THE DUKE ON TOUR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18587, 22 December 1934, Page 5

THE DUKE ON TOUR

ROTORUA WELCOME

PIG MAORI CEREMONY

PRIME MINISTER PRESENT

' • j. (Special to the Herald.) ROTOEfUA, this day

Everything is in train for the great Maori reception to be tendered to the Duke of Gloucester here to-day, delegations from practically every tribal district of the Dominion having now assembled in the thermal centre, to a total number of about 2000, according to official estimates. Keen enthusiasm has been displayed in connection with the preparations for welcoming the Duke, as from the natives of New Zealand, and by noon yesterday it was assured that not only would IBs Roval Highness see a large gathering of Maoris, • hut that the assurances of loyalty and affection prepared for submission to the Duke, as a representative of the Royal Family of England, would be enorsed by every Canoe of the descendants of the great Pacific migration. JOURNEY FROM GISBORNE

His Royal Highness arrived at Rotorua on,schedule last evening, having borne the long and fatiguing journey by road from Gisborne with characteristic aplomb. The scenes witnessed by the way were ' temarkahle for their variety and beauty, and the Royal party was much impressed by the range of scenic features to be observed on the route from Poverty Bay. Many of the New Zealanders attached to the entourage found their earlier impressions improved upon, and those who made the journey for the first time through the Waioeka Valley road, linking Poverty Ray with the Bay of Plenty, came to the end of their day’s journey with the wonderful improvement in the road as one pf their major topics. . _ - There was one note sustained throughout the journey otherwise notable for its variety. This was the note of deep loyalty and interest voiced at every point favored by a halt on the part of the Royal tourist. From the time the Duke arrived in New Zealand, all deviations from a strictly correct official procedure on the part of, local authorities have been n ore than .compensated for by the evidences of earnest endeavor to convey to His Royal Highness the spirit of loyalty felt throughout the Dominion and the pride with which New Zealanders regard their associations with the British commonwealth of nations. Yesterday’s drive from Gisborne to Rotorua, fatiguing as it was, nevertheless was an inspiring one for all who took part in the official progress, for in the tiniest r -f hamlets, as well as'm the more important centres of population along the route, there were displays oi enthusiasm which, it is safe to say, will not be surpassed, except in scale, by the gatherings bf the metropolitan districts.

MET BY MAQRI LEADERS

The approach of the Duke’s party to Rotorua, past a long and beautiful chain of lakes, furnished a refreshing end to a long day’s travelling. The scene descried from the hills above Rotoma was one of the most beautiful imaginable, and every overseas member of the entourage was deeply impressed wit this first glimpse of the beauties of the thermal lake district. It was not long before the nostrils of the party were assailed by the characteristic' odors associated with the mineral waters of Rotorua. ' . On his arrival at Rotorua, the Unite was welcomed at the Grand Hotel by Sir Apirana Ngata, member for the Eastern Maori electorate, and paramount chiefs of the Arawa tribe and leaders of various tribal delegations present in Rotorua for the Royal visit. Sir Apirana Ngata has lost none of his energy and enthusiasm, and during the past few days, duringi which he has been superintending the preparations for to-day s native welcome, he has been very busy. It was anticipated that, in addition to the many score of official native visitors for whose journey to Rotorua the Government had made special arrangements, to-day’s gathering would include practically the entire native population of the Rotorua district, with substantial levies from the Whakatane, Taneatua and Tauranga areas of the Bay of Plenty.

MR. FORBES’ ADVENT

Yesterday the highlight of the preparations for the Duke's visit Was the arrival at Rotorua of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. Mr. Forbes is to participate in the welcome to the Duke of Gloucester in his capacity as Native Minister, and his advent in the thermal centre was the occasion of a typical Maori ceremony, which demonstrated to all who witnessed it that the Maori people are anxious to maintain the honor and respect of the post of Minister of Native Affairs. Numerous speeches of welcome to the pakeha rangatira were made by leading chiefs of the various tribes, and much satisfaction was drawn by the native gathering from the assurance given by the Minister that the land settlement schemes launched by Sir Apirana Ngata, his predecessor in the portfolio of Native Affairs, would be pushed on with vigour. This ceremony was similar, though on 'a larger scale, to the welcoming gatherings neld on various maraes of the district where the delegations from other parts of the Dominion are being accommodated.

The centre of activity has. been at Ohinemutu,. where Si" Apirana Ngata established his headquarters on arrival here, and where a great deal of work has been accomplished in the way of clearing up both Ohinemutu and Whakarewarewa in anticipation of a visit from His Royal Highness. Associated in the organisation of the Royal reception are Mr. H. R. H. Balneavis, private secretary to the Minister of Native Affairs, and a number of departmental officers detailed for duty in connection with the visit of the Duke to Rotorua. Among the official Maori representatives gathered for to-day’s big ceremony are Messrs. Tau Henare end Taiti te Tomo, native members for the Northern and Western Maori districts, respectively; and it was hoped that Mr. E. T. Tirikatene, memheiuffor the Southern Maori district, woirra be able to make a late appearance at despite a prior engagement at Ratana pa.

MAORI CEREMONY

The Arawa Park racecourse will be the scene of the Maori welcome to the son of Britain’s Sovereign at 1 o’clock this afternoon. The pakeha welcome from Rotorua citizens will precede the native ceremony, and the Duke will there meet the returned soldiers of the

district, and will have an opportunity of seeing old settlers in the Rotorua district who knew the pink and white terraces in all their glory before they were blotted out by the Tarawera eruption. School children from all parts of the district will take part in trie municipal and district welcome to His Royal Highness, an estimate of the number of school c ,,: ' ’.'"i to be gathered pjacinir the total as high as 2000. A finely-executed address of honor will be presented to the JV'e by the Mayor of Rotorua, Mr. T. Jackson, the scroll being contained in a finely-wrought casket .carved by » Maori master-craftsman, typifying the

union of Maori and pakeha interests in the thermal centre.

At the close of the district welcome, the Duke will proceed to receive the welcome of the native race, and at every stage, this ceremonial will follow those tendered to Royal visitors of the past. It is anticipated that an hour and a-half will be consumed in the presentation of hakas, pois, songs, and other forms of Maori ceremonial, and His Royal Highness will receive an address of welcome conveying the devotion of the natives to the throne and to the Ifoyal Family. It is expected that the Duke will pay a visit to Whakarewarewa this evening, when combined ball and concert will be held in the meeting-' house of the Maori village. To-morrow he will attend Divine servico at St. Faith’s Church, Ohinemutu, and during the afternoon will make a tour of the thermal attractions within easy reach of Rotorua. On Sunday evening he will resume possession of quarters on the Royal train, and will spend the night there, the departure of the train for Auckland being scheduled for Monday morning.