TAIPOROHENUI PA

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 19 November 1932, Page 5

TAIPOROHENUI PA

NEW MEETING ROOM. ATTRACTIVE OPENING CERE- 1' i MONY. The Taiporohenui Pa was the scene last, night of a' very large gathering of Maoris and pakehas on the occasion of the formal opening of the new hall, recently ■ erected for the benefit, of the Maori- community of the district. The hall, which will. serve . a Very useful purpose, is a 'tribute to the enthusiasm and ability of Mr Scotty Panenui and bis associate committee, who spared no effort to ensure success in the building work and have by' their ' co-operative efforts raised a consider-' able portion of the..sum. required. People from all over Die district and Maoris from Waitotara to White Cliffs were present to hear the . programme arranged and te see the new building. It was estimated that fully 1500 were on the ground during the evening. An excellent concert. progrniihb.lwns ren-T. dered on a stage in the grounds. ' ~' During the morning a korero_ was l held, when Tupito Maruera, chairman of the Taranaki Maori Trust Board,, which has financed the construction, offici-allv handed the care of the building over to Die Taipbrohenui'natives. He referred 1 to the name. Kautu kite R-angi. which was one of the paddles' of Turi’s canoe. - Tire hall had. been!built hv the -hoard to encourage Maoris to keep together, so that the old native customs- would not -be lost. Tt- would encourage natives to return to the pa at intervals. Without these gatherings there was- a- danger that the young people might forget the traditions' of the race. ■" . _ The handing over was acknowledged by leading Taiporohenui natives. ' At 1 luncheon yesterday there was very large gathering of chiefs: and my- • fluential Maoris. • The Rev. R. T. Had don, head of the Methodist Maori Mission, and Sister Nicholl-s. with the Maori concert oarty, were among the visitors. The latter gave -sacred selections- ♦•during, <the -afternoon. . .. Mr Haddon, who has been in the Ear North and ■ -at the Methodist Synod, addressed the Maoris. .He said he was delighted to see the tribes of Taranaki present and referred to " their close association in the past, hoping that it would always be as-in. the days of their fathers. He referred to the* benefits arising from education, and the spiritual work I now general among the tribes. ■ In the evening the Hawera Municipal Band was welcomed , at. the gate . , in true Maori fashion, and'Then pl-atT-" 1 cd selections as it. marched to the hall, led bv 3Mr Panenui. The hand plaved a valse as the hall was- entered with other ptikelia guests; and- then the hall was declared open. _ ‘ v.; Short speeches of appreciation of the work of the Maoris were made by Mr J. B. Laurensoii (president of the Pipe Band). Mr H. O. A. Fox, Mr J. E. Campbell and Mr W. A.'Snragg,' on behalf of Die fifivage Club.! 'HVrecalled that the t-lub’s haka team had been, taught by Tarnorohenui Maoris. Items were contributed to the prorrrame hv the Municipal Baud, the Pipe Band and Die Savage - Club Orchestra. Other contributors were Miss U Nairn (fling). Stewart Nairn (Irish , us) and Mr J. Dredge and party with amusing sketches. Poi canoe and double hull a dances were p-.iven bv three separate parties from Pariroa, from Ohamrai and from Taiporohenui. The members of the parties were: Ohangai, JVlisses-Uaniil-tbn (2). Trilford. Wallace and Patchell -. Taiporohenui, Misses Julia! Whakarua. Lena Tututawa. Piwi Poi. Winnie Panenui. Edna Kmae, Moki* end Morna Guvnor, Lena Meura and Korau. - The roekerv and garden ropnd the hall has been the result of gifts hv neople of the detract—-Air Charles GooHson, Mr G. Horsburgh • Mrs W--Hawkiiis. Mrs E. Paterson. Miss Wordor. Messrs Duncan mid 1 Davies. Mrs' Petty. Mr C. A~. Wilkinson and Mrs Panenui.