A VISIT TO RANANA.

Manawatu Herald, 26 July 1881, Page 2

A VISIT TO RANANA.

MAJOR KEMP "AT HOME." - Mr Hector M'Donald, of Horowhenua, reached Foxton on his way home from a visit to Major Kemp's place, Ranana (London), and we have to thank Mr M'Donald for supplying us with an acconnt of tbe trip, which will doubtless prove interesting to our readers. Ever siuoe Kemp was despoiled of his offices and emoluments by the Government some time ago he has maintained a grieved attitude towards the " powers that be," and has refused to allow any Government offioial or any one oonneoted with the Government to ascend the Wanganui river. Several parties have been turned back, and a chain of sentries are posted along the river to prevent persons from intruding on Kemp's territory. Mr M'Donald waa accompanied by two of theprincipal Horowhenua natives on his visit to Ranara, which was for private business purposes. The party left Wanganui on Mouday, June 27th, on horseback, accompanied by five other natives as guides, and proceeded along the south bank of tho river until a short distance above Aromoho.when fchey struck inland, and travelled all day over a very broken and mountainous country, fit only for sheep runs. The road was an extremely rough bush track at times on top and along the face of high cliffs, hundreds of feet deep, and so dangerous that the party had repeatedly to get off and lead the horses. At dusk Koriniti (Corinth) was reached. This is a small native settle- . ment on the bank of the Wanganui, inhabited by a comparatively few natives, most of whom had already lift for Ranana, to attend the opening of Kemp's new meeting house. The party stayed at Koriuiti for the night, and at daylight on Tuesday started up Btream, the guides of the previous day being left behind, and Bix fresh natives taking the party on, four to " pole " the oanoe, and two to paddle. Throughout the entire i day the canoe was forged ahead, excepting at a kainga reaohed about midday, where i the party were oalled in to partake of kai, I

