MAORI GATHERING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21577, 23 August 1933, Page 10

MAORI GATHERING

EAST COAST CELEBRATIONS CARNIVAL TROPHIES PRESENTED [from oub own correspondent] OPOTIKI, Tuesday The official presentation of the trophies won by the Maungaroa Maoris at the Opotiki carnival took place at Maungaroa. The Maori people had sent an invitation to the members of the carnival committee to attend the hui at Maungaroa. Hundreds of Maoris from the Coast attended. The people formed a circle round the marae, while 15 members of the Maungaroa Maori Girls' Choir awaited the arrival of the visitors. When the visitors had taken their seats the girls' choir, accompanied by an orchestra, sang severa ; l songs and did a number of poi dances. They were then joined by the Maori warriors of the hapu, all in full Maori dress, to give a combined haka of welcome. After tho haka Paerau, the chief of tho Hapu, welcomed the visitors. Paerau, who is advanced in years, is a direct descendant of Tekani Atakirau, one of the greatest chiefs of the east coast. Among tho other Maori veterans who spoke was Rakuraku, from Waimana. . _ The Mayor of Opotiki, Mr. G. S. Moody, Mr. J. It. Sinclair, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. C. H. Fleming, secretary of the carnival committeo, all addressed the gathering and made presentations. Tho gathering then adjourned to the meeting house, where dinner was 1 served. The interior of the building was beautifully decorated with coloured streamers and nikau palms, while the tables were spread as for a banquet. After a football match, the cluded with a dance in the To Kaha Hall, which was well attended by both Maoris and pakehas.