E PUNTS FESTIVAL AT PITONE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 617, 6 October 1858, Page 2

E PUNTS FESTIVAL AT PITONE.

Yesterday the Chief E Puni received a large number of his friends, both native and European, at his new house near Pitone Pah. A booth, IGO feet long, was built adjoining the house; and two tables running along its whole length were completely thronged with guests closely packed. The table was covered with white cloths, and the food was served in plates, with knives and forks, in the European style. After the meat and vegetables, plum-pudding was abundantly distributed. A select party of guests, consisting chiefly of the captain and. cabin passengers of the Oliver Lang, were entertained in the house itself, where the table was covered, and the walls hung- with Kaitaka mats of the finest description. The room was furnished with sofa, chairs and table; the windows are hung with lace-work curtains; an excellent portrait of the Chief, by Mr. Barraud, of Wellington, and an American clock ornamented the walls : the wine was in decanters, the candlesticks ornamented with paper frills, alternating with bouquets of-flowers in vases. The guests were waited on by members of E Puni's family, who displayed the utmost politeness and care for the comfort of their visitors. A large quantity of food, consisting* of pigs roasted whole, baskets of loaves, eels, and other fish, was distributed in the open air about 4 o'clock to those natives for whom no room could be found in the booth. Before dinner was concluded heavy rain, penetrating the booth in many places, threw some discouragement on the assembled party ; but when our informant left, at about naif-past nine, the numbers had not begun to diminish. The native visitors were, we believe, chiefly of the Ngatiawa, Wanganui, and Ngatiruanui tribes; that is from the west coast^as far as Patea, with the exception of Otaki and Manawatu. Tairoa, the Chief of Otago, was also present. Among the European visitors were the Speaker of the Provincial Council, Mr. Alfred Ludlam; Mr. Wakefield, M.P.C.; Mr. Renall, M.H.R.; Mr. W. Buller, the Interpreter; Captain Mundle, of the Oliver Lang; and Captain Wilson of the Queen steamer, who was third mate of the barque Tory in-Septem-ber, 1839, when the purchase of this district by Colonel Wakefield, for the New Zealand Company took place at the same spot, and who was cordially recognised by the old chief. The gathering appears to have been called for the purpose of discussing the propriety of following" the example of some of the Northern tribes, by electing a 'Maori King.' E Puni, however, upon whom the choice of most of those favourable to the movement would probably fall, is himself totally adverse to the plan. If the white people were to join in naming him to any dignity ,*he play fully, says, he should say 'Yes;' but he laughs at the Maori c Kingdom.' No distinct speeches on one side or the other bad been made by any one when our informant left. Every one was struck by the dignified, graceful, and polite jnanner t in which the old Chief superintended, and his younger relatives executed nil the arrangements for the vast hospitality.—' Spectator, Sept. 22.