THE NATIVES.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2663, 30 August 1871, Page 2

THE NATIVES.

The despatches to the Earl Kimberly of his Excellency the Governor, laid before Parliament, give an account of his tour last year, and of the reception he met with at the various places visited by him. One®

under date May 26, 1870, gives what he terms a “ bri -f but accurate summary of bis recent official visit to the great Maori Clans of the North—the Ngapuhis and the Ai-awas. We may leave out his historical notice* of these tribes, and content ourselvi s with obseiving that they are situated north of Auckland, that Sir George estimates their numbers at about 10,000 ; that the Europeans are about equal in number, though unequally distributed through the district, and that the natives arc on friendly terms with the European?. The relationship and political tendencies of the Native and European races is thus described ; A main cause of the friendly feelings existing between the natives and the colonists in the North is, doubtless, the fa;t that several of the leading settlers in early timer, gentlemen of character and education, married the daughters of Maori chiefs ; and that their children arc now regarded as adopted members of their motbi r’s tribe, and thus entitled to its respect and protection. Again, a powerful influence has been exercised by the families of some of the early missionaries, born in the northern districts, and intimately acquainted with the language and the custom's of the people among whom tlqey haye’livocj. from their childhood. The result of these combin'.ng influences is shown by the lan t guape of the address presented to me by tha English settlers, and by the speeches of the Maori chiefs. The settler* said “ May it please your Excellency—We, the European inhabitants ef the Waimate and its vicinity, beg to offer you a cordial welcome to our district. Most of,us are sons of the soil, few of whom have soon our fatherland ; but we assure your Excellency that we glory in being an integral part ef the British nation ; while in attachment to tho Throne and person of our gracious Sovereign, and in veneration for the British Constitution, we yield to none of Her Majesty’s subjects, “ Your Excellency will be pleased to leam that from opr earliest days we have always

lived with our follow-subjects bf the Maori race on terms of perfect amity. We gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity of hearing testimony to their loyalty to Her Majesty’s Government; and tve have every confidence that it will he maintained.” On the other hand, it will be seen that the speeches of the Maori chiefs of the Isortli were full of assurances of their devoted loyalty to the Queen ; of their affection foi their European neighborsand of thenobedience to the law. It is a significant fact tint the only two petitions which they made to me were: (I.) That towns should be founded in their districts, so that more Europeans might come to live among them, and trade with them ; and (2) that gaols should be built in the North, “ for the punishment of the evil doers of both races. The Hesident Magistrates find small difficulty in carrying out the law, in this part of the island, though they have no armed force at their disposal, and could do little without support of the Native chiefs. Mold Tawhai (the principal chief of Hokianga) welcomed me in the following terras on my arrival at his r i ver Welcome, 0 Governor! Behold your canoe now tioating in the waters of Hokianga, It is not noiv only that wc has e joined the Queen. Wo were devoted to her in former years, and still remain so. Welcome, 0 Governor ! and bring peace to us your children, that your laws may be a garment to spread over us, and that we may live under the shelter of your laws. The other chiefs everywhere spoke to the same effect; and their sentiments may be said to be summed up, by Tiopira in the following terms : —“ Welcome, 0, Governor .' in times of peace and quietness. I have only one word for you : Love, Love, Love. All avc Avant is peace and good-Avill .... There is nothing avc desire but that avc should he all as one with the Europeans and the Government. Salutation to you, 0 Governor!”