MAORIS COME TO TOWN

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

MAORIS COME TO TOWN

EN ROUTE FOR NORTH TRIBES FROM ALL PARTS OWN FOOD SUPPLIES CARRIED CONTRASTS IN CITY STREETS There was another invasion of Auckland by the Maori race on Saturday when many hundreds of Southern natives, waiting to go north to the Waitangi celebrations by special trains in the evening, created a colourful feature in the street life of the city. The native race living in Auckland has forsaken most of the customs and habits which distinguish Maoris in other districts of the North Island, but the great racial and tribal significance of the Waitangi celebrations attracted representatives of an older generation and from more remote parts.

It was the contrast between the old and tho new that created most interest among passers-by. In one group would be heavily-tattooed elderly Maori women, kerchief over head, and carrying voluminous flax kits from which an aroma of mussels frequently emanated; in another, slim, smartly dressed, eager young representatives of the younger generation. One feature was common to old and young —a love of colour and personal adornment. Undoubtedly the Maori youths set a standard in the matter of "brighter clothes for men" which would be hard for the self-conscious pakeha to emulate. Striped flannels, green, pink and red silk shirts, "plusfours," "Oxford bags," white leather shoes—all were in striking evidence. Waiatas and Hakas at Station

The transportation of so many hundreds of natives, many of whom do not understand a word of English, presented considerable difficulty to railway officials, but with the assistance of the Department of Internal Affairs and the Native Department, which arc jointly superintending the gathering, the transport arrangements in Auckland were carried out most successfully. About 750 local, East Coast, Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Maoris were entrained on Friday night, amid scenes which were reminiscent of the embarkation of troops during the war. Waiatas and hakas were given with zest and abandon during the time of waiting, and as the two trains steamed out, rousing haka;> were given. Nearly 600 Maoris arrived in the city by special train at 9.14 a.m. oji Saturday. On leaving Wellington it consisted of four carriages, carrying 60 passengers. At Palmerston North, a contingent from Hawke's Bay joined, bringing the total to 295 passengers, while at Taumarunui natives from Taranaki made the train load 577 passengers. On arrival at Auckland, the train consisted of 16 carriages and carried 587 passengers. In order to simplify arrangements, there were well-defined parties, each under a leader, who was in touch with officials. Seeing Auckland

A large proportion of the visitors decided to see as much of Auckland as possible, but others, principally the more elderly, preferred to make the station their headquarters. The social room had been placed at their disposal and through most of the day the piano was playing vigorously as parties rehearsed waiatas in readiness for their part in the Waitangi celebrations. It must be admitted, however, .that the latest jazz tunes occupied a, considerable percentage of the time spent around the piano. Like an army, the Maoris did not depend entirely on the territory visited for food supplies, but carried plentiful provisions of their own. Cases of boiled and roasted potatoes were brought into the social room, and partaken of throughout the day, but the great attraction was a large case of boiled mussels, which formed the hors d'oeuvre. Local cafes and fish shops also did a brisk trade in lobsters and other marine specialties, while on the streets large ice creams were much in evidence. Long before the first train was duo to depart for the North, most_ of the intending passengers were waiting on the platform, and as soon as the carriages were shunted into position there was a rush for seats. Compared with the passengers of the previous night, however, Saturday's travellers were a very subdued band. Joyous and Contented Children

lr. the other carriages all the attitudes so well known to sleep-seeking passengers by the limited expresses were adopted, in addition to many less conventional poses made possible by the greater freedom of the party. There were many children of all ages, from infants in arms, but, in spito of the lateness of the hour and the strangeness and discomfort of the surroundings, not one whimpering child was to bo seen. . , ~ Although everyone was cheerful : tn<? events of the day had quenched their exuberance and no massed hakas or songs were heard. Here and there, however, a solitary voice was lifted in a typical Maori melody. There were many exchanges of the phrase, "See you at Waitangi," as the first train, bearing the Hawke's Bay contingent, steamed out of the station at 10.45, just an hour before the second train, carrying the Wellington and Taranaki natives, left for the north, and it was evident that the differences which have existed in the past between the two sections of the Maori race have now been eliminated in the true spirit of the Waitangi celebrations.