Maori Battalion Canteen

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 17, 26 November 1946, Page 1

Maori Battalion Canteen

Excellent Performance by Kaitaia Fire Brigade

“ He Tohu Aroha ” The most famous canteen in the Middle East and Italian theatres of war, the Maori mobile canteen, donated to the Maori battalion by native schoolchildren from all parts of New Zealand, is at present in Kaitaia. A link between the Maori race and the battalion's service and sacrifice during these campaigns, the canteen is a tangible example “that it is better to give than receive.” Bearing many battle scars, the vehicle is driven by Mr. Charles Bennett, or “Y.M. Charlie” as he is affectionately called. Yesterday it visited Pukepoto in the morning, where it was challenged in the traditional manner by the boys’ haka team. Songs of welcome were given, while action songs and poi dances were given by the schoolchildren. Speeches were givdn by Mr. Jesse Robson (School Committee chairman), Mr. John Cameron (a returned man) and Mike Robson (on behalf of the school).

After the children had concluded their part, the Rev. K. Harawira (vocational guidance officer, and first padre of the Maori battalion) spoke first to the adults in Maori and then to the children in English. He stated that the canteen was to be placed in the Waitangi museum. After this Mr. Bennett, who had driven the canteen throughout all campaigns, gave an interesting talk on his travels, illustrated with lantern slides. The welcome concluded with the signing of the hymn, “Abide 'With Me,’’ in Maori and English. Luncheon was served by members of the Women’s Institute. The sale of work by the Junior Red Cross resulted in g nett profit of i’ll 14/4, while raffle winners were Sam Davis, Miss F. Anderson, Miss Waitangi Yates and Rangi Simeon. Arrangements at Pukepoto were in the hands of Mr. Jesse Robson and Mr. J. Henderson, headmaster of the Pukepoto school. At Pamapuria in the afternoon the canteen again received the traditional challenge. Schoolchildren supplied time-honoured Maori entertainment, which showed a welcome and firstclass revival of this art. With the natural harmony of their race, the costumed children performed hakas, poi dances and action songs. Hymns were sung in Maori, and altogether the welcome to the canteen proved extremely impressive. A kapa maori' was later held, while lantern slides were shown in the evening. Mr. J. H. Blackman, headmaster, and Messrs. W. Clark and J. Dudley, tribal elders, were in charge of arrangements.

Considering that the Whangarei and Dargaville Fire Brigades have done plenty of competition work previously, the third place registered by the Kaitaia Voluntary brigade in the Dargaville Fire Erigade Challenge Shield competition for Northland Fire fighting units on Saturday, was an excellent performance. Eight men made the trip to Whangarei, Messrs. E. Clark, B. McKinnon, F. Donaldson and P. Paterson in the A team and R. Braithwaite, P. Donaldson, J. Foster and D. Faithfull in the B team. The last three mentioned have been in the brigade only three months and they gave a very creditable performance. At the first competition ever entered into or seen by a Kaitaia team they learnt a great deal and the experience gained will be invaluable. It was the first occasion on which the shield has been competed for by more than two brigades. When Dargaville presented the shield to Whangarei on Saturday evening it was suggested that in future when Northland brigades compete each brigade takes a turn in being the home team. In a relay race lor uniformed teams Kaitaia was second to Whangarei, being beaten by about 5 yards. • Messrs. E. Clark and B. McKinnon were second in the two-man coupling event. Dargaville was first in 27 secs, and the Kaitaia pair registered 28 secs., but with a 2sec. penalty for Eric Clark not having a couple of buttons done up they were still second in 30 secs. Ten teams competed altogether. Late Friday Night Commerce St. presented a colourful appearance last Friday evening when the first late shopping night was observed for over 5 years. Despite intermittent rain there were many people about and the general opinion amongst shop owners was that it had been a very successful night.