MAORI WAR CANOES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22700, 12 April 1937, Page 7

MAORI WAR CANOES

PLANS FOR CENTENARY BUILDING AT NGARUAWAHIA If the plans of Princess Te Puea Herangi, of Ngaruawahia, are perfected, seven great Maori war canoes will grace the waters of the Waitemata for the Centenary celebrations in 1940. They will constitute the Waikato tribe's contribution to the functions, symbolising the several migrations of the Maoris from their ancestral home, Hawaiki. 'ln the bush near Tobaanu, one big totara has already fallen and a party of young Maoris, acting under the directions and supervision of two venerable tohungas, are at present actively engaged in shaping the tree into » replica of the big war canoe now housed in the Auckland Museum. It is to be 84ft. in length and is being built in three sections for convenience in transporting it to Ngaruawahia, where the sections will be joined together and the vessel launched on the Waikato, The .project includes the construction of six additional canoes, each capable of ca.rr.ving 52 warriors, thus providing a spectacular display for the Centenary celebrations. : r / The project has been planned by Princess Te Puea, but as the building and carving of the vessels will entail considerable expense, the princess has arranged to raise the necessary funds by means of her Maori troupe of entertainers, who, during the ensuing six weeks, will visit the principal centres in the North Auckland district. The itinerary of the tour has been drawn up by Judge P. O. V. Acheson, of the Tokeroa Native Land Court, and the Rev. W. N. Pan a pa, of Mangere, has undertaken the work of organisation. The campaign was opened in the Forestors' Theatre, Onehunga, on Saturday night, under the patronage of the Mayor. Mr. J. Park, and the Onehunga Borough Council, before a packed audience. Princess Te Puea, in explaining the details of the scheme, referred to the difficulty in carrying it out owing to the expenso entailed. One item alone, she said, that of transporting the big canoe from Tokaanu to the railhead, would cost £SO, but she mentioned that the Government had generously agreed to remit a portion of the railway charges to Ngaruawahia. She expressed appreciation of the active support.given to the project by Mr. Park, also by Mr. I. J. Goldstine, Mayor of One Tree Hill, Mr. C. M. McCullongh, chairman of the Mount Roskill Road Board, Mr. H. J. White, chairman of the Ellerslie Town Board, and other prominent citizens. '