A MAORI BANQUET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14184, 9 April 1908, Page 2

A MAORI BANQUET

MR FOWLDS AT PUKETIRAKI. DR. TRUBY KING ON "AIR." THE PAKEIIA FASHIONS. Tho white ensign flew over a. orowd of Maoris waiting at Puketiraki on Tuesday evening to welcome tho Minister of Education (Iho Hon. G. Fowlds) and his party, who had, among; other things, been inspecting the Waikouaiti Native School' im the vicinity. A banquet had been arranged in tir - wliaro of the -Maori Council, and as ti«J visitors drove up women waving branched of grconory shouted greetings in the Maori tongue, Mid prctcdin;; tho guests, waved them to the upper end of the hall, calling " llaeremai, haeromai." Among tho 150 ladies and gentlemen present were tho Minister of iiduoation (Hon. G. Fowlds), Mr T. Panvla, M.P., Dr Truby King, Messrs Tame Parata, J. F. Arnold, M.P., Hoini Pi pi (chairman of tha council), Mrs J. F. Arnold, Miss Parata, tho ltov. P. Parata, and many other pakehas and Maoris. The banquet was on a lavish scale, and half a dozen young Maori ladies officiated' as waitresses. The whara was decorated with Maori designs and symbols, and tho Union Jack divided the honours of wall space with the banner, emblazoned with the sacrcd canoe. Mr T. Parata, who presided, spoke in a congratulatory strain of liquor not being permitted by' tho council in that building. They had nothing stronger than eoft drink —(loud applause),--but. lie asked them to charge their glassc and drink tho health of his Majesty the King.

This being accorded musical honours in Maori, Dr Truby King rose to propose tho health of tho Government, couplcd with the namo of the Hon. G. Fowlds. This had been sprung upon him suddenly, and ho felt rathor embarrassed. Ho felt suro that they would all bo alive to the honour done them by, and the advantages likely to accruo to them through, this Ministerial visit. Mr Fowlds, having been among them, would know exactly how things wero going on. His funotion was a, joint one. He was there on matters of education, also on tho subject of health. Dr Truby King went on to say that from his own personal experience of the school at Ka.ritane lie could say that tho best thing tho children could do would bo to do all they could to develop their physical and mental qualities. They must edueato hands as well as brains, and nothing bettor in that direction had ever been done by tho authorities than when they provided workshops for tho children, which had led to tho workmanliko erection of a carpentering 6hed. A human being was only half human if ho could not use his hand 3 as well as his brains. Speaking as a doctor, ho could not help saying that tho physical side of their nature was one of the greatest importance. . Some of them frequently called him in to attend them, saying they had' something wrong with their ohests. Now, there was absolutely nothing ,in the Maori race, to render them liable to tuberculosis; but they had adopted European methods in dress, food, and other things, and had not adopted others, notably the custom of admitting fresh air to their dwellings, especially at right. Fresh 1 air was a large element in avoiding risks. Anything that tended to uphold physique commended itself to him, a 6 a doctor, as being diametrically opposed to sickness and death. The condition of their Native School was excellent. It was well ventilated and had pleqty of light. His ohief' objection was thait the children did not get enough fresh air at home. The people were prono to shut themselves in their dwellings and close every cranny against tho air. No doubt tboy wanted to keep out the cold, but it would be better for their race to let in a little of the' cold as lon,g as they got tho air. He hoped thejy would excuse this digression, .but lie.felt suro it was a matter that appealed strongly to tho Minister. tho question of the High School, he had rib doubt but that Mr Fowlds would do his best.

The Hon. G. Fowlds tendered his sincer* thanks for the welcome that had been accorded him. He was delighted to visit them. Ho had Jong wished to be among: the people of his old friend Mr Parata. Ho would have visited them beforo, but his life was a busy one. Ho had, however, promised'to visit them in the recess, and hero he was. Ho had been pleased with tho children, and with the appearance of the school. As to the Native High School, ho would give tho matter every consideration. IE they would guarantee that the requisite number of. children in the South Island would be available for a course of higher education lie would promise to make the effort. Such a soheme, he would remind them, would meaji a great expense. H© had been pleased to near the remarks Dr Truby King_ had made concerning health, especially his advice as to plenty of fresh air. Their forefathers lived in a v;ay that fresh air was passing over them by day and by night. By day hunting and fighting gave them plenty of open air exercise, which in turn gavo them strong bodies and keen, alert minds. Now 1 circumstances had changed, and, in additon to othor European habits, the Maori must adopt the habit of fresh air. Europeans had only recently discovered that fact for themselves.

Dr Truby King: And a good many haven't discovered it yet.

Continuing, Mr Fowlds said that in Puketiraki they had one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen. It had an enohanting view and tho salt sea breeze. They ought to grow up a happy and a healthy people. He hoped they might become strong in every way. Tho Government of New Zealand had tried hard to do what it had honestly believed to be right for tho welfare of the whole people, so that the greatest amount of happiness might be scoured to the greatest number. It might havo mado mistakes in its treatmcnt of tho Maori people, but they had their health and happiness at heart the same as they onorished that of the Europeans. He hoped that European and Maori might progress and unite and make New Zealand a progressing, happy country, so that others might look to New Zealand and copy her methods. Ho was very pleased to havo inet them all. _ He thanked them all, especially the ladies, Cor this charming spread. Tho visitors would' long remember their kindness, their warm welcome, and this beautiful recast. Might health and happiness be theirs in all the coming yea re. / ■ I Mr Hemi Pipi, who spoke in Maori, m the name of the Maori Council was glad to welcome tho Minister aaid his friends. He, tho council, and tho people of Puketiraki wished him God-speed and a safe return to his liorhe.

Dr Triiby King, in proposing the health of Mr Blathwayt, the teacher at tho Native Sohool, warmly eulogised that gentleman's abilities and character. He was the children's friend. Dr Truby King had proposed that his own nophew should be placed under the care of Mr Blathwayt ait the school at ICaritarie. That was a practical proof of his confidence., Mr Blathwayt replied that he had only done his duty, and that his success was mainly duo 'to the loyal band of people who had laboured with him to win.

Mr Arnold, M.P., replying to the toast of "Parliament," knew a good deal about the Maoris, having lived near them in childhood. He had'a love and a respcct for them as a noble, chivalrous race. lie laid stress on tho neecessity for education, and assured his hearers that the members of Parliament would do .what they could in the direction of higher education. In the future pakeha and Maori would have to stand eide by side. Tlio health of the chairman, proposed by tho Minister, terminated the proceedings. -