THE ROYAL TOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 16

THE ROYAL TOUR

ENTHUSIASTIC MAORI WELCOME.

GREAT TRIBAL DISPLAYS.

ROTORUA, February 28. A pageant demands a fitting setting, and for the great reception by the loyal Arawas of the Duke and Duchess of York nothing could be finer than that presented at Arawa Park this morning. From the vantage point of the grandstand the Royal party overlooked a sea of expectant faces. In the far beyond historic Mokoia, the island of romance and tragedy, stood guard over a -silver sea glittering in the strong rays of the morning sun, and whipped into wavelets of snowy foam. Lake Rotorua was a dream lake, set in emerald green and russet fern. Clouds of rising steam indicated where nature found expression from the intolerable heat within. The scene, even at an early hour, was one of intense animation.

A COLOURFUL SCENE. Looking upon the gathering masses an impression would be gained that every Maori in New Zealand was present. The assistance of the sunshine had brought out all the treasures of the wardrobe, and a kaleidescope of multi-coloured garments formed the web and woof of tire vast moving army of sight-seers. The grandstand was a blaze of colour. All eyes were turned expectantly to greet the Duke and his charming Duchess. The rolling murmur of the liquid Maori speech, oratorical even in confidential conversation, indicated that great doings were afoot. A subdued air of mystery wrapped the expectant spectators when the tremendous' crowds gathered. As the appointed hour drew near rank upon rank of motor cars closed in on every available parking area. From the big marquees outside the area facing the Royal dais a continuous rumble of hakas, ceremonial rehearsals, and a terrible menacing menagerie of noises rolled up to the ears of the fastgathering crowd of spectators. MARCH OF WARRIORS. The grandstand was filling fast, when massive warriors, naked to the waist, and armed with spear and taiheu, -commenced . to march in orderly battalions into the arena, taking their places in ordered

groups. Gaily garbed maidens and robust matrons filled with the spirit of -high carnival filed by in support. Very graceful and beautiful did these groups appear, and little bursts of applause greeted them. Each tribal unit had its tribal colour scheme, and each was prespared to do its best in honour of the great occasion. The internal order was excellent. ’Ample room was given for the free development of spectacular evolutions. A stir in th© crowd and shouts of .greetings breaking into cheers heralded the arrival of the men of the Renown, as, with their band in the van, they came into the gateway. Jack Tar is nothing unless kind arid handy. With motherly care they set to- work atid carried in the infantile para-

lysis victims from the King George V. Hospital, who were having their great day welcoming Royalty. ‘‘ ON WHAT ERRAND ? ’ ’ A murmur breaking into cheers announced the coming of the Royal party. Fierce cries and the stamping of feet proclaimed the challenge of the assembled Maori tribes. Attended by a brilliant staff the Duke and Duchess were received with all the formal ceremonies. Clad in Native garments with lifted spears, the chosen representatives of the Maori race made their demand of : “On what errand they came?” “It was for peace and amity.” This debateable point being settled the united tribes thundered out their welcome

with spears held horizontally overhead. With rythmic beating of feet, hoarse staccato cries of “Huh! Huh I” the Royal party was escorted to the foot of the dais, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates and Mrs Coates accompanying them. Here they were received by Sir Maui Pomare, as the representative of the Native race, and Dr Te Rangihiroa, and were escorted to their seats amid the tremendous of both Pakehas and Maoris. ~“Haere ra! Haera ra!’’ The Duke in clearly audible tones, read his reply, which was translated by Sir Maui Pomare to -the assembled tribes, meeting with sustained cries of approval. Presentations were made by the Maoris of gifts, the Duke being invested with the chieftain’s mat and the Duchess with a tiki, which Sir Maui Pomare hung round her neck, and these were returned by the presentation to the chieftains of autographed pictures of the Royal visitors and walking-sticks to the chiefs. The Duchess was keenly interested in the proceedings, and her glance and magnetic smile missed nothing that was going on around her. The serious side of the ceremonial having - been accomplished the Natives then entered into the spirit of entertainment.

