MAORI "PARLIAMENT."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17113, 19 March 1919, Page 9

MAORI "PARLIAMENT."

■J,. OPENED AT NGARUAWAHIA. m PICTURESQUE CEREMONY.. K . Ip' jfj .GATHERING OF TRIBES. v. .'.■' Wi [Bt IBIE6RAFE.-OWN OOERESPONBEKT.]

NGAEUAWAHIA, Tuesday. A Maori Council Chamber erects by He Waikato and Maniapoto tribes as a place for the holding of tribal discussions, and of framing resolutions and suggestions to be forwarded to Parliament, was otened at Ngaruawahia to-day. It is intended to bold sittings of the council twice qnnuallv for' the discussion of matters affecting the natives. The unique ceremony attracted large numbers oi native visitors from all parts of the province, the Wairarapa and Otaki, and Otorohanga. Those attending were estimated to number ftbout 2000. The Hon. Dr. Pomare, member of the Executive Council, rcproanting the native race, was among the spectators. Owing to indisposition, "King" Jlahuta was unable to attend. The Council House, or the "Turanga Wai " (the footstool), is the outcome of a prophecy that Ngaruawahia should ono dav become the seat of administration, or "the footstool" of the Waikato tribe, a prophecy made three generations ago by the then " King " Potatau. His successor, " King" Tawhiao, made an effort to carry out the wish of his ancestor, without success. It was not until the present ruler, Mabuta, came into power that the proposal became practicable through the efforts of Princess Te Puia, a cousin of the present " king," and with financial assistance from the various tribes. Native Features Retained,

The interesting building has been erected in the centre of the Xgaruawahia township. Externally the council chamber is not unlike a very modern Maori house. Though built of brick on a concrete foundation, the essential features of the native -, architecture have been retained. The (frontal porch is supported by two grotesquely -carved pillars, which in turn tear the carved gable pieces, and terminate at the angle in a large teko teko post. Tho main building is comprised of the large ceritral chamber flanked by smaller rooms at either end. Maori carving stained with red ochre forms an integral part of the external ornaments. The walls are of stucco, a pale yellow tint. The roof is of red tiles. The opening ceremony was entirely Dative in character, and was not a little picturesque. About the entrance steps were grouped parties of poi girls dressed in their native costumes, with red ribbons in their dark hair. Older women, wearin? bright dresses and gaudy shawls, squatted here and there ceaselessly droning their native songs. Crowds of men, not a few of them soldiers in uniform, pressed closely about the entrance porch eager to enter the building. From the flarpole on the roof waved two large flags, one a crimson pennant with tribal names embroidered, the ether bearing the symbolic rainbow at one time worshipped by the natives.

Consecration Ceremony.

The first part of the ceremony was one of consecration, performed by the Rev. Mr, Kirkwood, Wesleyan minister from Raglan, and the Rev. Tokoroa, of Mercer, representing the Anglican Church. On the invitation of the Church officials, the Maoris sang a number of hymns and songs of welcome. Chief Puihana then welcomed the natives on behalf of the" king." The three youths, Taipu Mahuta, a brother of the present " king," Tea Tawhiao and Tuata Tawhiao, his cousins, then crossed the ferry to the native encampment at the junction of the Waikato and the Waipa Rivers, and escorted the visiting chiefs to the meeting house. One of these, Tutanetai, of Rotorua, then gave an address of i welcome. ! , Entrance Through Main Doors. The excitement became intense as the time for opening the ornamented doors approached. The pois began to swing, and tie onlookers repeated welcome songs in unison as the three Maori princesses, TePuia, Uira and Piupiu, all relations of the "king," were led to the ornamented doors. At once the various chiefs advanced into the council hall, or " throne room," as it is known by the natives. They were followed by several wahinea uttering their" plaintive cries. The visitors then seated themselves in groups on mats laid on the floor, and were addressed by Chief Tupata, from Hawera, and by Chief Tttwha Kiririka, of Otorohanga, who* said that the building was not meant for any individual man, but for the native Maori race. The ceremony was then closed by a short address by Hongi Hongi, of Otorohanga. The eager crowd outside, who were of necessity held back by the police, were now allowed to enter the building. After a thorough inspection, the natives returned to their encampment to prepare a banquet in honour of the occasion. A Glimpse of the Interior. The interior decoration of the "throne room " has been carried out with a fine regard to the good uses to which the building is to be nut, and with no appaMnt regard to expense. At the western end is the "njyal" chair raised on a dais, ' draped with gorgeous feather and flax ' mats. Behind the chair is a tall pedestal of native wood, heavily carved and hung with large greenstone meres. Over the chair is laid a fine dull red mat, made , from the feathers of the kaka. On either side are stools, that on the right for the use of the native "premier," Tupa Tangahawa, that on the left for one of Rata'a leading chiefs. There is no other furniture in the room, the custom being for the lower natives to sit upon the mate of coloured flax spread upon the floor. At '%,. intervals the walls of ribbed woods are | draped with handsome coloured mats, inft eluding several tanekos, made from kiwi || plumage. Many of these have been -;j brought from the treasure house of i?, "King" Mahuta. The ceiling is of yelp' low meshes, at intervals crossed by beams -;,;, decorated with characteristic patterns in ' red, white, and black. These patterns .i deal with symbolic phases of Maori history. Flags bearing the names of important tribes hang here and there. The carvings were done by members of the. Raukawa and the Whakatere tribes. The decorations for the sitting-rooms are of a similar, but simpler, nature. Festive Celebrations.

The festive celebrations are being continued at a great bui held on the Dante , of the Waipa River. Over 1000 Maoris are encamped there, each tribe being ' allotted a separate tent. Here the natives are seen in their element. A lofty nikan shelter, three chains long, has been erected to cover the dining-tables, at which the natives have their meals. The natives make a quaint picture squatting in groups round piles of potatoes and iumaras, or building up their hangis with vegetables, dried eels, sharks, and strings ; of threaded pipis upon the red-hot stones. The feasting will be continued with frequent koreros until Thursday.