THE DEPARTURE OF THE MAORIES.

Evening Star, Issue 2835, 20 March 1872, Page 2

THE DEPARTURE OF THE MAORIES.

During the passage of the s.s. Luna to Port Chalmers, his Honor the Superintendent was requested by the Honorable the Defence Minister to address a few parting words to the Maories. He complied, and the Honorable D. McLean acted as interpreter. The Superintendent said: My Maori friends, 1 congratulate you upon having again become free men. I trust you will, in future, conduct yourselves peaceably and o’derly, and that you will set a good example 0 your fellow countrymen in the North Island. You will be able to tell them that for every Maori in the North Island there are some five or six Europeans in the Middle Island, that these are increasing in numbers, in wea’th and in power every day, living together in peace and harmony, and all this chiefly because they obey the laws of the Queen. My friends, depend upon it, if the Maories desire to become rich, prosperous, and powerful like the Europeans, they must do as the Europeans do—that is to say they must respect and obey the Queen’s laws. I am glad to say that your conduct while here has been good, and I am sure you carry away with you the best wishes of the people here. 1 should have been glad had you sent for your wives and families and remained in the Province. We have here plenty land, plenty gold, and plenty hard work, all of which, I am sure, we should be willing to share with our Maori fellow subjects. Indeed, I had suggested to Mr McLean that the country around Lake Hawea would be well adapted for you : plenty fish, plenty bush, and good land for cultivation. Again hoping that you will, for the future, live peaceable and orderly lives, I wish you well. This is all I have to say. The chief Taurau replied that he agreed with all the Superintendent had said, and that it was the intention of himself and the others in future to be obedient to the laws of the Queen and to live in peace and harmony with the Europeans, He thanked the Superintendent for his good wishes, but expressed a doubt as to the proposed location at Lake Hawea, unless the quality of the soil was suitable. The Superintendent said that the soil was good, and would grow potatoes and wheat well. The Superintendent was then landed at his own residence amid the hearty cheers of the Maories.