COMING TO N.Z. OF THE MAORI

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXX, Issue 8497, 3 August 1933, Page 3

COMING TO N.Z. OF THE MAORI

UNVEILING OF THE TURI MEMORIAL

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY

By Telegraph—Press Association, PATEA, this day.

Some 20 00 people yesterday witnessed the unveiling of the Turi memorial in brilliant sunshine. The long procession wended its way from the domain, the Maori portion being most picturesque. The men were garbed in handsome flax and leather cloaks and mats and many girls were wearing garments made of karaka leaves. Poi dances and hakas were given by representatives of numerous tribes descended from Turi and the people of the Aotea-roa canoe, concluding with a magnificent Taiha display. At the ceremony before the great memorial brief speeches in Maori were given by leading Maori chiefs and by the chairman of the Native Trust Board, which was largely responsible for erecting the memorial. The unveiling ceremony was performed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. J. A. Young, who told in eloquent words the story of Turi’s immigration from the island of Raiatea, in the Pacific, to Patea.