Presentation to Lord Roberts.

Manawatu Herald, 14 April 1900, Page 2

Presentation to Lord Roberts.

«. There is being forwarded by the Westralia from Gisborne to the care of the Native Minister at Wellington, who will see that it is sent on to Lord Roberts at South Africa, a handsome greenstone mere, to be presented to the Commander-in Chief on behalf of Tufa Nihoniho, representing the loyal Ngatiporou tribe of the East Coast of New Zealand. The mere (says; the, P.B. Herald) is accompanied by the following letter : -•• Presented to Lord Roberts, the brave man who has been able to preserve the power and dignity of our most high and beloved Queen Victoria, which ability has bestowed an everlasting honor on the Empire and enternal glory on New Zealand. I send you this mere. Immeasurable is the grief of your Maori fellow-sub-jects for the untimely but glorious leath of you brave an gallant son. It 'ias always been, and is still, mv strongest feeling that I and your Maori tellow subjects should join you, if only to ornament your feet or to accompany your dear son in his journey to that ; country from .whose bourne no traveller ever returns.' May God help' and preserve you. God save the Queen."— Signed, K. A. Tuta Nihomiho, Captain. This heirloom (greenstone mere) is of inestimable value imong the Maori people. Its name is " Porourangi " ; it originally belonged to Kahukurangi, a famous chieftain.