MAORI CANOES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23599, 7 March 1940, Page 10

MAORI CANOES

WORK AT NGARUAWAHIA THIRD CRAFT ALMOST READY LAUNCHING NEXT WEEK [by telegraph OWN correspondent.] HAMILTON, "Wednesday The third of the fleet of five massive Maori war canoes being constructed by the Waikato Maoris to mark the New Zealand Centennial is expected to be launched at Ngaruawahia next week. In addition to the canoe, which was built by Waikato craftsmen for the Ngapuhi tribe on the occasion of the Waitangi celebrations last month, two largo craft have already been commissioned on the Waikato River, and it is hoped that tho third will bo seen for the first tune at tho Ngaruawahia regatta on March IG. These vessels are stated to be the first war canoes to be built in New Zealand for over 100 years. However, in the passage of a century, the skill of past generations has not been lost.

WORK AT NGAEUAWAIIIA THIRD CRAFT ALMOST READY LAUNCHING NEXT WEEK [by telegraph OWN correspondent.] HAMILTON, "Wednesday The third of the fleet of five massive Maori war canoes being constructed by the Waikato Maoris to mark the New Zealand Centennial is expected to he launched at Ngaruawahia next week. In addition to the canoe, which was built by Waikato craftsmen for the Ngapuhi tribe on tho occasion of the Waitangi celebrations last month, two largo craft have already been commissioned on the Waikato River, and it is hoped that tho third will bo seen for the first tune at tho Ngaruawahia regatta on March IG. These vessels are stated to be the first war canoes to be built in New Zealand for over 100 years. However, in the passage of a century, the skill of past generations has not been lost. Busy Craftsmen Huge totara trees felled in tho Taupo forests were roughly shaped and hollowed in the bush and then brought to Ngaruawahia, where seven craftsmen have been working for many months. Their task has entailed no little sacrifice, for, while other Maori men in the settlement have been employed in tho district at high rates of pay, they have continued their monotonous work for 12 or more hours a day at a very small weekly wage. While some of tho men have gradually shaped the hull, others have carved the ornamental slats which, in the true old-time Maori fashion, will be lashed with flax bindings to the sides of the canoe. Only the tall prow and sternpiece, which aro remarkable examples of intricate and symbolic carving, remain to be finished. When it is explained by a patient Maori workman that weeks of constant labour aro required to complete a single square foot of carving, the tediousness and complexity of shaping these two sections alone is realised. Two Other Canoes to Finish The canoe builders' task will be far from ended when the third vessel is launched next week. The hulls of the two remaining craft, one of which is about 90ft. in length, are lying in sections at Ngaruawahia, and the workers will start almost immediately in preparing these for the water. Practically all the carved slats for these two vessels are already made, but the final shaping of the hull and the construction of the prows and sternposts are likely to take a considerable time. ]n the original Centennial celebration plans it was proposed to launch the fleet of five canoes on the Waitemata Harbour. On account of the war this proposal was postponed, but when the Duke of Kent eventually pays a visit to New Zealand on taking up his proposed post as Governor-General of Australia it is hoped that this ceremony will be enacted at Auckland.