THE MAORI OF OLD

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11954, 26 May 1933, Page 3

THE MAORI OF OLD

MEMORIAL TO TORI AND HIS HISTORIC CANOE.

TO BE ERECTED AT PATEA.

PATEA, May 23

New Zealand has many memorials, but strangely enough not one to the intrepid ' Maori navigators nvlio came in their frail canoes over vast stretches of ocean. Fatea. the home of ono of the most famous of these men, Turi, is appropriately cnougli to he tho first place in New Zeaiand to possess a tribute to their memory.

Tradition says that Turi caine about 1350 from Rangitca, and landed at Aotoa, whore he left the famous canoo of that name. H e walked down the coast' until lie came to “the 'river running towards the setting sun’’ described by Kupe long before, and he and his party settled near the mouth of the river. In the rich fertile land they planted the first kumaras grown in New Zealand, and also the first karaka trees, ono magnificent specimen, supposed to have come from Turi’s grove, dying only a few years ago.

The district is rich in evidence of tlie ‘large Maori population settled there in prc-pakriia days, and the descendants of the famous ‘ canoe :focl that it -.would bo fitting to liave a tjWfgibic, reminder of their famoujpfdmcestovs. A start has already been made on what promises Jeff he one of the most unusual and handsome memorials in the country. Tlie memorial is to he in the form of a huge noucroie war canoe. 55ft long and sft. wide, set on nine ornamental pillars composed of boulder®, the central pillars forming an HTch.wa'*. The canoe is to bo named after Turi’s canoe “Aotea.” It is being erected at the entrance to the municipal buildings at Patea. and each side is to ha olanted with karaka trees. The whole will form a most attractive addition to the Dominion's historic monuments.

NAME. OP HISTORIC CANOE. DISCUSSION BY CHIEFS. WANGANUI. May 23. Several interesting subjects were discussed at the meeting of Maoris at the new meeting Louse at Whenuakura. One was the question of tlie name of- the Turi memorial canoe that is about t 0 bp erected in front of tho borough council chamhers in Patca.

Seme of the Natives present claimed that the c-anoe’s proper name was Aotoa. while others were equally sure that the name was Aotearoa. It was finally decided that the proper name was Aotearoa. tlii s • contention being borne out by such noted chiefs as Pouwhakureumu, Kalina. and others.

It is interesting to note iu connection with the new meeting house that the name. “Matangi Rei,” was not only the name of Turi’s house at Patca, but- was the legendary name of a famous meeting-house in fabled kawaiki. Naming tlie nmv house “Matangl Rei” thus continues a tradition of centuries. Another subject discussed wa s the question of the erection, of a memorial to tho late Sir Maui Pomarc.