TURI MEMORIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 210, 3 August 1933, Page 8

TURI MEMORIAL

MR COATES'S MESSAGE. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 2. At the unveiling of the Tun Memorial at Patea to-day, picturesque Maori ceremonies and dancing were followed by the address of Hon. J. A. Young, in which lie expressed the admiration of the pakeha for the prowess of the early Maori navigators. A message from Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates stated: “In sending greetings, I want to say how gratifying it is to observe the spirit of co-operation between the Maori and pakeha. Maori goodwill lias long been established, but there remained some need for closer co-operation and for greater appreciation, the one by the other, of the qualities, difficulties and aspirations of the two races, wdiich together form the nation. It is greatly to be desired that the history of the Maori should be preserved "by written records and by other means, and it is interesting to link up, as is being done to-day, the early Maori discovery and settlement of the various parts of New Zealand with the colonisation by the Europeans several hundred years later.”

THE UNVEILING CEREMONY. ADDRESS BY MINISTER. A BIG GATHERING. PATEA, Aug. 2. Some 2000 people witnessed the unveiling of the Turi Memorial. In brilliant sunshine, a long procession wended its way from the Domain., The Maori portion was most picturesque, the men being garbed in handsome flax and feather cloaks and mats, and many girls were wearing garments made of karaka leaves. Poi dances and hakas were given by representatives of numerous tribes descended from Turi and the people of the Aotea canoe, concluding with a magnificent and unique taialia display. At the ceremony before the great memorial, brief speeches in Maori were given by leading Maori chiefs and by the chairman of the Native Trust Board, which was largely responsible for erecting the memorial. The Mayor of Patea, Mr Ramsbottom, received from Rima Wluikarua for safe keeping, the historic picture by Messrs Hay-Campbell and Haddon, pakeha and Maori artists, also a number of Maori mats “presented by my people as Arawa to the great canoe.” Two old paddles and an ancient boat pole were also presented. The Maori baskets worn by tlie poi dancers were distributed as souvenirs. Bullocks, sheep, potatoes, kumera and shark were cooked in style, and were served to 500 iuaoris. A" great meeting of tribes was held in the morning, when a memorial tree to Turi was planted. Great bonfires were lit to-night and there was much feasting, dancing and recounting of old traditions. Events recorded by tradition as having been associated with the Aotea migration to New Zealand over 600 years ago were recalled by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. J. A. Young, when unveiling the memorial canoe to the memory of Turi, the leader of the expedition. After tracing the genesis of tlie migration, Mr Young recalled how the Aotea first made her landfall near the East Cape and tire various subsequent steps in their journey to Patea, where they made their home. Mr Young said they admired the courageous heart, the physical endurance, the mental initiative which were the attributes of adventurous enterprise such as 'Puri's feat of navigation undoubtedly was. The spirit of adventure in the ancient Polynesian people was slxown in nothing as much as their prowess as navigators. They were a nation of ocean-rovers pushing their canoes ever toward “the gateways of the day,” extending the horizon of their knowledge and accumulating centuries of traditions which had been affectionately preserved and handed down to the present time. “Among the heroes of Maori tradition,” said Mr Y'oung, “none has surpassed in valour and determination Turi, wlro, some 22 generations ago, successfully commanded the canoe Aotea in her voyage to New Zealand, and who, with Ins devoted followers, made Patea their permanent home, so becoming the great ancestor of the south Taranaki people. Everything that we know of Turi suggests that he was handsome and masterful, eminently, a leader of men, a pioneer, a founder of a great family, and it is as such that we are met hero to honour him to-day.” Turi’s original home was at Tahiti, where he was married and was rearing a family, and Mr Young traced his journey to New Zealand. “It is commonly accepted,” the Minister continued, “that the Aotea first made her landfall near the East Qape, and that this was at the Christmas season. The pohutukawa was in full bloom, and after theii; strenuous voyage the whole scene appeared to the voyagers so beautiful that they called this new land Aotea-roa, a long,' bright world, for which our word “paradise” is the best equivalent. “No long stay was made at the East Cape, for Turi was anxious to find the Patea country which Kupe (who had previously explored tlie coasts of both islands Matahourua canoe), bad described. So they steered for the Wnitemata Harbour, where they hauled the canoe over the Tamaki isthmus and launched her into the Western sea at Mamikau Harbour. Passing down the const they reached what to-day is known as Aotea Harbour, b'etween Raglan and ICawhia. Here they left the canoe, which is said to lie, sometimes visible to faithful eyes, submerged beneath tlie waves, and made their way. southward on foot.”