Opening of Maori King’s House.

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 64, 17 March 1938, Page 8

Opening of Maori King’s House.

GREAT ACTIVITY AT ' NGARUAWAHIA PA REVIVAL OF OLD CUSTOAI NGARUAWAHIA, March 15. With the long-awaited day for th? opening of the Alaori King’s house at Ngaruawahia by the Governor-General only three days away, the pa is a scene of great activity. Already the visiting Alaoris have begun to arrive, and by Friday the numbers will have increased to 5000. This is regarded as being the most important Alaori occasion for many years. Special significance is attached to the fact that the ancient custom has been revived of taking the principal guest to the pa in a war canoe. With the passing of the canoes from the rivers, this custom dropped into disuse, but under the scheme of Te Puea to build a fleet of seven canoes for the 1940 centenary there is a canoe available at the pa. This is Te Winika, the carving for which has recently been completed. Only within recent months have the three sections for this canoe been joined together at the pa, and only within the past few days has the carving been completed. Now the canoe has been launched in the river, and it has been found that the ancient art has not been lost. The craft floats absolutely upright, with perfect balance. As one enthusiastic Alaori put it, “The waka just kissed the water. ’ ’ Work has begun on the landing stage, where his Excellency is to disembark at the pa from the canoe; but this is only one piece of evidence of activity going on all over the pa area. Paths are being swept, lawns and untidy grascut, flowerbeds weeded and painting done. Vast quantities of food will be necessary. In the aggregate tons of meat and vegetables will be eaten. One helper in Auckland alone, Airs Kongo Kirkwood, of Onehunga, sent no fewer than 109 Sib puddings to the pa last Friday. It is estimated that in all 10,000 eels will be needed. On the domain across the road from the pa 40 marquees, for the hire of which the Government made a grant, have been erected. These will accommodate the visitors until the Atonday, when they will leave. Already the population at the pa has risen to 300, and every day until Friday more will arrive.