SYMBOLIC MAORI MAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23816, 18 November 1940, Page 9

SYMBOLIC MAORI MAT

WARD FAMILY HEIRLOOM The presentation of a korowai, or Maori mat of remembrance, on the death of Sir* Joseph Ward at Wellington, was recalled at the funeral of his son, Sir Cyril Ward, in Christchurch last week. The mat was presented for South Island Maoris by Mr. Tuiti Makitanara, then member of Parliament for the Southern Maori electorate. According to Mr. Makitanara.'s explanation of the significance of the mat, the korowai was "presented and performed under native custom on the death of a chief of high rank," and was a symbol of respect for the dead , and of condolence and sympathy for relatives. It passed from generation to generation, becoming the absolute property of the eldest son. At the funeral, the mat was placed on the coffin by Sir Cyril Ward's eldest son, Lieutenant Sir Joseph G. D. Ward, and remained ou the coffin until he removed it at the graveside at the Bromley Cemetery. To show the esteem in which they held the Ward family and as a mark of respect to a "great chief," a party of ten Maoris took part in the funeral.