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Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3263, 5 February 1926, Page 7

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MERE RETURNED TO ARAWAS

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S GIFT.

[Per Press Association.] ROTORUA, Last Night,

The Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) arrived at Rotorua last night. This morning he was tendered a civic welcome at Government gardens and presented with an illu. minated address.

The Mayor (Mr C. H. Cllnkard) on behalf of the Borough, wished their Excellencies a pleasant time and assured them that eveythlng has been done by the Council to make it so. His Excellency alluded to the association of himself and Lady Alice with the Dominion. Both their parents had been Governors of New Zealand, and both had visited Rotorua. The speaker paid a high tribute to the loyalty of the Dominion and the devotion of the Maori race. In the afternoon, their Excellencies visited Whakarewawera, where Mlta Taupopokl made a. stirring speech supported by Arawas in dance and song

His Excellency, in replying, reviewed his past connection with Arawaa and presented them with a mere, the gift to his father by the chief Polhipl Tukuranga, of Taupo,j In 1874, as a token of peace between the Maori and pakeha races for ever. He gave it back to the Arawas as a sign that peace should obtain between the races for ever and ever, quoting the words of his father to Polhipl; “Let us live In peace among you, for surely as the waters of the Waikato flow down to the sea, so will peace and prosperity follow the union of the two races.”

Great satisfaction was expressed by the Arawas at the gift. After the close of the speech, their Excellencies greeted the chief and wahines In native fashion, greatly to the gratification of the spectators, after which an extended tour of the thermal sights was made.