ANCIENT MAORI ART

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 12

ANCIENT MAORI ART

PRESERVATION SCHEME MEETING-HOUSE AT OTAKI END OF LONG TASK IN SIGHT Primarily to preserve the ancient art of the Maori for the instruction of the younger generation of the native race, a new meeting-house embodying the traditional symbolism and tribal lore of tho day before the coming of the pakeha is taking shape at Otaki. For nearly four years the building has been under construction and it will shortly br> completed. It is to be opened on February 2G of next year with great ceremony in tfie presence of between 4000 and 5000 members of the .Maori people from all parts of the North Island. The new building is favourably situated in tho heart of the town and takes the place of an old one, the history of which was linked with the earliest days of the settlement. It was allied to the native church that is a place of much interest to visitors to Otaki. The Ngati-raukawa tribe, which had its original habitation in the Waikato, is building the meeting-house, in conjunction with the -Maori Purposes Hoard. A recent inspection revealed the most beautiful examples of native carving and decoration. It is a spacious place, the interior dimensions being about feet by 2o feet. The carved gable at the entrance is surmounted by the figure of a warrior. The building is being erected under the supervision of Mr. H. McMillan, in conjunction with Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P. They have planned a building the walls of which are rich in the mythology of days that are gone. The execution and detail arc- of the finest craftsmanship. All the elaborate carving is being done at Hotorua by pupils of the Maori Arts and Crafts School under the. direction of Mr. H. Hamilton. The weaving of the mural panels was carried out at Otaki. No one has estimated or can assess the cost of the building as most of the carving, weaving and painting of the design has been done as a labour of love.