WAITANGI ASSEMBLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21717, 5 February 1934, Page 11

WAITANGI ASSEMBLY

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOMES TRIBAL HOSTS IN CAMP TO-DAY'S GREAT CEREMONY Virtually the whole of the Maori contingents, representing tribes from all parts of New Zealand, as well as the Rarotongan party, were in the great camp at: Ti Point, Waitangi, last evening. They were estimated to number well over 5000. /' The stream of pakeha visitors, which had begun to flow early last week, swelled to large proportions on Saturday and yesterday, and available accommodation in and near Waitangi rapidly filled. The weather, which was uncertain on Saturday, was brilliantly fine yesterday, favouring the various ceremonies on the marae, including a church service at which Archbishop Averill addressed a large congregation. Bishop Bennett and twenty Maori clergy took part. An unofficial visit to the camp was paid yesterday by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, who also read the lessons at a service in the Williams memorial chapel at Paihia. This morning the Cabinet Ministers and members of Parliament will be received at 1 1 o'clock with impressive rites and at 2.30 p.m., transcending all other events, the Maoris will welcome the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe with colourful, fervent and warlike ceremony. To-morrow the main ceremony will be at the Residency, where, from the 90ft. flagstaff, the Union Jack will be unfurled and the carved porch sill of the runanga laid.