SIR GEORGE GREY'S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE NATIVES.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VI, Issue 137, 25 March 1854, Page 4

SIR GEORGE GREY'S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE NATIVES.

We have had the gratification of publishing in our columns a number of Addresses from the Native Chiefs, and the children of the Native Schools, presented to Sir George and Lady Grey previous to their ileparlure from Auckland. Asa general acknowledgment of those Addresses, and a Farewell Word of friendly counsel, His Excd'cnry wrote the following Address and has, we understand, left directions that a translation of it into the Maori language should he extensively circulated amongst the Natives. We cannot doubt that it will lie received hy them with an ardent welcome ; and we trust that the wise the affectionate parting words of a Governor who has indeed hcen as a Father to

llii; Aboriyiucs, will sink deeply inlo llicir minds, ninl 1)« remembered by them with I>i-oliL ill years to come. .Mt Ciin.imi:*, —Time Ilics on, ami the work I have lo do before, tin.* ship sails is s„ {{real that Ic: ol make an answer to all tin; Tribes an;l lo each of the Chiefs of New Zealand who have Milt such kin.l Idlers lo an'. Therefore I, your friend, uo\V on the point of doeartiir-i fur my native land, sa\ these few woiils (o yon in a general Idler lo all. I thr.nk yon all for what yen have fur so many Macs done lor ine, lor llie n!!ediomiSe lan-wells you have scnl mi'; bill Ihanl.s in worls are of liltl«* value, — my real thanks shall be in my labours hereafter l.ir your beneil. Now li.-leii lome, many eves an- lurnrd upon yon, Ihe hopes of many unlives lin:i;, r upon Mill, There are yd many countries where Kncop. ans h:,\e not eiilcred, hill where ibey willeiiier--inany. many naiivi sami lube., inhabit; those countries,- in some sort not oulv \oiir "Wit (ale, Iml the fate of all lho-,0 people lianas on you. This is a great responsibility, bill vourniinol avoid it,—meet it therefore like fearless Christians.

Koi' the lirsl lime, it hits in iliis <-<nintiy been seen (li:il ignorant ;nnl heathen men iii;iv heroine good citizens :inl resil brothers of ili«- Kuropraiis; lor iln> lirsl tini<; il liiis been seen ili-.il ;i people inslnu'trtl in christian knowledge and chri-liaii virtues may, however li:i>l their previous sCilo was, heroine ;i uuble nation. Some yi'i doubt I his; llirv say Ihi' tiiuu von have behaved well is yei looshorl in prove thisli nth ; lliey are iioi" certain Ihal yon will even continue as you are, inurli less advance I'nrllier in good works. I'.nl ill I '. tli> vmi pro'.ril to lie line, for (he sal.e nl'your cluhlreii, lor your own sakes, lor llie sake ol' lho.se countless Irilies ol poor ignorant men whose fale, as I have Inlil you, lianas 11)1011 you ; prove Ihis 10 he line", ami every age will bless your rare, ami Ihe names of inanx ainongsl you will hrromr dear household wniils in all lauds and in all ages, and Ihe name el' ihe Mucen, of Vieionix, the lieiielieenl. v ill live Willi uuns as the name of 0:1 c xvhoroiiipi-.'ivd unlives by luxe and hy good works, uiilil from every xdi.igr, from a grrnl land inhahileil hy a people unknown lo her and her ancestors, earnest prayers are morning and evening ottered up lo heaven for her welfare, hy hiding old men, hy those full of health and youth, and even hy lisping hahes. I say yet oiieuiore word loyou,--Uv.c your llishops and Ihe Ministers of Ihe (hispel, lliose men xvho from love lo you, have sunlit life and energy in their attempts lo benefit you. 1 repeal again— love lliose men, jicai Kill to sxhal lliey say, for the one object they have in viexv is your welfare. Hearken lo and obey all lliose in authority under the (Jueeu, xxhelher (iovernors, Magistrates, or people of your oxvn race. And noxv Chiefs and Tribes of Nexv Zealand—farewell, farewell, may (iod in his great mercy bless you and keep you, and lead you lo every good work.

I add lo lliis my farewell lo llir children of ;>!l ilic Schools, of Ihe Church ol" latglaud, of llic Itom.'iii Calholic Church, of Hie Wcsleyans. I ('annul answer all ihe many letters you have sent lo l.aily (ircy and myself, inn we liotli .say lo yon all iliat we lhaiikyou I'm- your Idlers, for your prayers, for your good wishes. Do you wlio an; lo he ihe parents of the fuliire inhabitants of litis country obey your teachers, lltosegoud men and women who have given up all tin: days of lln.'ir life, and often much of their means, lo walrh you in hoarding schools, and lo instruct yon--ever liearKen lo ilium, and love litem, strive lo be good,— lei l.aily Crey and myself have llu; pleasure of hearing of nothing hut good of you. Farewell; if I eaiiuol relurii lo .\e\v Zealand now, I shall, if (iod spares my life, at leasl come hack when I am an old man, and once- again visit those schools in which, in company willi yourselves, I have spent so many happy days and hours; do uol forget the lime we have spent together, and llic many promises you have made me; hul lei me find you when I do return virtuous men and women, taking me with pleasure again lo visit those schools lo which yon owo so much, and showing roe with joy and gladness children even belter latighl than you are yourselves. I'arewell lo you all—From your attached friend, from your governor "and father, From G. (inr.v.