MONSTER HUI

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 80, 4 March 1929, Page 6

MONSTER HUI

MEMORIAL TO SIR JAMES CARROLL. GREAT GATHERING OF MAORIS. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, March 2. For over a year now the Maoris of Poverty Bay, Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast districts have been busy raising funds for a hui or assemblage of native tribes in readiness for the unveiling of the memorial to the late Sir James Carroll. The work of many months has at length borne effect, a monster hui, estimated to be the largest in the Dominion, being now in progress in Gisborne. The hui is being held on the park racecourse and tribes are present from far distant parts, many notable chiefs, being also in attendance. Invitations had been sent to all parts of New Zealand, but following the usual Maori custom no reply is sent to an invitation, the first notification of acceptance being that the Maoris are on their way to Gisborne. Under such circumstances the work of the hui committee has been very arduous, because of the uncertainty of the number of arrivals.

However, it was decided to take no risk, and preparations were made to cope with even 28,000, but that number will, it is anticipated, not be present. Big marquees are spread over the park, each being allotted a separate tribe. The dining marquee is capable of seating six hundred at one sitting, special long tables being allotted to each tribe, and special staffs being detailed to each table.

Up till this afternoon there were some hundreds of Maoris in camp. Visiting tribes arrived last night and all day to-day, and there are still large numbers on the way, including the Arawas (Rotorua) and the Ngapuhis (North Auckland). On arrival, each tribe is welcomed in the customary picturesque manner, on the marae, where the usual speeches follow, both from the visitors and their hosts. Amongst those under canvas at present are parties from the following tribes, with their chiefs, as given below: Teheiawaite and Ngati Raukawa tribes, of Waikanae, under Te Kakakura; Ngati Rakauringi tribe, of Ohau, under Kipi Roera; Wanganui tribes, under Mete King and Takarangi; Ngatiawg tribe, of Whakatane, under Ti Kapa; Tuhoe tribe, of Urewera country, under Te Pika; Wairarapa tribe, under Mrs Raukura Tamahao, window of Chief Tamahao; Wharelioa tribe, of Tc.upo, under Te Heu-Heu, grandson of the famous New Zealand chief of early days.

The hosts or home Maoris comprise practically every tribe and sub-tribe from Hicks Bay to Wairoa, and from Hawke’s Bay especially there is a large contingent of Ngatiporos, under Sir Apirana Ngata. In accordance with Maori custom unbounded hospitality is being shown the visiting tribes.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S TRIBUTE. GREAT FIGURE IN PUBLIC LIFE. GISBORNE, March 3. A memorial to the loving memory of the late Sir James Carroll was unveiled at Gisborne by the Prime Minister today. In paying a tribute to one who had been a colleague in Parliament, Sir Joseph Ward said that in his day and generation Sir James Carroll was a great figure in the public life of the Dominion. At the time of his entry into political life a writer of that day stated: “Were he to do nothing else, his efforts in the direction of the political and social: unions of the two races would hand his name down in New Zealand history as that of a statesman of broad and comprehensive views, farseeing and a benefactor alike to Maori and European. As one of the foremost young chiefs of a large and powerful tribe whose mana extended nearly the whole length of the East Coast of the North Island, he exercises a vast influence with the Native race and his opinions on Native questions naturally command the greatest attention. As an outcome of Native representation he is in himself a valuable and instructive lesson to the colonists.” That prophesy was fully carried out during Sir J.ames Carroll’s long career. A genial, good-natured man, he made friends wherever he went, and was one of the best examples of the commingling of the two races in New Zealand. He was a leader who did a great deal in bringing about an understanding between the Native race and the white race. He was an orator of the first order, probably one of the best speakers this country had produced. One of his main characteristics was the capacity for making lasting friendships. His Native policy, although criticised in some quarters at the time, had been proved to have been in the best interests of the race. In his death the country lost a New Zealand statesman and the Maori people a great rangitira. He was always a generous opponent as well as a loyal and sincore friend. He remained a stalwart adherent to the high traditions of the Liberal Party. Throughout his career‘lie was a stounch patriot and stood foursquare for King and country. In addition to the part he played in public life he was a keen sportsman. He served well both the races he represented. Understanding thoroughly the psychology of the Maori, he determined to do his utmost to help in welding the two peoples tof ether and in building a bridge of riendship and co-operation in timos when suspicions, due to old wartime days, had not died down. The keynote of his poliev was the harmony of both races and the gradual evolution of the Maori race in line with modern conditions. He was, in short, an able statesman, a polished gontleman and a loyal friend.

. Sir Joseph then unveiled a large, handsome Coromandel granite monument suitably inscribed in Maori and English. Eloquent addresses were delivered by Mita Taupopoki, chief of the Arawas, Tararangi • Mete Kingi, of "Wanganui, and the Bishop of Ao-tea-Roa (Rt. Rev. A. F. Bennett) and the memorial was then blessed by Father van Beck, assisted by Fathers Murphy and Kelly, while the hymns “Abide With Me” and “Nearer My God To Thee” were sung by St. Mary’s choir.