ship of war. ‘It is such an ancient tiki, worn smooth by generations of the female ancestors of the Queen, that I feel this tiki belongs back in the line of women who produced many of the people I learned to love and admire.’ Elders at the ceremony welcoming the Ambassador and Mrs Henning spoke of the people's joy over the return of the tiki. Mr Paraire Herewini said, ‘It is quite wonderful that the thought did finally occur to the recipient to return the tiki, without any knowledge of the traditions of our race.’ Before these welcoming speeches, the tiki, placed on a feather cloak, had been carried to Mahinarangi's verandah by Mrs Henning. A combined church service followed, then the welcome, and gifts were presented to the visitors. Mr Henning then greeted the people, saying that he was honoured to be the one to return the tiki. He said he was pleased to have been present at the ecumenical service and felt that religion should be the means of uniting and not dividing the children of God. He continued, ‘If we would look to the continuation of the Maori tradition and culture, we must look to the spiritual values. This is a tradition which materialistic man may never understand. It is this spiritual tradition which has fostered your relations with the Pakeha. ‘The Maori people have always believed that there is a divinity to man. This gives his life a dignity and purpose. In Genesis we read that man was made in the image of God. If this be so, he is worthy of the best civilisation possible. ‘You believe that man is endowed by his creator with certain inalienable rights, and in this we feel at one with you. May, the people of New Zealand and the people of America always acknowledge this.’ Mr Henning then picked up the tiki, spoke to it of its long history, its journey overseas, its presence at the historic signing of the surrender treaty at Tokyo Bay, and said as he gave it to Queen Te Atairangikaahu, ‘I now return you to your people and your home.’ It was an emotion-filled moment. The Ambassador then gave the Queen a new American flag. The cultural competitions followed, and later, the visitors were entertained at luncheon in Turongo. Many other visitors arrived during the afternoon and were presented to the Ambassador, among them four young Maori women chosen to attend courses at the East-West Centre at Hawaii. Another, shorter, ceremony on that final day was the presentation to Dr Denis Rogers, Waikato University, of a carved pouwhenua, to be used as the University's mace. The coronation service three days earlier was also of great interest. Again, representatives of many churches took part, and the sermon was preached by Dr Sione Havea, of Tonga, who was in New Zealand speaking at Maori Bible Centenary services up and down the country. He took as his text Esther 4 v 14 … “and who knows whether thou cometh to the kingdom for such a time as this?” This was an appeal to Queen Esther from her uncle to save her people from destruction. It took courage on the part of the Queen to see what could be done. She was challenged, and she did the right thing—she turned to God for help. She tackled the problem by uprooting the roots of hatred, and integrated the people with a rededication to God. Dr Havea said, ‘In our lifetime we have seen many kingdoms fall and thrones dis- Dr Sione Havea presents the Tongan Biblc.