HUI AT TIKITIKI

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19029, 1 June 1936, Page 4

HUI AT TIKITIKI

MAORI CEREMONIES , ;: CONFERENCE OF TRIBES REVIEW OF LEGISLATION (Special to tho Herald.) ’ • TIKITIKI,: this day. A ‘ decision to appeal to .the Prime Minister, .who is also Native Minister, for tlio ’ elimination of legislative differentiation between Maori and European citizens-of, New Zealand was the outcome of a lengthy discussion held during a tribal' conference at Tikitiki on Saturday, when - representatives of a number of North Island' tribes were present, and expressed tffeir conviction that a great opportunity l is- presented'to the new Government■to wipe out anomalies in the statutes under'which native' interest have suffered ■: almost- from the commencement of Parliamentary history in New Zealand. The conference was arranged ; in connection with the large Tikitiki h-u-i, which signalised'the opening of the new dining-hall pft the marae at Tikitiki, and also the unveiling of three memorials. The gathering was an impressive one, and, Sjr Apirapp, Ngata, member, for the Eastern Maori electorate,, took part in ’ the discussions of legislative anomalies. After a lengthy-sitting, the conference. carried. a motion'to the following effect That the- Prime Minister be asked do ,convene a- conference' of State departments’, representatives, with tho leaders of the Maori tribes of New Zealand, to review all , past legislation affecting native land problems, and to ascertain the causes of differentiation between pakelias . anef Maoris'; and to see how far legislation how:on .the Statute Book need bo amended to harmonise with present conditions.” > / A DAY OF CEREMONIAL Yesterday was- a day of ceremonial, there being three unveiling,services, and the whole day being spent- in some form of religions observation. by most of'those present at tho huh First there was the unveiling of the 'memorial tablets . oil vaults situated' cgi the rising ground overlooking the carved native church, the first vault being that of Rauhnia_ Icnhika Tawhiwhirangi, who died iff April, 1928, at the age of 55 years; and tho second being that of Rauhuia’s niece, Putiput-i Rangiriri Mahuika, whose death occurred in 1922, at the age of 20 years. Both the deceased are remembered as typical representatives of the middle and the younger generations of the Ngat-iporou tribe. Arawa and Tuhoe spokesmen took leading parts in the ceremonies in connection with these vaults '■ 1 ■" -• ’ The dedicatfou of the memorial arch at the carved church, to the memory of the late Lady Arilria.. Ngata, was sponsored by the representatives of the'deceased lady’s own' tribal people, from Wairoa. These speakers were led .by Mr. A. T. Carroll, who made an eloquent address upon the ties that bind' the Ngatiporou and Ngatikahungunu peoples.

The central feature of tlie hui was, o? course, the dedication of the new structure oil the Tikitiki marae, erected ‘by tho Ngatiporou to serve_ as '■ a centre of tribal activity and hospitality. This ceremony was of considerable interest, as-the leading part sin it, that of unveiling the dedication tablet, was taken by a Gisborne lady, Mrs. P. . Tureia. who by descent is closely linked 1 to the Ngatiporou people. ■ ; To-day the tribal delegations from the more distant points commenced their return journeys in- the early hours of the morning, having taken opportunity (o express their deep appreciation of the hospitality shown to them.