BANQUET TO THE NATIVE MINISTER AND REWI.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 230, 6 December 1878, Page 7

BANQUET TO THE NATIVE MINISTER AND REWI.

(Daily Times.)

The- banquet given by the "settlers 6$ Taranaki in honor of the Native. Minister ancl Jtewi . Maniopbtoj - took place oh •bnday, in Courtney's buildings New .Plymouth, There were between thirty and forty of the • leading ' ' settlers present, besides the Minister and his becretary, Rewi, the Hon. Hone Nahk Major Kemp, Te Whefere, Epahi, and Ot i ci Sr of with Mr btandish was in the chair. Nahe i Epiha, and Te Whetere oh his right, and he was supported on the left by Messrs* Camugton and Kelly (M.H.R.)./ M* Gledhill, J.p. } an d Mr Baileyman. The yice-chair was jQUed by the ' Chairman df the County Council, Colonel Trimbek supported by Judge Kenny, Dr Carrolland Mr Thomas Bayley. The Moka^ settlers wore also present. After an excellent spread, provided by Mr Cottier, of the Masonic Hotel, had been discussed, Thct)hairman proposed, " The Queen," and His Excellency the Governor " c^c.^ lyj M -H.8., proposed the health of " Sir George Gi-ey." The Hon. E. Honi Nahe replied on.W half of the Premier.

The Chairman then proposed the health of The Native Minister," and alluded to ■Ins visit as cementing the friendship be*twwn the aoyerament and. BavL TM presence of the great chief m tho town, he said, spoke volumes, -as the step would tend much to advance the opening of the country, as the construction, of the Waikato Railway, and the holding of 'Land Courts had been arranged. He tendered the thanks of the citizens of N«w Plymouth and the settlers of Taranaki to Mr Sheehan.

. The .Native Minister, in responding^ said he scarce knew how to acknowledge the kind reception and compliment ; pai& to -him. He was glad the gatheriag wa& not political, as he had come oil *i great public duty., and the future would tericl to show the benefits. of his visit. Rewi some months ago came to meet Sir George Gray and himself at Waitara, and now lie was present as our friend. Eewi fouglrt nobly against us, but was never known to do a single bad action. He could now speak with confidence of his allegiance, and he was doing Ms best to lead his people oh the 'same good way. To «now that Rewi was in earnest^ not a year he expressed his willingness to go Home and ; bow Ins ■allegiance to . Her .Most Gracious Majesty. A great future was in store for Taranaki, for tire .laird was decidedly better than most . places in the Colony. He considered the Government Blioulcl do all in their power to assist the Natives, to settle population on their lahd> and he would see sufficient reserves were made for a railway to Waikato. .He felt satisfied of the support of Rewi and the other chiefs in this, and he believed the railway would be completed before tho New Plymouth harbour. Although he desired progress and lioxJed \o see the harbour as well. He intended with Rewi to take a flying sui'voy of the f or tho' line. He knew what the sei/Llors of Taranaki had gone through for tho benefit of New Zealand, but now, he believed their troubles had gone for ever, Colonel Trimbell proposed the health of Rewi in eulogistic terms, referring at •length to his bravery and noble actions. Rewi, in responding, said : I belong to the island- you are a people from over tho sea. We arc of different races. On your first arrival we were of two colours. Tho ministers taught us one language. After that war arose, and the races kept divided for the reason of thejland qiiestion, Today wo are joined" again for all future. " He hoped the European would now help tho Maori and the Maori help the European, as all tho troubles were finished," and ho ended by saying, "may you all live long and do good." Mi' Carrington, M.H.R., proposed, "The Visitors," including Hoani Naho, Major Kemp, Taonui, To Whifci, and Ephia. He was "now satisfied that both races would forrit into one people, Major Kemp responded, saying it waß the custom of all civilized people to welcome each other in such a manner. He thanked those present on behalf of all the absent people of tho island. Tho great event was tho arrival of Rewi amongst the Europeans) anfl they had now eaten together. Everything was now finally settled. They had been bo many years divided, and he was happy now to respond to the invita.tion coming from the Europeans. We were now scon working • in tho sanin yoke.

Tjiraata, of Parehika, said he was glad of this day. Te Whiti had given good advice. This day was the work of Grey, Sheehan } and Manga.

Te Wotero, of Mokau, said all things were peaceable. I now see that Sheehan and Manga are working out the destiny of this country. / . .

Ephia, of Mokau, said: Rewi and Sheehan have met again, and are now joined together. I am. glad to see it. I hope the good of the country may be left to them." The Maoris have left everything to Manga, and the Europeans must leave everything to Shoehah. r We ■mtisfcl'nojb deviate from the course .that is laid down. Mr Sheehan, in proposing the Chairman " and Vice-Ohairman, said the people must not expect too much all at once, as people accustomed to Natives would understand, but he could assure them the foundation was permanently establishedi He did not claim, all the credit— (A -"Voice : You have done it principally)" —^ 'the late Sir Donald M'Lean had worked hard before him. He wasproud;6f having; secured the confidence and friendship of Rewi, and. among other , tokens', of confidence ho miglit thention that Rewi Had visited the public iiiatitutions.witli him, and amongst them; the/ New; Plymouth Gaol-, a thing that! a short time ago* ; he ; would f n<pk ' have r '',-.. dreamtof.^ -_Tt ; perKapsl3e;rdy dyity ,^-r to^''appoiht^iumtasl^isitingf another Ji th ! i^;: > affectmgl& New PlymoutHffiewraigK%me^ emihent^firm?of^hoMs^^ifi^}{pa^&^:y 'tOiis :, of^Tamnakl'v^o^^ ;^-sW^^^^^& ;^|^pKpp:an^<^nipp^^K : lia^ngi^r^spon.de^ : ; ;gathorin^'^teiTOmaj^^ff.S;:i^ i bjancl ; played '°'vm^uli' :^usesnj^ii^^ll^^^ 5 -ivinding tip wfth" Th%C&(tu|nnf j^JS