Monowai’s Maori Emblems

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 February 1949, Page 4

Monowai’s Maori Emblems

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).— A few "tricky occasions" off the Normandy beaches when he wore a .Maori cloak presented to the ship by the Waikato Maoris were recalled b'y Captain G. B. Morgan, D. 5.0., D.S.C., master of the Monowai, in an interview when the vessel made her first voyage to Auckland since her conversion He added with satisfaction that the ship was not damaged. The cloak, together with an Bft. model of the Tainui canoe and a carved plaque was presented to the Monowai by Princess te Puca when the ship was commissioned as an armed merchant cruiser early in second world war in 1943. the Monowai was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport. to carry troops for the invasion of Europe and Captain Morgan, on taking command, suggested that the Maori emblems should be retained on the ship as she was still on war service. This was readiiy agreed to by the Maori donors, and for- three years the canoe was mounted across a window of the captain’s cabin. During this period the cloak made its appearance across the broad shoulders of Captain Morgan, somewhat to the amazement of the English gunners on duty on the bridge. Captain emphasises how he had appreciated the honour done to the ship by such a gift from the Maori?. He would have liked to return the tokens himself in a ceremony at Auckland, but when the Monowai was put in for relit at Sydney he'packed them up and shipped them across to the Dominion. They were taken to the Devonport Naval Base, being boused [or a while in the chapel of H.M.N.Z.S. Philomel. They are now in the library at the base.