GREAT MAORI HUI DOES HONOUR TO SIR JAS. CARROLL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6850, 4 March 1929, Page 7

GREAT MAORI HUI DOES HONOUR TO SIR JAS. CARROLL

Memorial Unveiled

PRIME [MINISTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO RANGITIRA FRIEND OF BOTH RACES. Per Press Association, GISBORNE, Last Night. For over a year now the Maoris of Poverty Bay, Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast districts have been busy raising funds for the hui or assemblage of Native tribes, in readiness for the unveiling of the memorial to the late Sir James Carroll. 1 Tho work of many months has at length borno effect. A monster hui, estimated to be tho largest in the Dominion, being now in progress in Gisborne. The hui is being held on the Pari racecourse and tribes are present from far distant parts, many notable chiefs being also in attendance. Invitations had been sent to all parts of Now Zealand but, following tho usual Maori custom, no reply was sent to the invitation, the first notification of acceptance being that the Maoris aro on tho way to Gisborne. In such circumstances, the work of tho hui committee has been very arduous, because of the. uncertainty of tho number of arrivals. However, it was decidod to take no risk, and preparations were made to cope with even 25,000, but that number will, it is anticipated, not be present. Big marquees are spread over the park, each being allotted to a separate tribe. Tho dining marquee is capable of seating 600. at one sitting, special long tables being allotted to each tribe and special staffs being detailed to each table. Up till Saturday afternoon, there were some hundreds of Maoris in camp. Visiting tribes arrived during the night and all day and there were 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 tho marae, where the usual speeches follow both from the visitors and their hosts. Amongst those under canvas at present are parties from tho following tribes, with their chiefs, as given below: The To Heiawaite and Ngati Rakaua tribes, of Waikanao, under Te Kakakura; the Ngati Rakauringi tribe, of Ohau. under Kipi Roera; the Wanganui tribes under Mete Kinga and Takarangi; tbe Ngatiawa tribe, of Whakatane, under Ti Kapa; the Tuhoc tribe of the Urewera country, under To Pika; the Wairarapa tribe, Under Mrs Ruakura Tamahoa, widow of tho chief Tamahou; the Wharohou tribe, of Taupo, under Te Heu Hen, grandson' of the famous New Zealand chief of early days. The hosts,' or home Maoris, comprise practically every tribe and sub-tribe from Hawke’s Bay to Wairoa and from Hawke’s Bay especilly is a largo contingent of Ngatiporous, under Sir Apirana Ngata. In accordance with Maori custom, unbounded hospitality is being shown the visiting tribes. Large parties of Arawas under Mita Taupopoki and Ngaputus arrived in camp last night. Run, the Maori prophet, is also in camp, having arrived with the Tupoes. In ideal weather, perhaps the largest crowd ever seen in Gisborne, numbering many thousands, assembled this afternoon at the tomb of Sir James Carroll for the unveiling of the memorial ceremony, which was performed by Sir Joseph Ward. After outlining in an eloquent speech the life history of Sir James Carroll and paying tribute to the great work done by tho deceased statesman, both for the Maori race and tho pakeha, Sir Joseph said Sir James Carroll was a good-natured man and was one of the best examples of tho co-mingling of tho two races in Now Zealand. Ho was a leader who did a great deal in bringing about understanding between the Native race and tho white people. Ho was an orator of tho first order—one of the best speakers New Zealand over had. “His native policy, although criticised in some quarters at times, has been proved to be in the best interests of the race. “In his death, the country lost a New Zealand statesman and Maori people lost a good rangitira. He was a generous opponent, as well as a loyal and sincere friend. He remained a stalwart adherent to tho high traditions of the Liberal patty throughout his career. Sir James Carroll was a staunch patriot and stood four-square for King and country.” After outlining Sir James Carroll’s history in sport, Sir Joseph wont on to say the keynote of the deceased’s policy was in short, the harmonising of both races and the gradual evolution of the Maori race in line with modern conditions. Sir James Carroll was an able statesman, polished gentleman and loyal friend. Those who esteemed him had put on record tho monument he was unveiling that day. Sir James had left behind him a memory unblemished; ho was one who had done his duty in every way on behalf of the Maori race and also on behalf of the white peoplo of New Zealand. Sir Joseph then unveiled a large, handsome Coromandel granite monument, suitably inscribed in Maori and English. Eloquent addresses were delivered also by Mita Taupopoki, chief of the Arawas, Tararangi Mita Kingi, of Wanganui and the Bishop of Aotea Roa (Very Rev. Bennett) and tho : memorial was then blessed by Father i van Beck, assisted by Fathers Murphy and Kelly, while the hymns “Abide With Me,” were sung by St. Mary’s choir and “Nearer My Good w Thee”

(in Maori), by the Maori Mission choir. The ceremony was concluded by SB A. Ngata, who returned thanks to Sir Joseph Ward.