MONUMENT TO REWI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9490, 20 April 1894, Page 3 (Supplement)

MONUMENT TO REWI.

A handsome monument has been made for tho famous chief Rewi at the works of Mr. Tait, Rutland-street, monumental mason, to the order of Sir Geo. Grey, and the whole arrangements were carried out under the supervision of Mr. Seymour Thorne George. The basement is of Southern bluestone. The base of the column is of marble, and has on the side a Maori inscription giving Rewi's age. On the body stone are two recesses for the reception of portraits of Rewi and Sir George. Above this is a square block, on one side of which is an inscription in Maori of some length, to which is appended the name and date :—" Rewi Maniapoto. Apereira 1, 1894." There is no provision on the block for an English version of the Maori inscription, which is to be regretted, as many visitors to the monument will be unable to understand the meaning of the inscription. The shaft of bhe column is surmounted by an urn. Altogether the monumenb is of chaste and yet handsome design. An impression has prevailed thab the Government have nad something to do wibh tho monument, but that is a mistaken impression, as the whole expense is being borne by Sir Georgo Grey. When Riri, Rewi's messenger, came down in connection with the affair, Mr. George asked the Premier to give the services of a Government interpreter to make oub a Maori translation of the proposed inscription. The Premier readily agreed to this, the Hon. James Carroll also using his good offioos. On April 14 Mr. George forwarded the monument to Rewi by train to Te Awamutu. The 30th anniversary of the fall of Orakau Pa was celebrated on the 3rd April by the Naval and Military Association deciding to present as soon as possible a testimonial to Rswi (Manga) Maniopoto, the now aged and venerable defender of Orakau. The testimonial will be a handsome one written in the Maori language, and will only be signed by those who bore arms againsb Rewi, or were engaged in other NewZealand wars. Ib will convey the respect and admiration that his orstwhilo pakeha foes entertain of his qualities as a warrior, and their heartfelt sympathy with him in his present bodily infirmities.