TRIBAL DISPLAYS. The warriors Matatau in red; trunks, opened with' a haka, which whetted the appetite for more, the Ducal party joining in the applause. The Tuhourangi in Native piu piu in four deep formation stamped into the ring, and sustained the reputation of their tribe for the skill and vigour of their dance. The Matatua poi dancers in a red and white with black seaweed piu pius leaped into popular favour. Their precision, and attack, and their-splendid rhythm and vim gained them a tremendous ovation,-in which the Duke and Duchess joined most heartily. “ 'A party of poi dancers;clad' in violet blouses and dark piu pius executed a difficult long 'poi movement- with d ; grape and skill which gained'them--unstinted ap-

proval. The popular Tuhourangi in a song and dance with vivid movements of expression then took the arena, and did justice to their already great reputation as entertainers to the delight of the audience. In red, white, and blue the people of Te Puke then expounded many delightful and fascinating movements, which were so clever and well executed that the Natives took up the applause, and echoed back the opinion of the grandstand. The swishing of piu pius with rythmic body work was beautifully done The final items were by the Ohinemutu people, who were in black with blue sashes. They made a very striking display coming out in single-file and moving with grace and precision. They lined out in front of the grandstand until they formed a big triangle, at the apex of which a strong bodv of skilled vocalists took up a position. The dance and song were continued until the Royal party was prepared to depart. The performers were massed round the arena, and the Duke and Duchess and party descended and made a circle of the ring, the Duchess chatting with the girls and taking a great interest in the'surroundings, asking many questions. The crowd rapidly closed up, and amid scenes of tremendous enthusiasm the Ducal party was escorted to the awaiting motor cars. WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED

The unveiling of the Maori War Memorial erected in the Government gardens by the Arawa tribe was performed by his Royal Highness, the Duke of York, this morning. The weather was glorious, the delightful surroundings being framed with greenery which was at its best after the rain. The flower beds were in full bloom. < The monument, draped with the Union Jack, and set off with carved posts, a Maori warrior typically defending it, and the gun in the foreground, made a striking picture. Notwithstanding the great crowd at the racecourse some 2000 or 3000 adults and children assembled around the ’ monument by half-past ten, content to wait for one and a-half hours. The children of the various schools in the neighbourhood were grouped on the southern side, the Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster Hawkins, were drawn up to

the e.asft, at the north were the Girl Guides under Captain Carnachan, and the returned soldiers, pakeha and Maori, under Major R. Dansey and Captain R. Varcoe, and the next-of-kin to those who gave their lives for’ their country. The returned Maori soldiers were played into their allotted position by the band of H.M.S. Renown, which took up its station next to the monument. Alongside them w’as the Maori choir, comprisihg some 50 voices, the girls being dressed alike, with

black blouses and red frocks. • The proper feeling at such a ceremony was very noticeable. - » Their Royal Highnesses received a rousing reception. The band of H.M.S. Renown, over 40 came along escorting a contingent of Maori returned soldiers. The whole of the proceedings were in the hands of the’ Hon. Sir Maui Pomare. " DEDICATION CEREMONY. On the platform with the Royal party was the Right Hon.-J.'G. Coates; Primes Minister of New Zealand. The service W-as* conducted by the Rev. F. A. Bcnnett; :j assisted by the 1 Revs.’ Eruini Waaka '• Kt’ ’ ’ i.Lv >...

and Maniahera Tuinatai. It began with the hymn “O God our help in ages past,’’ led by the Maori choir unaccompanied, the harmony being delightful. Then followed the unveiling of the monument by his Royal Highness, a dedicatory prayer by the Rev. Mr Bennett, and the following pronouncement by the Duke:— I unveil this memorial in honour of the brave Maori dead who gave their lives for their King and Empire. I desire to pay tribute to the loyalty, devotion and self-sacrifice of the gallant men whose memory will be forever preserved by this monument. The hymn “For ever with the Lord ’ was then sung, followed by the Last Post, sounded by six; buglers and drums. Mr Bennett pronounced the Benediction, after which buglers played the “Reveille.” All sang the National Anthem. Three wreaths from their Royal Highnesses and from the Maori and pakeha returned soldiers respectively were reverently placed at the foot of the monument by the Duke, who saluted each wreath as he stepped back. The Royal party and the Government officials then left, rousing cheers being accorded the Royal pair, who stood as the car moved off repeatedly acknowledging the cheers and applause. Then the returned soldiers moved off, led by the band, who were the guests of 'the Maoris for thc day.

