MEMORIAL TO THE LATE SIR PETER BUCK

Te Ao Hou, Winter 1954, Page 30

MEMORIAL TO THE LATE SIR PETER BUCK The memorial to the late Sir Peter Buck (Te Rangihiroa) at Okoki Pa near Urenui, Taranaki, will be unveiled about the end of July. The ashes will be ceremonially conveyed from Wellington to Taranaki. In keeping with Maori custom, calls are likely to be made en route at Otaki and at Putiki, Wanganui. In commenting on the memorial itself, the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. E. B. Corbett, stated that it was as striking and original in its conception as was the career of the man whose memory it perpetuates. It is composed of three elements—a vault to contain the ashes, a platform joining the vault and the memorial feature, and the memorial feature itself, the main axis of which points to the northwest, in the direction of the sea and ‘Te Rerenga Wairua’, the traditional departing place of the spirits. Deriving its inspiration from the canoe prow, and symbolising the forward vision of Sir Peter and of the race from which he sprang, the memorial feature cantilevers forward to a height of about 45 feet above the fround and about 20 feet above the level of the raised hill fortification upon which the memorial will rest. It is the site of an old fighting pa, with level ground behind, and overlooks land falling steeply to the Mangatiti stream. The hill is covered in native bush. The memorial feature is pierced by an elongated opening, the design of which is derived from Maori carving. A memorial plaque will be placed on the forward slopes of the hill feature directly beneath the memorial. The structure is being built of reinforced concrete, faced with coloured plaster. In the use of colours, reliance has been placed to a considerable extent on the colours used in traditional Maori decoration. The rib supporting the memorial feature will be white, the enclosed panel terracotta and the platform and vault a slate grey. Against the background of bush, the white and terracotta colours should make a striking display and should be clearly visible from the main New Plymouth-Auckland road, which runs at right angles to the axis of the memorial, one third of a mile away. The celebrations will take place at Waitara and Urenui. The estimated cost of the memorial is £2,200 and by the end of May approximately £1,860 in promises and cash had been contributed by the Maori people as the result of an appeal made last year. It would be to the credit of the Maori people if the whole of ‘the £2,200 was met before the memorial is actually unveiled. All contributions should be sent to the Maori Trustee, Wellington, who is acting as banker. It is hoped to discuss at this hui, the creation of an educational fund to honour the memories of both Sir Peter Buck and Sir Apirana Ngata. Prayers are read at the unveiling of the Sir Peter Buck Memorial Cairn at Urenui Domain last August. (Crago Studios Photograph.)

MEMORIAL TO SIR PETER BUCK