WEDDING AND BIRTHDAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 28 January 1936, Page 3

WEDDING AND BIRTHDAY

GATHERING at ratana pa

A GREAT FEAST (By Telegraph—Press Association) WANGANUI, 27th January. Representatives of Maori tribes all over New Zealand attended festivities at Ratafia I’a oil Saturday afternoon, when T. W. Ratana celebrated his sixtythird birthday and the marriage took place of Miss Raimpaha T. 'liniiara, ol llawcra, and Mr W. Wharoupoko Akonga Mold, of llawkes Bay. Over three thousand people, both Maori and pakc’na, were present. A great feast was the highlight of the gathering, the food having been cooked in true Maori fashion. After welcoming his guests, Tapupotiki Wiremu Ratana referred to the regret felt by the Maoris at the passing of Wing George V. At the same time, he said, the Maoris hailed the new King, and with their pakeha friends said, “Long live the King!' “Our only’ wish is,” he continued, “that the love shown liv his great-grand-mother, Queen Victoria, by his grandfather. King Edward VII, and by his father. King George V, may be perpetuated by his fulfilment of that great pact known as the Treaty of Waitangi, so that the brotherhood between Maori and pakclia may be maintained under the one flag of tile British Empire.” Other speakers included Mr Ormond Wilson, M.P. for Rangitikei, Sir E. 'I Tirikntene. M.P., Mr J. B. Cotterill, M.P. for Wanganui, and Mr H. T. Ratana, M.P., a son of the prophet. Divine service was held yesterday and a sports meeting is to take place to-day.