 April 1928, Page 8

ANZAC DAY.

UNVEILING OF MATAKAOA MEMORIAL.

GREAT PREPARATIONS AT TE * ARAROA.

ATTFNDANCE EXPECTED TO REACH 1000.

especial to Times.) TE ARAROA, April 20. The executive of the Matakaoa County Returned Soldiers Association; has set before it-a most ambitious, ■ hut, nevertheless, laudable goal, its object -being- to stage this year a celebration of Anzac. Day - thy of the traditions associated with that national sacred day- The central purpose about which the most ornate social and ‘iruhtau?, ntiml wfl hince’is the unveiling of. the County Memorial to it, fallen '• County is small, and the villages which form the units of its. social life are small also. But, m ambl- - and loyalty, this small County and its people yield to no other community,?Wg or little. common with other rural communities, the erection of a memorial speaks of the sacrifices made, by its young manhood £ the Great War. Many Anzac Days have come and gone and the noble sacrifices made by our ?oung men are marked by no enduring viable symbol. This year, however, the very enthusiastic and practical local An zac- Executive is determined thgt this annually recurring reproach should he removed for .ever. - Hie activities of the executive have resulted in the purchase and erection in a suitable spot in the Te Araroa Domain of a suitable memorial to their fallen comrades. The ceremony of unveiling will, take place on Anzac Day, April 25th. GATHERING TO BE DISTING-- j disked. -/ - The Hon. Mr. K. S. Williams, MP- Minister for Public Works, a gentleman' • who has already given much practical proof of his interest in -Returned Soldiers, .has intimated Iris intention of accepting the executive’s invitation in attend the tunetion to perform the unveiling. The Hon. Mr* McLeod, Minister of Bands, may accompany his colleague. Other 'members of the Legislature^^ho will be there will be our own Sir A. T. Ngata and Mr Field, M.P. for OJaki. Other distinguished visitors will .include. the Judges of the Native Appellate Court now holding a session at Tikitiki, Mr Albertson/ Resident, Engineer and party, and representatives of all East Coast local bodies. With these distinguished personages attending, we hope that our. own local people will maxe a good I' uster on the day to show their r-.verence for the memory of the gallant dead and their respect for the visiting legislators. Already, the executive has been assured of a good attendance from Tokomaru Bay, Waipiro Bay, Ruatoria. Port Awanui and Tikitiki., Coast functions of .any kind have, in the past, made a successful appeal to the business and sporting men of Gisborne, and fpr this present function, a representative party is expected from that Quarter. The Returned Soldier*’ Association Ball, which will take place on the evening preceding the sacred day, will be a great attraction, and, judging from the number of tickets that have been sold already, the success of that part of the programme is as-, snred. EIG FEAST BEING PREPARED. In all large functions of this kind where people pour in from far and near qiiasi-hui fashion... the catering must- be attended to with the nicety of a religious ritual. As _ a soldier walks “on a full stomach” so adequate preparations to that end ensures a happy crowd. The luncheon will be the special c-are of the Te Araroa Maoris: and, to afoid confusion, the mana of the tribe has been delegated to a siib-committee. From past experience, .it, is calculated that at least one thousand people will attend the function. To meet this contingency, a large marquee con--raining eight tables, which will accommodate 200 diners-aft a sitting, —* has been erected on the tribal courtyard of Hinerupe. The materials ror the gigantic feast has been voluntarily donated by the farming members of the tribe. The meat and poultry will be cooked by the tribal method of “hangis.” The small tribal executive, conscious of the weight upon their shoulders of the combined mana of the hundred chiefs of Tuwhakairiora is determined, by the minimum of friction and maximum of method, to show their principals that their trust has not been misplaced. Before that day, the tribal larder will be replenished with mutton, beef, pork, poultry, turkey, fish, mussels', - puha, water-cress, mangomaroke, konra mara, ruwai, and kunrara, - for this is the tenth season of the vear.

Given fine weather, Te Araroa that day should teem with life: and the steam that will rise from the “hangis,” unlike the Rotorua steam, will tempt the eager palates of the assembled multitude. Hnere mai! Haere mai! Haere mai!