Opening of Uepohatu Memorial Hall. 1947-09-12

The opening of Uepohatu Memorial Hall at Ruatoria on 12 and 13 September 1947.

Part 1. 12 Sep 1947.
Excerpts from the powhiri and cultural competitions.
Whaikorero by several unidentified speakers, interspersed with speeches from Sir Apirana Ngata, master of ceremonies.
Various speakers acknowledge the powhiri given to them by Ngāti Porou, and pay tribute to the hard work that Apirana Ngata and his workers have done in getting the Uepohatu Memorial Hall completed.
Excerpts from the cultural competitions with performances by Hiruharama and Rangitukia Schools and Tikitiki High School.
Further speeches by members of parliament, Eruera Tirikatene and Tiaki (Jack) Ormond.

Part 2. 12 September 1947.
Begins with performances by Waimatatini, Tokomaru Bay and Waipiro Bay Schools and Manutahi High School.
The recording then moves to the reunion of ex-servicemen and women and a dinner held on the evening of 12 September. The Prime Minister Peter Fraser and Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland are present, and mentioned by several speakers.
After-dinner speeches and toasts are made. The first is by Lady Freyberg, who speaks in response to a toast that was proposed earlier [It is not on this recording. Her speech ends abruptly.]
An elderly, unidentified male speaker replies 'as an old soldier of the First World War' to Lady Freyberg's toast.
Sir Apirana Ngata, the master of ceremonies, introduces Captain Hēnare Ngata who replies on behalf of 'the servicemen of this war' [sic. World War II].
He introduces Captain Arnold Reedy, who makes a speech in praise of Governor General Sir Bernard Freyberg as the commander of the New Zealand forces.
Sir Apirana Ngata makes an announcement about the raising of a flag the following day.
An unidentified speaker calls on Major McCready, who makes a toast on behalf of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force and the R.S.A.
The recording ends with performances by the Hinerupe Haka Party and Hiruharama School.

Part 2(a). Reunion dinner held on 12 September 1947.
The National Anthem is sung, "God Save the King"
The Master of Ceremonies, [possibly Hanara Reedy or Arapeta Awatere?] welcomes everyone and introduces Waipaina Awarau to give the toast to absent comrades
Captain Waipaina Awarau speaks and proposes the toast to absent comrades.
The "Last Post" is played by Lieutenant Kaika, then followed by a waiata kinaki, "Arohaina Mai" by Te Hokowhitu party
Colonel James Leggatt speaks and proposes a toast to the Armed Services. He speaks of the work of Lady Freyberg and Colonel Dittmer.
The Hikurangi Party are introduced by the M.C. but the item is not on this recording.
[23:00 Lady Freyberg's speech begins mid-sentence]
Colonel George Dittmer speaks [to much applause] thanking Lady Freyberg and the other women who assisted them during the war. He acknowledges Sir Apirana Ngata's contributions towards the 28 Maori Battalion.
He mentions soldiers' concerns about the state of the army at present.
"For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" is sung at the end of Colonel Dittmer's speech.
The M.C. calls on Colonel R.F. Gambrill [?] to make the toast to the home front
Colonel Gambrill [?] speaks and proposes his toast to "The Home Front".
Waiata kinaki: "I ngā tau tata, i ngā tau roa"
Haka: "I te kokoma i te kokomako".
Prime Minister Peter Fraser speaks and thanks the previous speaker for his toast.
[from this point the recording overlaps with Part 2]
Unidentified male speaker [possibly Major McCready?] speaks as " an old soldier of the First World War"
Sir Apirana Ngata calls on Captain Hēnare Ngata to respond.
Captain Ngata thanks Major McCready for his remarks.
The M.C. announces the last toast to Their Excellencies Sir Bernard and Lady Freyberg, which will be proposed by Captain Arnold Reedy.

Part 3. 12 September 1947.
This recording begins with a performance by an unidentified group, at the reunion dinner held on the evening of 12 September 1947.
An unidentified male speaker [possibly Colonel Peta Awatere?] calls on Governor General Sir Bernard Freyberg to reply to the toast given by Captain Reedy.
He thanks Captain Reedy and pays tribute to those Māori ex-servicemen present.
He says the achievements and tactics of the New Zealand Division will in future be compared to the work of Craufurd's Light Division in the Peninsular, 100 years ago.
He mentions a letter from Brigadier Parkinson who says the British Tactical School has been studying the crossing of the Senio River in April 1945 by the New Zealand Division. He says plans for the crossing were to disguise the New Zealanders as British forces and recalls Colonel Awatere dressed as a "Tommy" and his men referring to him as "chum".
He praises the Māori soldiers' sense of humour and mentions an incident in Britain when he sent the Second Echelon for a 100-mile march.
He ends by thanking the hosts [Ngāti Porou] for their welcome.
After an announcement by Sir Apirana Ngata, the National Anthem is sung.
An item is performed by the Te Hokowhitu Concert Party.
An unidentified group lead by Sir Apirana Ngata performs several items. [According to the catalogue, these items were recorded at a rehearsal the previous evening, not during the dinner]
The recording ends with three items from the Taiporutu Club of Rotorua.

