BIG NATIVE MEETING

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 70, 26 March 1901, Page 3

BIG NATIVE MEETING

ELOQUENT SPEECH BY PAEATENE NGATA.

[Special to Times.]

Auckland, last night. A large number of Maoris were present at Kennedy Bay to attend the opening of a Maori Church at that locality. Many of Auckland’s leading clergymen were present to see the meeting-house opened. When all had assembled, Mr Paratene

Ngata, of Gisborne district, read an address in "Maori, the following being the translation :—“ Friends and Gentlemen : • We heartily welcome you to celebrate the opening of this new church and also of pur meeting-house. We who arc chiefs assembled from several districts honor and welcome you, our brothers. Words cannot express our joy and thanks for your presence here to-day to aid in opening this place of worship, in which the AVord of God will bo preached to all, and by which peace and love will continue between our races in this colony. Our ' ]n,tp beloved Queen ever looked to the Almighty for guidance and help in governing her people in all parts of the world. Sho has set us a noble example. We wish to express our sorrow and regret at her departure from this life. Farewell, O great mother, beloved of thy subjects of all races. ■ Depart to thy long rest! We also wish to express our loyalty to her successor, King Edward VII., and obedience to his laws. We wish you long life. God save the King 1 ” The address, which was evidently appreciated by the visitors, was followed by a Maori song of lamentation for the late Queen. The church is estimated to cost .£260, of which A'2oo lias already been collected. The Gisborne natives, in fact natives from all along the East Coast, arc expected to reach Kennedy Bay in a day or , two, and will take part in the conference ■ on native affairs. The Gisborne natives ( are to be welcomed in the heartiness and ( sincerity which are so characteristic of the , Maori." They will be received with the , usual greetings, and a danco of welcome is ] to bo given. j ====== ]