CHRISTENING PLATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21233, 13 July 1932, Page 12

CHRISTENING PLATE.

Sir, —Apropos your very interesting article in Saturday's Herald re the christening plate presented by tbe late Queen Victoria to the Maori chief'J baby, Albert Victor Pomare. This brings very vivid memories to me, as my .late., father accompanied tbe four Maori chiefs who made the trip home to England in 1853, and he often told me of the incident. But the story of the child being born in London is hardly correct, as he was born on the ship on the voyage to England. The fact of Queen Victoria's great interest in and affection for tho Maori race, and the unique circumstances, caused her to make the presentation and to stand godmother to liim. The Queen also entertained the Maoris and my father to dinner at Buckingham Palace, which the jiarty considered a very high honour, the Maoris being very much impressed with the Queen's genial personality and her lavish hospitality, and particularly in her desire to be at peace with the Maori race in New Zealand. The original inteution of the visit to England was to give a series of Maori entertainments, hakas, etc., but the late Duke of Norfolk forestalled that by presenting them to the Queen, and thereafter they could not ..show publicly after being received by Royalty. It seems definitely certain that the boy is dead and buried in New Zealand, but the place of burial is not certain yet. By a peculiar twist of fate, I met the lineal descendenfc of the Chief Pomare, who ia a married lady living near here, also a rangitira living next door to me has the genealogical tree which proves her claim. This tree goes right back about 14 generations to Rahiri, a great chief of long ago. Rahiri can be traced right back to the landing of the canoes. The names of both Pomare and his wife are identical with the names mentioned .by Archbishop Averill, to whom we are indebted for clearing up the mystery and making it known that the plate is in safe keeping. N. Lightband. - Mangamuka, Hokianga.