Part 4. Recorded at a concert on 12 September and 13 September 1947
Entertainment is provided by various unidentified cultural groups as well as the Taiporutu Club from Rotorua.
Ana Hato sings "Home Sweet home" in Maori and English.
[From 35:00 the recording appears to move to the following day, 13 September 1947.]
Sir Apirana Ngata makes several announcements organising proceedings and directing the crowd in preparation for the arrival of the Governor-General.

Part 5. Powhiri held on 13 September before the Investiture by the Governor-General.
The recording begins with karanga and announcements by Sir Apirana Ngata.
A speech is made by the Prime Minister Peter Fraser praising the service by Maori servicemen and the establishment of the hall. He also mentions Sir Peter Buck and extends sympathy to those bereaved by the war.
Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland speaks.
Performances follow by unidentified cultural groups, the Taiporutu Club of Rotorua, Manutahi, Tokomaru Bay and Waiomatatini Schools and Te Hokowhitu Concert Party

Part 6. This recording was made at the powhiri and investiture, held on 13 September.
The recording begins with an unidentified male Maori speaker welcoming the Governor-General [in English].
Sir Apirana Ngata calls on Tiaki Omana [Jack Ormond] the local Maori Member of Parliament, to speak.
Jack Ormond speaks welcoming the Governor-General and Lady Freyberg and other dignitaries. He mentions he is a returned soldier of World War I.
After a performance by a Te Arawa group, an unidentified male speaker talks in Maori with the speech translated into English. He welcomes Their Excellencies.
Sir Apirana Ngata calls on Te Kani Te Ua to speak.
Te Kani Te Ua speaks in Maori with some translation into English [wind noise and low levels make parts of the speech difficult to hear].
Several haka follow and announcements by Sir Apirana Ngata about dining arrangements. He then leads the haka "Ka mate".
Sir Bernard Freyberg speaks. He thanks the preceding Māori speakers. He says His Majesty the King told him to be sure to see as much as he could of the Māori people during his time in New Zealand.
He says there are many things he wants to say to the Māori people about the skill and courage of their men with whom he fought and lived for six years.
He mentions Colonel Peta Awatere, the Ngata brothers and Lieutenant Ngarimu. He ends by thanking the Ngati Porou people for their invitation and gifts given to him and his wife.

Part 7. This recording was made on 13 September at the investiture of members of the 28th Māori Battalion and various people for distinguished services rendered to their country and Empire during the World War II.
The recording begins with announcements by Sir Apirana Ngata organising the day's events.
The investiture begins with The Governor-General Sir Bernard Freyberg speaking [beginning is missing].
He presents the following awards [an unidentified man reads the commendations.]:
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [M.B.E.]: Mrs Hinehou Tureia, Mrs Merekaraka Waititi, Miss Isabella Banks.
Military Cross and Bar: Major John Sonny Baker; Lieutenant- Colonel Arapeta Awatere; Major Benjamin Goddard Christy; Captain Wi Reedy; Captain Ozzie Huata; Reverend Wi Te Tau Huata and Lieutenant Te Ruawhiro Tibble
Royal Red Cross: Nurse Jane Kiritapu Nepia
Distinguish Conduct Medal: Private Peter Mangi
Military Medal: Lieutenant Watene Pahau; Warrant Officer Te Kaponga Harawira; Lance Corporal Keith Oates and Private Tahere Te Tuhi
British Empire Medal: Flight Sergeant John Leonard Logan
British Empire Medal Civil Division: Mrs. Hera Tangaere and Mr. John Penfold
Posthumous Distinguished Conduct Medal Lance Sergeant Ngakeke Tukaki
Posthumous Military Medal Private Kura Edward
Posthumous Military Medal Private Morgan Potae
After the investiture, a Church service takes place lead by Bishop F.A. Bennett.
After several hymns and prayers, Sir Bernard Freyberg speaks again.
He refers to the formal opening of the Uepohatu Memorial Hall which is to take place after the service. He will unveil two tablets; one commemorating the donor of the land on which the hall stands and the other a roll of honour of 109 local men who died in the war.
The hymn 'Au E Ihu' is sung and the recording ends with prayers and benediction by Bishop Bennett.