SOUTHERN MAORI

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21047, 26 February 1940, Page 9

SOUTHERN MAORI

TREATY OF WAITANGI im? * ;*>. OTAKOU CENTENNIAL CHURCH AND MEETING HOUSE (By TelesrrapH.—Press Association) DUNEDIN, Sunday Blue skies over the blue waters of Otago Harbour and warm sunshine tempered by a gentle breeze made conditions ideal yesterday afternoon for the celebration of the Otakou Maori Centennial, which centred the laying of foundation-stones of a new churcn and meeting house at the Kaik, dedicated to the pioneer missionary the Rev. James Watkin and tc Maori chiefs of the southern district who signed the Treaty of Waitangi on behalf of their peoples. Maori customs and oratory figured largely in the ceremonies, which were closely followed by many hundreds of people. Organised by the Methodist Church in conjunction with the Otakou Maoris, the ceremonies attracted wide public interest. The grounds of the almost century-old church at Otakou provided a perfect setting for historic speeches and impressive Maori ritual. The president of the Methodist Centennial Conference, the Rev. L. B. Neale, presided. Official Visitors The interest of the spectators was thoroughly aroused when from behind the church a party of Maori men and women in picturesque native dress, led by Mr E. T. Tirikatene, M.P. for Southern Maori, advanced to meet the official visitors, who included Mr Neale, the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr A. H. Allen, the chairman of the Otago Harbour Board, Mr W. Begg, Mr P. Neilson, M.P., the presi-dent-general of the Methodist Church in Australia and New Zealand, the Rev. Professor A. E. Albiston, the Rev. T. A. Pybus and two Maori Methodist ministers, the Rev. Eruera Te Tuhi and the Rev. Matarae Tauroa.

Wreaths were laid at the graves of four chiefs, three of the south and one northerner, who signed the treaty in June, 1840. Foundation-stones were placed in position, the Waitangi stone by Mi Taiaroa and Mr Karetai as representatives of the Maori people, and the mission stone by Miss W. Watkin, of Melbourne, grand-daughter of the Rev. James Watkin, and by Mr Neale, as president of the Methodist conference. The mission stone commemorates the arival of Mr Watkin at Waikouaiti on May 10, 1840, and his establishment of the first Christian mission in this part of New Zealand, while on the Waitangi stone are inscribed the names of the chiefs who signed the treaty.