EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1505, 13 July 1905, Page 2

EAST COAST NEWS.

TOLAOO BAY, j ;(From Our Own Correspondent.) -I On Thursday evening lass, after the conI elusion of the Native Land Court a cereI mony of a unique character'took place in I Moore’s large woolshed, when Judge Jones I was presented with an address on - his reI tirement from the Presidency of the Tai I Rawhitx Maori Land Oounoil. Between | 200 and 300 Natives were present, as well j as a fair sprinkling of Europeans, and the | Natives evinced great enthusiasm in the | proceedings, which they managed in a j business like way. The address was grej sented by one of the leading men, and I bears the signatures of all the leading I chiefs. Several of the latter spoke, adding | their personal testimony to the respeetl I and 'esteem in which the late President j was held, A supplementary address from 1 Natives further down the Coast was also I read. Judge Jones thanked the Natives I for their expressions of goodwill. He I urged them to continue the good work bei gun and exhorted’ them to give the same I confidence to I so that the Maori lands at present annoj copied ‘might be. brought into profitable I oooupation, and be utilised for the benefit I of both Maoris and Europeans. The following are the eddresses :. Friend. Greeting.—Nows reached us on last Saturday that it was the intention of tho Maori people to meet together to express their love and regard for you. We [ also raise our voice in a lament of farewell. Wo are burdened with grief and cast in donbt because yon have resigned tbo presidency of tho Tai Bawhiti Maori Land Council. During your administration of the Maori people’s remnant of land, very many benefits havo come to both races. Now the only hope that remains to us is that your successor will, in his wisdom administer the affairs of the Council so that benefits will continue. _ Friend, farewell. Oh our sweet song bird, farewell. May He who directs tho destiny of the world protect you and your family. This is our love song to you :

“ Love liveth not on tho surface of the skin, - r - \ But exists deep rooted in the loving heart." e>

From the Committees of Ponswa, o f Puatae, of Whangara, and of Kaiti'

Im -^°k_ er * i Noble Jones, President of j Tai Rawhiti Maoiri Land Council : GreetI j?S s - your Maori people of U mi, of J-Okomaru, of Waipiro, and of Whangara, think it our duty to express in some way | our appreciation, and our lovs, and our reI gard for you because wo havo heard that I you havo resigned as President of the Council. We think it only right we should I express those words of love to veu person. ally before you leave this district. We, I your people of the Maori race, appreciate very much the able manner in which ycu have administered the affairs of the Council daring your term of office, resulting in great bonefits to the two races—Maori and European—you and wo being bound together in a bond of love "for one common purpose, to administer the remnant of tha Maori lauds on the Bast Coast to the best advantage. Now wo, your orphan children, aro bowed down with grief and sorrow because you are no longer In the Council to guiao and fooch, and to load as on tho righ* path. Wo sincerely hopo when yoar successor comes that ho will follow in your footsteps. Wishing you and your family long life ana happiness, and that He, {who watches over us from above, will over have us all in his keeping.” (Hero follows 34 signatures).