MAORI SPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 9

MAORI SPORTS

TE RAHIA CUP CONTESTS [by telegraph —own correspondent] ROTORUA, Thursday Although a decision was reached some weeks ago to cancel the Maori celebrations, including the contests for the Te Pallia Cup, planned to be held in Auckland as a centennial feature, advice was received this week by ]\lr. 11. Tai Mitchell, chairman of the Arawa District Trust Board, from the acting-Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. F. Langstone, that the Te Rahia. Cup competitions will now be held. The contests, which will include games and other competitions of a traditional Maori character, are to take place at the T'lpsom Show Grounds on January 31 and February 1, and are expected to attract Maori teams from all parts of the Dominion.

The cup was originally presented by Viscount Bledisloe to indicate the interest which he took in Maori sport and is at present held by the Arawa people, who won it last year from a North Auckland tribe. Before the cancollation of the celebrations there was a strong feeling among the Arawa people that next year's contests should be held at Rotorua during the visit of the Duke of Kent, instead of at Auckland. as planned, bin as the Duke's visit to the Dominion has been cancelled indefinitely owing to the war, the Arawa people are agreeable to the events being held at Auckland and will defend their title.