GREAT MAORI GATHERING

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 50, 28 February 1913, Page 7

GREAT MAORI GATHERING

i PKHPAIIATJOXS AT GISBORNE. I r i’ho Gisborne Times publishes an interesting article descriptive of the | preparations now being made for a large and significant Maori gathering that is to take place at Manutuke early next month. The Times speaks of the “great hui” as the gathering together of the Maori peoples of New Zealand, family by family, tribe by tribe, to the greatest and grandest korero ever held, or even likely to he held, in the history of the people. The great marao containing some 16 acres is already dotted with handsome meeting houses and kitchens and tents, where shortly between 2000 and 3000 Maoris will come together from the four winds. In the centre stands the vast L-shaped dining hall, fitted with tables and seating accommodation for 960 diners at a time. Further back on the marao are the vast kitchens, the gauze meat house, the raupo potato house, and tho grocery store, all designed with a view to the expeditious feeding of some 3000 guests, while the foreground is occupied by the meeting houses. The principal reason for tho hui—or perhaps one should say the initial reason—is the opening of the church, which is to take place on March 9. As is fairly well known, the original church, the rich carvings of which were regarded as tho best examples of the Native art in the dominion, was destroyed by fire some four years ago, and some idea of the significance which tho opening of the new church possesses in the Native mind may he gained from the following “reasons” for tho hui, which were advanced to a Times reported bv a well-known Maori;—

(1) Tbo new church is regarded as the spirit of the last church, which was a. historical building, possessing great niana. (2) The last church was carved by the greatest carvers of the Maori race and their descendants still alive, and it is their desire to restore in some measure the spirit of the work of their ancestors that they invited carvers from Rotorua to execute the carving in the new building. (3) I'ho old church was regarded as the best Maori church in Xew Zealand, and was spared by To Kooti in his march of devastation through the district on account of its historic associations. The loss of the old church 1 was regarded as a national one; the Xgatiporos from as far north as the hast Capo shed tears; the Xgatikahungunu between Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa mourned its loss, and sympathy was expressed by the Xgatituwheretoas 'of Taupo, by the Arawas of Rotorua, by the Waikato people, and by the Taranaki people. In fact, a, thrill of pain passed through the Maori race, and it will be readily understood that they at once responded to the invitations of the Gisborne people to come -and rejoice with them.

The interior ot the new cnurcli is heavily decorated with carving exeaited hy tho best present day irast?rs of the art. There are about 38 huge carved slabs or panels on tho iides and at the end of tho church, while a carved frieze is neatly executed, and the communion table, communion rail, tho lectern, and prayer desk ;we also richly carved, although in the old church they were plain. Judged by the standard of perfection attained by tho work of the old tcarvers in tho destroyed church, the new carving is frankly disappointing, but taking the slabs without reference to the work which has disappeared, the general effect is quite pleasing. An attempt was made to imitate the conceptions, tho patterns, and the execution of the old panels, but To Tula, the head carver from Rotorua, confesses that lie lias failed. He states that he had never seen such beautiful and intricate carving as that which decorated the old church, ' and he and his men found it quite impossible to imitate it. Nevertheless, as mentioned before, the carvings arc of high artistic merit and will be preserved as the best sample of work of tho modern Maori artist. Very complete arrangements are being made for tho housing of the numerous guests, who will mostly sleep in tents or marquees to be pitched on sections all round tho marao pegged out for tho purpose. in the matter of cooking for the host of people who will he present a novel idea, will he introduced in the shape of traction and portable engines, the steam from which will bo utilised to cook the viands. Tho expenses of the hui (some £2000) will be met by voluntary subscriptions and by the proneeds of the Native entertainments which has recently been held in the district. The principal object aimed at is the bringing together of the Maori peoples as never before, the discussing of their common interests, and the welding faster of a noble nation in bonds which have never before been observed, and there can bo little doubt that the gathering will he fruitful of much good in this direction. In addition, matters affecting the welfare of the Maori people will lie discussed, including social matters, political matters, and ecclesiastical matters, while an important feature will ho tin* invent.gation of tho various traditions concerning the different large canoe . Am attempt will he made to obtain fro..: the various authorities the best possible information about each canoe no that a reliable story of the cor. iag to Aotea Ron of the Maori anccworc may bo pieced together. Another imnor 1,ant subject which will be disci!-Red .ill bo the genealogy of the varm.: t tribes of New Zealand. Tlitir common descent will be traced by the host masters on tho subject 10 where they diverge, and then again down-to where they often converge. Sc will the rami-

llcations of the various ancestral stock be traced. Sir .lames and Lady. Carroll have evinced great interest in the hui, and it is reported that they intend shortly Retake up their camp in the centre of tho marao. The hui, which will bo officially commenced on March 5, will probably last a week.