consisting chiefly of potatoes and wild pork, which, although cooked and served in primitive fashion, formed a welcome repast to the travellers. The country, as seen from the canoe, appeared to be of a broken, rugged oharacter. There were no plains, the mountains in many places running right ;lowu to tho river, whilo the slopes were covered with light bush. Small openings were scon here and there, where some stream or other ran into the river, and at such places thero were smftll open flats of li rat-class land. Shortly after dark another settlement waa reached, ond here the party pub up for the night. Here again, ifc was found that mo3fc of tlie natives had gone on to Ranana. At daylight a freah starfc was made, and aboufc 3 p.m. Ranana was reached, the. couutry en, route being similar to that scon on the previous day. R mana is situated right against the river bank, and is a settlement containing several hundred inhabitants. At this print the laud begins to open ottt, and beComeß better and more level. There is a small qnantity of really good land around the pn, and the natives aro industrious. The visiting party met with a warm welcome, and a tang! began instantly they stepped ashore, the chief cause of Mr JM 'Donald's companions tangi-iag, heing the attempt made some time ago on Kemp's life. The tangi lasted for an hour, and though this must have ' been a sore . .trial . to, the patience of the hungry travellers, the natives were not unmindful of the duties of hospitality, for the cooks were in the meantime busy preparing fche food, the whole crowd haviug a general repast at the close of the tangi, Mr M'Donald staying at Kemp's house as his guest. It should be mentioned Kemp has a neat weatherboard cottage, tho remainder of the houses being of tho usual Maori fashion. Major Kemp has just had completed a very line meeting house at Rauana, the dimensions being about 120 feefc x 40 feefc ; studs, 7 feefc high ; roof at centre, 3 8 feet high. The building is described as a very grand affair, one of the finest our informant has ever seen. There are three pillars in the centre of the building, each bearing a beautifully carved image, supposed to be likeuesses of Kemp's ancestors, the tattoing upon the faces being very fine. In the front there are also three large boards with Maori figures beautifully carved upon them, aud inlaid wite pawa shells, the carving repreienting ancestors of Kemp and other leading chiefs, one board from each of the eaves to the ground, and the centre one from the ridge pole to the ground. The woodwork arouud the door is similarly carved. The inside is beatifully decorated in Maori fashion wifch painted rafters, &c. The work of erecting the building was carried ont entirely by Maori laborers. It was opened on the loth instant, and the visitors having been invited to stay did so. Up to that date no one excepting the workmen had been allowed to enter it, Kemp himself never having been inside it. It was resolved to open it with great ceremony, in the primitive Maori fashiou. A very old and decrepit female tohmga nearly 100 years old, had been selected to perform the ceremony, and at the time appointed about 700 natives assembled to take part in the proceedings, Mr McDonald being the only Pakeha present. The old.tohunga led the way into the building, pausing every few steps to mutter her incantations followed closely by Kemp,' dressed in his military uniform. Behind him came a body guard of one hundred armed men, fully dreßsed and equipped. The above marched in until the centre of the building was reached, when the armed men halted, formed open order, and faced inwards. The crowd then came in between the two rows of men, who were of course pressed buck by the large concourse of people. The old lady had by this time concluded her part of the business, and Kemp then in a few words welcomed the people to his house, after which he retired, aud a general horero ensued. A small quantity of liquor was then served out to the people, and the days proceedings terminated. On the second day there were several war dances and a general "jollification," and on the third day the people again assembled in the meeting house, when Kemp addressed them as follows ; : — "This is my word at the opening of my house. The fear that ifc may go out of your minds you may write ifc down. (Sheets of paper were here served ronnd, and a considerable number began to copy the speech. ) lam going to cay semething about what Mete Kingi has said that we should ask the Governor to visit us. It is very right whafc he says, because he is following our ideas of previous days, when Grey was Governor, —from then to the time when Bowen was Governor. You may call the Governor here, but he will do you good if he does come. I believe the present Governor understands that we are living as Hau Haus, and if they think so it 'will damage us a great deal, as we are not living as Hau Haus. If they think we are living as Hau Haus and it comes to the worst, and they send to fire on us, I will go out. va. my ; uniform and hold up the' Queens flag, ' and A let • them fire at that. If they fire on that they will be ashamed of it. When it comes to that, remember, that if you come under my "protection I will hold the flag over all your heads as well as my own, and if you listen patiently to what I say, and come under my protection you will be right sp long as you, keep under the flag. Now, is your only time. Come while the tide jis low. If you pause until the tide is risen you may not be able to cross to me. I hope you will look at the best point of view of what I have said. I dp not waHt you to Bell your lands to the Government for 2s 6d per acre, that they may sell them again for £2. Ido not want you to sell large blocks to luen who will swallow up the country for themselves. Do not sell to the Government nor to them. Every man should have a chance, the poor as well as the rich. Sell your land in suitable blocks for poor men. Let it be ooened up by roads aud railways, and let it be settled on as townships. [This remark particularly refers to the West Coast railway and Foxton-Otaki road, Kemp being chief of that country.] I do uot believe in land taxes coming among natives as yet, beoause the land is >oung, and I hope the natives will get into Pakeha ways. lam to have a great meeting nexfc month, when I hope to see men -from all parts here, and I will say moro. Tbat is all at present. " Several other speeches were then made, after which the assemblage dispersed. A greafc number of presents were made to Kemp's tribe, including several magnificent mats, most of which were hung around the a^pestfal images, whilst J&awana Paipai; in addition to presenting a very handsome mat, placed a five-pound note upon the head of the one which represented one of his relatives. Mr M 'Donald left Ranana on Tuesday, 19tH instant, and, as -already stated, reached Foxton on Thur asd ay night. He informs us that Kemp intends to hold a great meeting about the fifteenth of next month, at which representatives of all the leadiug tribes in the North Island are expected to be pre scut.

, Henry Probatt. laborer, of Foxton, has filed his schedule. The Union Bank of Australia has deolared a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent. j for the past half year.