GREAT DAY FOR THE MAORIS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1930, Page 9

GREAT DAY FOR THE MAORIS

MATCH AGAINST BRITISH TEAM. CAMP AT BASIN RESERVE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. There may be test matches and provincial representative matches of prime importance against the British footballers, but to the Maoris to-morrows match is the biggest of them all-8O important as to warrant one of the most representative gatherings of tne Maori people that has ever taken place in Wellington —and that is the reason, for the unusual activity about the Basin Reserve pavilion this afternoon. Thei’e are to-day about 300 Maoris from all parts of the North Island camped at the Basin. Every one of the more important tribes is represented, and the northern Maoris propose to express again the warmth of their welcome at a° later stage of the tour. The first contingents arrived yesterday, but the main body did not arrive until about two o’clock- this morning by a night train. They were met and addressed by Sir Apirana Ngata, ister of Native Affairs, and other officials of the Maori Advisory Board, which is in charge of the arrangements for their stay in Wellington, and a further address was given by the Minister this morning about breakfast time.. Though the Basin Reserve pavilion may not be regarded as an ideal camp it is not nearly so uncomfortable as might be thought, for there are facilities in the way of sleeping room, hot and cold water, cooking and so on m several large rooms in the building. The whole camp is under the leadership oi Kingi Tahiwi, secretary of the Maori Advisory Board, but each tribe has its leader for the purposes of camp organisation and for to-morrow’s big demonstration. To-day the chief activities were at meal times, demonstration rehearsals and rehearsals for the great Maori entertainment to be given in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. It is about 25 years since an entertainment of the kind arranged has been o-iven in Wellington, and it should prove a great attraction. The proceeds will «o° towards meeting the cost of the gathering and the "‘boarding” of the Maori guests in Wellington.