WANGAKUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 241, 20 March 1865, Page 2

WANGAKUI.

ARRIVAL OF THE VICIORIOCS QUEEN'S NATIVES AT PUTIKI. ADVANCE OF THE GENERAL. PRESENTATION , OE A FLAG BY Mes COLONEL LOGAN. (From the Chronicle, March 1.) On Tuesday, the 281 h ultimo, about 150 of our natives retuvued, with Mawai at their head. Their canoes were decked with evergreens, and as they approached the town they gavenml. to their feelings of triumph in some of their chants, which have a pleasant effect on the listeners, although not very musical according to European ideas. The townspeople on shore replied by loud cheers. On reaching Putiki they marched in procession past lioani Wireinu’s grave, saluting it with a general volley. They then went to his house and fired another salute, and on approaching I lie liont of the house, which wai*fostooued with evergreens, commenced a grand “ tangi” before the sister and children cf Hoard, who were arranged ni the verandah. After litis was concluded speeches were made. It appears that Mawai left liihuharaine before the rest of our natives on account of his differing from them as to the way they should proceed after the taking of Ohoutahi. He thought thej’should keep all tlie chiefs as prisoners, and proceed at once to Tiptriki and take possession of it. llori fungi, his eider brother, with great mo deration, refused to take all the glory which would thus have been gained by his tribe, and thinking that he might lay the foundation of a firm peace without the degradation of the chiefs, was content with obtaining their promise to coma to town, lake the oath of allegiance, and give up for ever the king movement and the hau hau fanaticism. In proof of their sincerity and good faith they gave hostages. These were brought down to Aramoho on Wednesday, together with a quantity of arms, guns, patu, paroa, and grand mats Which were given up by the conquered tribes. On Thursday morning a sfill larger number of the friendly natives came down the river, and landed at Putiki, where they went through much the same ceremonial forms as the previous party had done. MEETING WITH THE HON. MB MANTELL. Yesterday an assemblage took place at Putiki to receive the hon. Mr Mantell and to deliver to him the arms, &c., that had been given up by the rebels as pledges that they were no longer at war and that they desired peace. A large quantity of food had been provided, consisting of potatoes in kits, fresh eels, newly slaughtered fat pigs, and dried dog fish, which were laid on the ground in two long row’s near the place of meeting. A largo assemblage of Europeans witnessed the proceedings, among whom were observed Lieut.-Col. Logan, Lieut.-Col. Dwyer, Major Durie, Rev. R. Taylor, H. Churton, Esq., T. Harper, Esq., W. H. Watt, Esq., and others of the magistrates. Captain Noake, Lieut. White, A.D.C., &c. A considerable number,of ladies also testified by their presence to the interest they feel in the doings of our brave allies. A little after eleven o’clock the hon. A 3 r Mantell arrived, and accompanied by Col. Logan, Lieutenant 11. White, H. Churton, Esq , Mr Booth, and Mr Fulloon, the interpreter, walked along a line of about 150 natives armed with their guns and arranged two deep, that had been drawn up to honor the arrival ot the Government’s representative on the occasion. These gentlemen and others then took up their position to the left of the line, when tiie na’ives composing it fired a feu, de Joie, marched to the right for some distance, atfd then wheeling round came up at a little faster pace titan “double quick” to a British flag placed near 'Mr Mantell, before which they crouched down. Then arranging themselves five or six deep they went through.

