MANY DIGNITARIES WILL BE AT FUNERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 July 1950, Page 6

MANY DIGNITARIES WILL BE AT FUNERAL

GISBORNE, Last Night (PA)—Tribal delegations from all parts of the Dominion have assembled at Waioma'tatini during the past three days for the Last rites for the late Sir Apirana Ngata, who will be laid to rest tomorrow (Friday) in the traditional burial grourid of his line. The funeral procession and burial have been tentatively fixed for 11 a.m.

A Parliamentary delegation headed by the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, will arrive in Gisborne by special train at 5 a.m. on Friday and leave by road for Waiomatatini. The party will include Messrs W. A. Bodkin, E B. Corbett, W. Sullivan and T. L. Macdonald, members of the cabinet, C. G. Harker, J. J Maher, S. I. Jones, T. Hayman and' J. R. Hanan, representing the Government benches, and Messrs P. Fraser, W. Nash, E. T. Tirikatene, H. G. R. Mason, A. E. Armstrong, T. P.' Paikea, R. Walls, and Mrs I. M. Ratana. representing the Opposition benches. The Australian Minister in New Zealand, Mr A. R Cutler, V.C., the Chief Judge of the’Maori Land Court (Mr D. G. B. Morrison) and his predecessor in office (Mr G. P. Shepherd), Dr. A. G Sutherland, Judge John Harvey and Judge H. Carr, will also attend.

Dignitaries of the Churches with whom Sir Apirana Ngata was associated in the preparation of tne new text of the Maori Bible will attend the ceremonies, and it is expected that the rites of the various denominations will contribute to the occasion.