AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 80, 12 April 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

A GISBORNE PONY.

(Special to Times.) Auckland, last night. Mr O. Clarke’s Gisborne pony, Ivan, was put up to auction this afternoon, Mr Scager Buckland, late of Gisborne, wielding the hammer. Thirty-three pounds was the best offer, so Mr Clarke decided to pass Ivan in. MR CARROLL. The Hon. James Carroll, Native Minister, arrived here from Gisborne by the s.s. Mourn to-day, on route to Rotorua, on business in connection with the reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York by the Maoris. Mr Carroll will inspect the sites suggested for the Maori encampment at Rotorua, and will confer with Captain G. Mair, Captain Turner, and other oilicials on his arrival at Rotorua. The proposal is to have a large camp in either the Rotorua racecourse, between the township and Whaltarewarewa, or on the Fukeroa rosorve, the hill overlooking the old township of Ohincmutu. Probably the racecourse will be chosen on account of its greater area. The Native gathering at Rotorua in June promises to be an exceedingly- large one. In addition to all the Arawa people, there are expected to bo largo parties of visitors present from the Ngaiterangi (Tauranga), Whakatokea (Opotiki), Ngatituwharetoa (Lake Taupo), Ngatiawa (Whakatane and vicinity), Whangauui, and East Coast tribes, an I also from theUrewera country. The Wanganui river people are expected to send up about 250 people, who will travel overland from Pipiriki, via Taupo. All these tribes will bring their old-time Native costumes and weapons, and the dances of welcome and halcas by the various bands of Natives gathered from all parts of the island to do honor to the King’s son will, no doubt, bo highly interesting to their Royal Highnesses.

NGATIPOROU, Tho loyal Ngatiporou tribe, of the East Cape, of whom tho late Major Ropata Wahawaha, M.L.C., was a distinguished member, aro anxious to be present at the Rotorua gathering, and a deputation of their chiefs is now on a visit to Auckland. They were to wait on Mr Carroll this afternoon, in reference to their steamer fares. It is not expected that the Waikato natives will be represented at the Rotorua gathering, as they prefer to welcome the Royal visitors in their own district. THE SOUTHERNERS.

It is said that the southern Maoris arc not satisfied with the proposal that they shall come to the North Island to greet the Duke and Duchess of Cornwell. They set up. tho etiquette invariably observed by their tribes in meeting illustrious personages or public men of importance, and they consider that the notabilities who come to visit them should be received by “ their own house,” a,nd on their own ground. Maoris who own this opinion are about 1000 in number, but it is probable the difficulty can be surmounted.OUT VISITING. One hundred and eight Ngatiporou natives belonging to Gisborne and the East Coast have returned to Auckland. They have been busily engaged during the past fortnight attending huis and taking part in many Maori ceremonies in the Auckland district. These Maoris are a very superior lot, and included in the number are some great Rangatiras. They all spoak in glowing terms of the treatment they have received at the hands of their Northern brethren. The majority of them are highly delighted with Auckland and its surroundings, whilst others are becoming liomc-sick, this being the first occasion some of them have been any distance from their homes. IN THE CITY.

The natives are to bo seen daily sitting on shop doorsteps in Queen-street, wherever the sun shines, with tall amokoura feathers attached to their hats, They evidently appear a curiosity to the average Aucklanders, who stare and gaze at them, especially when the natives are engaged in their korero.