ROYAL SON AND AUGUST LADY. ADDRESS TO ROYALTY. THE DUKE'S REPLY. ROTORUA, February 28. The following is the translation of the address from the Maoris presented to the Duke of York at this morning’s ceremonial welcome: — Seek them from the faT horizon and draw them hither. Ilaeremai, haeremai! May it please your Royal Highness,— Welcome, welcome, welcome, son, welcome.

The second of that name your Royal father bore to this distant land a generation ago, welcome! Thrice has Royalty deigned to honour our courtyard, to enter our humble house, -and to walk among us. It is good. Thus is fulfilled that word we spoke on this ground to your elder brother, that those who govern this far-flung Empire should walk and talk with its peoples in all its several parts, and so understand and be understood of them. Come, then,, in that spirit of trust wherein England appeals to the hearts of all knitting them securely 'together in peace and goodwill. Welcome, the messenger of the era to be when space and distance may be made-of small account, when words and works may encircle the globe as does • the sun, so that no part of the Empire may brood in gloom and there conspire evil.

Daughter of an honoured house, welcome, welcome ! _ Thus did the first Royal Duke appear before the eyes of our fathers, with his lady. Welcome the second Duchess. IIU Is it a woman’s peace you bring? Woman's hands and woman’s tears have soothed the wounds of a warring world. Now woman strives for the peace of God and enduring peace—the peace which passes all understanding. Welcome, then, embodying the ever-recurring hopes of mankind for a state in which health, happiness, and prosperity shall prevail. There are ruined homes to be built again ; there are broken hearts to be mended. There are empty places to be peopled ; there are waste places to be turned into gardens. Come, then, with the Empire's call to all your kind to cement its foundations anew in seriousness, with patience, and forbearanceWelcome, then, Royal son and August ■Lady. We do not need to repeat vows already made to his Majesty the King and to his eldest son. Loyalty has become a tradition of the Maori tribes of New Zealand, who have come to know qnd to value the things for which the Crown stands. The generation which welcomed a your Royal father has passed away, *and with it have gone many of the old times, ways, and wisdoms of our people. How else could it be? Ao-tea-roa and Te Waipounamu have become the common inheritance of your people and our pepole, . Welcome and farewell. Pass on to that larger land where, awaits your ultimate duty, the dedication of yet another . corner stone in the proud edifice of the Empire.

Haere ra, Haei'e ra. The Duke next delivered his reply as follows, Sir Maui Pomare interpreting : —•

Te.nakotou! The Duchess and I sincerely thank you for your address, and I will communicate to the King, my father, the message of loyalty and devotion to the Crown which it contains. The loyalty of the Maori tribes is well known, and was nobly shown by their services in the Grea£ European War. The King and Queen have not forgotten the tiifie that they spent among you. His Majesty retains the keenest interest in all that concerns ybur welfare, and he will desire to know of our reception among you, and of the changes there ■have been since his visit. Changes -must come with .time.- But retain your tradition of loyalty, courage, and chivalry,’and all wiU be well with you ‘■’■and your children.- I am especially ■' touched by your kind words about the Duchess, which she- gi’eatly appreciates. All ’ that relates to- the Welfare of

women and children is ever near her heart. As you have said, it is good ’ that those who live in different parts of the Empire should meet and talk with one another, so that they may be knit'together in closer understanding and sym- - pathy. For this reason we welcome bur visit to you. We desire»to see your life and customs for ourselves, so that- we may tell the people in the Homeland when we return. ! We thank you all for the welcome . which you have extended to us. We have greatly enjoyed seeing the wonders of your country, of which we have heard so much, and we shall be sorry when dur stay comes to an end. We wish you all happiness and prosperity in years to come. Kia ora. AUCKLAND, February 28.' Before leaving the Renown the Duke of York handed the following message to the captain of the warship:— Before leaving the ship to begin our tour of New Zealand, the Duchess and I wish to express to yourself, the officers and the ship’s company our grateful thanks for all that has been done* to make the journey a pleasant one for us. We have thoroughly enjoyed it, and hope that this feeling is shared by all on board. We realise that hard work lias had to be carried out under trying conditions, and wish to assure all on board that their labours are deeply appreciated by the Duchess and myself, and all those accompanying us. Captain Sulivan read the message to the ship’s company assembled on* the forecastle deck, and it was enthusiastically received.