THE MAORI KING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22368, 15 September 1934, Page 14

THE MAORI KING

VISIT TO ARAWA TERRITORY TRIBAL BREACH HEALED (Per United Press Association) > ROTORUA, September 14. Paying the first visit of any Maori king to Arawa territory since 1883, when the first king, Tawhaio, visited Maketu, Koroki, the newly-crowned king, accompanied by Princess Te Puea and a party of over 70 leaders of the Waikato, Ngapuhi, Taiiranga.iand Taupo tribes, was to-day welcomed bn the kainga of Ngati Pikiao, one of the largest sub-tribes of Te Arawa residing around the shores of Lake Rotoiti. Picturesque and traditional Maori ceremonies were associated with the welcome, the Ngati Pikiao mustering in force to greet the visitors with waving fern fronds and branches of trees. The ceremony marked the healing of a long-stand-ing breach between the Ngati Pikiao and Waikato tribes, and in speeches made by leaders of the two parties the hope was expressed that it would lend to reconciliation between the whole of Te Arawa and the king’s party. _ A large hall erected on the Ngati Pikiao kiaugn was'dedicated by two.tohuugas attached to the king’s party, with traditional ceremony and to the accompaniment of ancient chants sung by the Maoris of old on these occasions. King Koroki then turned the key in the door of the hall, in which a large conference of the tribes represented was held during the evening.