DEPARTING RANGITIRA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 9

DEPARTING RANGITIRA

FAREWELL TO DR. BUCK SAVAGES’ UNIQUE TRIBUTE SCIENTIST, LEGISLATOR AND HISTORIAN 'TtR. PETER BUCK, physician, scientist, legislator, historian, and—rangitira, was honoured in a memorable manner by hi* fellowAuckland Savages on Saturday night. A crowded ciubroom to witness Dr. Buck wear the tiki, his insignia of rank as past president, was a unique tribute to the man. When Dr. Buck rose to thank th* Rangitira, Mr. T. T. Garland, for u. gift of an album containing the photoi graphs of members of the executive of the club, he was received with cheers. Club-members likewise joined hands and sang “Auld Lang Syne” for Dr. and Mrs. Buck leave for Honolulu tomorrow by the Aor&ngi. There Te Rangihiroa, as the departing guest is known to natives throughout New Zealand, will take up the important post of Director of Polynesian Research at the Bishop Museum. “I am going away for five years, but it may be longer," Dr. Buck told the Savages in the course of a farewell address, which was undoubtedly one memorable in the history of gatherings notable in the club. In the picturesque language of his Maori people, Te Rangihiroa said how. at the end of his quest, he would set his prow in the direction of New Zealand, and, steering just a little to the right of the setting sun. like his ancestors of old, would return to Ills native land when the pohutukawa was in bloom. “But I will be in a different position from the native navigators of old who came to a strange land and had a savage people to contend with for it* possession,” he explained. "I know that friends will be there to meet my canoe and give me a welcome home.” DR. BUCK’S MISSION Commenting upon his mission. 3>r. Buck referred to the “gentleman’* agreement” which was arrived at at the Pan-Pacific conference in Australia in 1923. It was then agreed that research in Polynesia should be left to the United States and New Zealand. New Zealand for many good reasons was unable to do her part. Magnificent work had been rendered in the Dominion by such men as Air. Elsdon Best. But it was also entirely gratuitous and imbued by highly patriotic motives. Meanwhile, America was quite prepared to do her part. It was in accordance with the “agreement” that Dr. Buck had accepted the offer from the Bishop Museum. “I felt that New Zealand should avail herself of this off?r, and carry out the work to which she was pledged,” he said. “That was the motive that actuated me in accepting the offer." __ When he went to his people in Taranaki and was farewelled by the members of his tribe after the requisite ritual, he had been told: “Go. Go because we feel that the Maori people have been honoured through you!" It was, therefore, singularly appropriate, said Dr. Buck, that his last public appearance should be in conjunction with his other tribe the Auckland Savage Club. “I feel that although there may be a percentage of the goodwill expressed for me personally,” he remarked, “that your expression is really one of sympathy and good fellowship toward the Maori people—the people of my mother.” He had always regarded himself as a liason officer between the two people, said Dr. Buck, for in his veins he had the blood of them both. “And if I have been able to do anything to arrive at a better understanding between the British and Maori peoples.” he said, “then I have been amply repaid.” (Applause.) Savages throughout- the world, explained Rangitira Garland, took as a local setting for their clubs the native customs of the land of their adoption. In New Zealand savages had the unique distinction of modelling their club upon the symbols and traditions of one of the noblest of the brown peoples of the earth. “LOVE THAT PASSETH . . .” “Between you and us,” said the Rangitira, addressing Dr. Buck, "there is a tie that binds. You have a deep-rooted pride in your Maori relationship, yet you belong to us. Retaining your love and admiration for the high ideals of your honoured ancestors, you have, at the same time, assimilated the best that the European peoples had to offer. So that we possess in you that blend of aspiration and ideals, of which we are jointly proud, which is to our mutual honour as units of a great Empire." History told how Jonathan loved his brother David with a love that “passeth the love of women.” “I do not think I exaggerate when I say that in the deep and manly love we hold for Savage Buck we are ail Jonathans and he is our David!" (Applause.)