NOTED MAORI CHIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19384, 20 July 1926, Page 14

NOTED MAORI CHIEF.

MONUMENT AT WHAKATANE. THE LATE HURINUI APANUI. UNVEILING THE MEMORIAL. [BY TELEGRAPH.' —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHAKATANE, Monday. The unveiling of the monument to the late Maori chief, Hurinui Apanui, took place yesterday morning in the presence of 2000 pakehas and Maoris. The weather was ideal. The monument is erected at the apex of the lawn near Pohaturoa Rock and the surroundings are of great natural beauty. It is a fitting place for the memorial for the locality is associated with many traditions of the ancient Maori. On the imposing monument of black granite are rarved a whare Runanga, representing the Matatua meeting house; a spray of manuka, being a representation of a sacred tree to which the late chief was always referred; a canoe, representing the Matatua canoe; a mere and a Maori axe, symbols always used in connection with a chief; and huia feathers and tikis. On ona side of the body stone of the monument is the following inscription in English"This monument was erected by the Government of New Zealand and Ngatiawa to the memory of Te Hurinui Apanui, chief of the Ngatiawa tribe. He was a loval supporter of the Sovereignty of Great Britain and was mourned at his death by both Maori and pakeha for his lovable qualities and uprightness of character. Died May 24, 1924; aged 69 years." On the other side of the stone is an inscription in Maori. The Maoris marched in procession from the pa to the rock, headed by the Whakatane Band, and as they approached a group of Maori women waved sprigs' of laurel to welcome them. Then the band played Chopin's Funeral March. Afterwards Te Hunua Anaha and Raerino Patupo led the ancient incantation customary to a ceremony and the speeches were given.

Eru Timutaru, a chief of theNgatiawas, paid an eloquent tribute to the late chief and extended a hearty welcome to all who were present. Addresses were also given by the Mayor of Whakatane, Mr. W. SuU livan, and the county chairman, Mr Walter Reid. B,angiteaore.ro Te Awekotuku, a chief of the Arawas, also-delivered an eloquent speech. In the course of his address the chief .explained that' the sis ribbons attached to the veil on'the monument represented the six canoes Hurinui was connected with and which came from a. distant land. It would be understood from that what genealogy attached to Hurinui V name.. . Six chiefs of the different tribes and canoes each grasped a ribbon attached to the flag which veiled the monument and the • monument waß unveiled. :A- most iinpressivei ceremony was brought to a closo with) the playing of the-National Anthem by the banrK • Later Tutengaehe Hatiwira, a chief of the Ngaiterangi tribe, recited the genealogical connection of the dead chief with the six canoes.

■ Subsequently the Maoris entertained 35(J Europeans to a sumptuous dinner in the dining hall at tbe pa. Nearly 2000 natives' had dinner <jn the lawn outside the meeting house.