THE LANDING

Te Ao Hou, Royal Tour 1953, Page 13

THE LANDING ‘We are all standing in suspense when suddenly the boom of the Galatea's gun is heard. It is the salute for the Duke, who is about to leave the Royal vessel. All is now expectation. The Maori band who face the edge of the wharf begin to move their arms and limbs, the rest of us press forward to get good places. Nearer and nearer comes the sailor Prince. The excitement of the Maoris becomes uncontrollable. They gesticulate, they dance, they throw their weapons wildly in the air, while they yell like fiends let loose. But all this fierce yelling is of the most friendly character. They are bidding the Duke welcome. “Haere mail Haere mail” they yell and the boat's crew seem profoundly puzzled to know what on earth they mean.’ On the night of the Prince's arrival there was a grand civic ball in his honour. All Wellington's notables were present: the number of dancers was such that there was no hall in Wellington large enough to accommodate them. The halls of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives were therefore appropriated for the purpose. It is interesting to see how the Maori chiefs joined with the pakeha in entertaining the Duke of Edinburgh

at this ball. The Wellington Independent has this to say: ‘The speech for the Maoris at this ball was delivered by Wi Tako. Many leading chiefs and their wives attended and it is due to them to say that they behaved with the utmost propriety — some of them joining in the dances in a way which would not have disgraced any ballroom in the world. Wi Tako's wife had her little baby with her, and although it was only a few months old, it behaved admirably and never caused the least annoyance.’ Te Rangihiwinui, known as Major Kemp.