IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 10

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY

MAORIS AT NGARUAWAHIA LORD GALWAY IN HUGE WAR CANOE OPENING OF KING KUROKI'S HOUSE t Per Press Association.] HAMILTON. March 18. A unique ceremony which preceded the opening of the Maori King Koroki’s house at Ngaruawahia was a ceremonial welcome extended to Lord Galway when he was brought down the Waikato River in the huge war canoe specially constructed lor the New Zealand Centenary and manned by 38 warriors in native dress. At the junction of the Waipa and Waikato Rivers the party was met by a flotilla of live other canoes, which escorted the Governor to the special landing stage at the pa, where a stirring welcome was accorded him. Lord Galway later opened the house with a golden key inset with a piece of ancient greenstone. This was accompanied by speeches in Maori and English, made by native leaders and Government Ministers. Prior to this Lord Galway took the opportunity to present Princess Te Puea with the C.8.E., conferred on her by the King in the last birthday honours, for her wonderful work among the Maoris. The thousands of Maoris, many in traditional costume, made a colourful setting for the impressive ceremony, which was the most important in the Waikato for years. Maori Prophecy Fulfilled. With the opening of King Koroki s new home, Maori Royalty will again take up residence in Ngaruawahia, thus fulfilling the prophecy made 70 years ago when General Cameron drove the Maori king movement from Ngaruawahia. Tawhiao, the then king, stated that the day would come when Ngaruawahia would again become the point once more for the Maori King movement. To-day is the first time that the seat of royalty has been established at Ngaruawahia since those days, and the added enthusiasm shown by the Maoris for the King movement is exemplified in the new house. With the exception of the bricking and the electric light equipment, the whole of the work in the construction of the home was undertaken by Maori labour, without payment of any kind, while all of the materials were donated by various tribes throughout New Zealand or purchased by the Waikators. Much of the credit for the completion of the home goes to Princess Te Puea, who organised many touring concert parties to secure the money to purchase the required materials. The new house is designed to incorporate tj|e best features of Maori and pakeha architecture, and while some rooms are typically Maori, the house is tastefully furnished in European style. The carvings are the best examples of Maori art in the world and many are priceless and irreplacable. The exterior of the house is 72 feet lon gand 52 feet wide, and a feature from the artistic viewpoint is the pentagonal tower which rises from the far corner. Its five sides are ten feet high, while the domed roof adds another eight feet Windows adorn each side, and in each a Maori face is picked out in leadlighting, while every square inch of the rest is elaborately carved to give an imposing effect. Each tribe has a different characteristic when it comes to carving, and these are blended to reflect the unity of tribes. The feature of the main hall is a great flax mat covering the entire floor, the mat which took nearly a year to weave alone, being done by the girls at Ngaruawahia pa.