,a short war dance. On thd conclusion of this ceremony a circle was formed in front of Mr Mantell, and several chiefs made speeches of congratulation on the occasion. Among them were Uokari, Te Whaka of Pukieka, Paora, Hahnona (the principal war-ehief), Araina, Ma'liu of Korinifi, Aparaniko of Karatia, ilori Kini, Mete Kingi, Kemp, &c. t &c. Some of them expressed a desire that the Governor should come, and others that they should be allowed to go to Waitafori. Mete Kingi thanked the magistrates ion, having sent up powder, and said that White had done wrong in not sending it. Several guns, pattis pararoa, mere mere and kaiteki (mats) were laid down before Mr Mantell as pledges of peace received from Pehi and his followers. MrChurton laid down a native spear, crying out in Maori—this is for Mr Mantell ; this is for the Queen. Kemp enumerated the loyal pas and tribes up the river, and then the pas and redoubts of the rebels that had been taken. He gave in Pehi’s gun and whalebone mere, whose name was “ Raa kei te Kura : Hori Putene’s son’s kaitaka; another ■chief’s tomahawk named “ Pouaka Tupua;” Tamati Waka’s (brother to Pehi) tomahawk ; a wooden patu that had belonged to Hemi Tikoku, a Waikato native, adding—those are all the Queen’s. A chief's spear was handed in that had been used at Mouto and again at Ohoutahi—its name was Ipuwereware ; and Hnromona’s dogskin mat was the last trophy laid down. Mr Mantell then asked what the terms were that had been made with the natives. Hori Kingi was about to reply, when Kemp preferred to do so ; and said that when the white flag came out the firing ceased. The enemy ran out of some of the pas and were driven out of others. Had those in the large pa not surrendered Ohoutahi would have been like Moutoa. They had a conference ; and Topine wrote asking them to go to Piperiki, where the fight had begun, to confer about terms. They went and had a conference on Monday, which lasted during that night. That conference ended in peace. Mete Kingi said that Pehi having been conquered was willing to submit and take the oath of allegiance. To this they had agreed, and it was for Mr Idantell to confirm tire peace which they had made. A number of the natives then san» out in chorus, “ Answer me, answer me.” Mr Mantell said that, as far as lie was concerned, he approved of what had been done ; but as the Governor was at Wellington he had written asking him to come up and say what was to ho done with Pehi ; they had made pence, and it was for them, if they wished it, to recommend to the Governor that Pehi and his followers should be pardoned. He highly approved of their bravery, and congratulated them on the success they had achieved. A general shaking of hands then took place and the meeting broke up. PRESENTATION OP TEL FLAG BV JlliS. LOO AX. This afternoon the Maoris came up to the Market Place in order to have presented to them the flag which the ladies of Wanganui, at the suggestion of Mrs. Logan, resolved to present to them in honor of their bravery at the battle of Moutoa -■Tito Maoris, of whom about. 300 were men armed with muskets, while there were about itil others, landed at the breakwater above the- Market Place, and being marshalled there, marched down in a dense column to an open space left for them in the middle of the Place, where had already assembled a large number of spectators. A detachmentof the 57th Regiment was drawn up on the high ground on the left of the court-house, beside whom stood Mrs. Logan and the other fair donors of tin* flag, while to the right and left stood the, other spectators in a dense liim, which stretched all roupd the Place, the ground in the centre appropriated to the Maoris being kept by a party of the IStli Roval Irish. In this open space the Maoris seated themselves in two rows, and after a short interval went through a modi fled war-dance. The chiefs, to the number of about thirty, then came forward to the neighbourhood of the flag. Near it we observed the lion. Mr, Mantell, Brigadier-General Lieut. Coloi el Logan Lieutenant-Colonel Dwyer (who commanded the troops on the ground), Majors Matthews, Rookes, and Durie, Rev. Messrs. Taylor and Nieholls, H. Churton, and 11. Ross, Esqrs., &c. Mete Kingi stood forward, and Mrs. Logan addressed him and the other chiefs in the following words, Mr. Boot!) interpreting:—

Chiefs and Jfo of Wanganui. —When the Queen’s soldiers have behaved with great bravery she presents I hem with colors, as a sign of her approbation, and also that in future battles they may feel that she is present with them when they look upon her flag. When the brave chiefs and tnon of Wanganui fought at Montoa, to save the lives of European women and children from the hands of fanatics, who were maddened by the teachings of a false prophet. We, the ladies of Wanganui, Rangitiki, and Manawatu, determined to give them this flag as a proof of our admiration nf their noble conduct in our case, also in menory of those who were killed in that battle. Since then they have fought again for us at (Jhoutahi, and a brave chief has fallen, over whose body We were proud to see our flag wave for the first time ; and we believe that, coining from his grave, it will be to you, Maori chiefs, doubly sacred ; and you will hand down to your children’s children the flag of our Queen, which was laid over the body of John Williams. God Save the Queen. The troops presented 'arms ; and the fine band of the 18th played “ God save the Queen and Pakeha and Maori showed their loyalty by three loud cheers. Mete Jvingi and the other chiefs inarched slowly round the open space with the flag. This terminated the proceedings, with the eiceptio” of the feast provided-for the Maoris, there being £3O worth of currant loaves, buns, and cakes, and ginger and malt beer bought for the occasion by the inhabitants ; and yet there was not enough. The flag is a very beautiful one made of white silk with the union jack in the upper corner, and in the middle a gilt crown, below which is a device of two hands claspde (pakeha and niaori), and underneath the word Moutoa in a semicircle, from each end of which springs a wreath of laurel leaves. It is Intended now to inscribe the words

Ohoutahi and Wanganui on either side of the crown. The sum of £33 was subscribed by the ladies of this neighborhood for the widows and orphans and for the flag. - The materials f° r •hc flag cost above £3O, leaving the remainder i* or Hie other object. The subscribers are greatly indebted to Mrs Logan, who not only suggested and superintended the whole, but devoted five month 3 of her spare time to the needlework of the flag.

Government's Approval op tee Magistrates’ Sending tub Natives Powder.— Major Durie has received the following letter:—•‘AttirneyGdneral Office, Wellington, 28th February, '1865. Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 18th February, and I am directed to inform you in reply, that the Government consider (hat you and the other Magistrates acted with judgment and propriety under the circumstances narrated by you. I have, &e., For the Assistant Law Officer, ,1. Fountain.”