MISS JEAN BATTEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22612, 28 December 1936, Page 12

MISS JEAN BATTEN

WELCOME AT UOTORUA

TUMULTUOUS RECEPTION MAORI NAME BESTOWED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN' C( > HIIICS PO XI) EN T ] ROTORUA, Sunday Thousands of people assembled in the town square last evening, when a combined Maori and civic welcome was extended to Miss Jean Batten, who is at present revisiting tho town of her birth after her record-breaking flight from England to New Zealand. Multicoloured lamps illuminated the platform and the surrounding trees, completing an ideal setting for the welcome. Miss Batten was accompanied by her parents. Considerable interest was taken in the Maori "wero" or traditional challenge, which is given when an illustrious visitor sets foot on a marae. 1 he platform had been arranged to represent a marae the front of a meeting-house forming tho background to the staging. After an enthusiastic haka of welcome, the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, welcomed Miss Batten

"Daughter of the Skies" On behalf of the Maori people, and in particular the Arawa tribe, Mr. H. Tai Mitchell welcomed Miss Batten back to Rotorua. He said that two years ago the tribe had adopted Miss Batten as a daughter of the Arawa people, and now he had the added pleasure of bestowing on her a special Maori name. In a ceremony, which was closely followed by the thousands congregated in the square, Mr. Mitchell bestowed th<> name of Hinerangi, "daughter of the skies," upon Miss Batten. Following the ceremony he made presentations to Miss Batten on behalf of the tribe. Flier's Appreciation

In ijeplv, Miss Batten expressed her great pleasure at being back ill the town of her birth. She had felt greatl\ honoured to he made a daughter of tlio Arawa people, and again she felt very honoured when Mr. Mitchell gave her a special Maori name. Miss Batten expressed her sincere appreciation of the wonderfully enthusiasm tic reception which the people of l?otorua had given her. She then outlined the various stages of her latest great flight.