KAUTU=O-TE=RANGI

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 18 November 1932, Page 5

KAUTU=O-TE=RANGI

NEW HALL AT TAIPOROHENUL ASSEMBLY FOR, OPENING CEREMONY. Taiporohenui Pa was a busy place yesterday and to-day with the arrival of hundreds of Maoris from south as far as Marton and Waitotara and north to Mokau and White Cliffs. They arrived in cars and lorries and were welcomed with the formal and dignified courtesy that is a feature of the life of the Maori people. Several hundred visitors have already arrived and more are coming, expected to-morrow. Mr. Tupito and his Whareroa contingent were amongst the arrivals yesterday. Two spacious marquees have been ; erected on the open space in front of ■ the new hall and a huge platform is in place, in readiness ior the grand 1 concert and entertainment this evenmg. To-day the new spacious hall recently erected at the pa for community service was used for the first time, elaborate meals being arranged for the local and visiting Maoris. The hall, which will accommodate 120 guests at each sitting, looked spotless with its clean coverings of white paper and its two-tiered long tables, neatly decorated and spread with china and cutlery for the meal. The hail is prettily decorated in coloured streamers, with large bells .suspended at various points, and the whole is brilliantly lighted with powerful electric lights. A bevy* of neatly attired young wnhines waited at the tables. Outside, and. in the kitchen very complete arrangements have been made for the cooking, and ample supplies of mutton and beef, and mutton birds are in the large airy safe at the back of the hail. Three huge cauldrons are used for cooking purposes over an open fireplace and there is also an up-to-date range in the kitchen. The water supply comes from a well 40 chains behind the hall, from which it is pumped into two large tanks and brought by pipes to the kitchen, where hot and cold water are available with ample accommodation for washing up dishes in a large sink. The drainage is ample. The 'storehouse and pantry j are large and well supplied with all necessaries, and ample cupboard space is provided. Everything is carefully recorded and noted as it conies in or j goes out for use. The treasurer of | the hall, Mrs. P. Rangi, is most care-j ful in her records. At the- back, under j a tank, is a “fireless cooker,” consist- ;, ing of two large compartments which" cook Maori .fashion, “kapa Maori,” and have space for about forty large puddings or joints. The principle is the same as the most modern fireless cooker. Stacks of firewood are piled at the back and lusty young Maoris keep a continuous supply ready while the wahines prepare the kumera and tinpotato and other vegetables. This morning a great gathering of Maoris assembled, at which the chiefs harangued the members of the tribes and a combined torero was held, when „ the question of land tenure, leases and kindred subjects, in addition to tribal matters, were discussed at length. The question of a memorial to the great chief T'uri was also' discussed and it is hoped to have the memorial erected in March. It will be a canoe and will be called “Koatu Whakamalrara tanga mo Turi” and will he a reminiscence of the great. migration.

The hall is named “Kautn o te Rangi” and the name is neatly msiribed on the front of the building. Below it is a rock garden and a little flower garden round the sides, adding to the neatness of the surroundings. To-night there will be a combined entertainment —pois, hakas, songs, choruses and other music items, \\ ith selections by the Hawera Municipal and Ripe Bands and the Maori Orchestra.