Mr Jack Barber, Maori and Island Affairs District Officer for Rotorua, one of the speakers at the ceremony Unveilings at Mokai by Hirone Wikiriwhi Close to 1,000 visitors and old residents of Mokai te Ure, the almost deserted terminal village of the Taupo Totara Timber Company railway mill line, gathered in nostalgic and happy mood for the unveiling of two tombstones to two elders of the Ngati Te Kohera sub-tribe of the famous Tuwharetoa tribe which inhabit the farm and timber lands surrounding Lake Taupo. The Queen of Waikato Te Atairangikaahu supported by Kahui-Ariki of the ancient King Movement of last century significance was present with her husband Mr Paki of Huntly. To it was also invited the District Officer of Maori and Island Affairs Department, Rotorua, Mr J. H. W. Barber and other officers of his Department. The Tuhourangis of Whakarewarewa and the Pikiaos of Mourea and Rotoiti were also among the distinguished guests. A former headmaster of the Mokai School with his family, Mr J. Clark, was there as was Mrs Iriaka Ratana, M.P., and many Pakeha friends. Father Haring was present to conduct the services at the two separate grave yards where the two chieftains had been interred. Nguha Huirama was 81 years old when he died in 1945, and in his youth he was a noted boxer and sportsman. The Osbornes are his descendants and many were present to act as hosts for the large crowd present. Turau te Tomo was buried at Rangiwharangi some distance from the Pakaketaiari marae where the celebrations were held. Turau was 70 years old and died in 1965. Near to this cemetery was the old Meeting House ‘Wairangi’, named after a distinguished warrior of the local tribesmen. It was Wairangi who stormed and conquered the pa of Aea in the Matamata County on the Waihou river about two hundred years ago. Both these men trace their lineage to the great Arawa and Tainui leaders of the past, and Wairangi is still remembered today by the war dance which he composed with his three brothers Upokoiti, Tamate Hura and Pipito on the occasion of the routing of te Aea pa in the Waikato countryside. This haka — ‘A ko te Aeia o rangi ko te aei orangi ee’ — is the piece de resistance of any Tuwharetoa haka festival, and only they can do justice to this classic war dance. Pakaketaiari is a famous marae. On it is a memorial to mark the brave lady who defied the British General in the Battle of Orakau about 1864, by standing on the besieged pa's ramparts to shout her defiant answer to his call for the women to surrender — ‘If our men die we shall die too — we will fight forever and ever’. She was named Ahumai Paerata and her grandson te Hoariri Paerata was present as host during these celebrations, and was the chief speaker. Another memorial for men of the village who died or were killed in World War II stands at the entrance. One lad I recall. Cpl A. Tohara, was killed by a shell splinter beside me at Minquar Quaim in 1942. We buried him there in the desert. Turau te Tomo. son of Taite te Tomo. a Member of the House of Representatives