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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VI, Issue 139, 20 April 1854, Page 2

The Native Chiefs of the Province of Wellington were entertained by his Honor the Superintendent at a sumptuous feast at the Wellington Hotel, on Friday last the 30th December. The tables were handsomely decorated, and literally groaned with all the delicacies of the season. Covers were laid for fifty. The Vice chair was filled by Mr. Speaker Clifford. On the right of the Superintendent sal Tc llapukii, on the left E> Puni. Amongst the Chiefs preascnt were :—Te Hapuku, Tc Wercta, Te Mauiherc, Wircmu Kingi, Ngairo, Nopcra, Wi Tnko, E Puni, Porntii, Puhara, Hoera, Wi Tamihaua, Naturi, &c., &c. Tc Hapukti, and a large body of influcnlical Chiefs from Hawkc's Jiay, Wairarapa,

and oilier-parte of Hie Province, having conic to Wellington to arrange with Mr. Commissioner M'Leah about the sale of land, &c„ advantage was taken of the opportunity by the SupcriiUcnilcnt to invite them to an entertainment at Baron Alzporf-s Hotel ; at which the Members of the Provincial Council, Col. M'Clcvcrty, Commissioner M'Lean, and Mr. Kemp, &c, also were present. It has been deemed of importance to give a short account of this meeting, in order to show Ilio strong ami increasing feelings of friendship that exist between the British and Native m :cs. It is to he regretted that a more full rcportof this meeting was not prepared, but it is hoped that the following faint outline, chiefly rrom memory, may be interesting, and extend the influences of ilio occasion beyond Mie scene where it was held. His Honor the Superintendent in proposing ihe health of the •' Queen," requested Mr. M'Lean to express to his guests the gratification ho experienced in having the opportunity or giv'ui" a cordial and hearty welcome to so many of the great Chiefs of this Province, and of asking them to meet nl the fcslivc board the Members or Ihe Provincial Council —the "wise men" of the Province; he begged Mr. M'Lean to dispel any doubts that inay have arisen in their minds as to the intentions of the now Government—and to give them the most positive assurance, that their interests would be as zealously watched, and as efficiently promoted, under the present as under any previous Government—that the great aim of himsciraiul of the members of the Legislature, would be not only to maintain, but to cement more strongly than ever the friendly relations which had so long subsisted between the races—and to promise by cverv means in their power their iitlurc welfare, happiness and prosperity.

The health of her Majesty was then drank, in the good old English fashion, Willi lliu greatest enthusiasm. His Honor then proposed the healths of the Chiefe of the province, which was received with three times three; the Chiefs being evidently much gratified by the Superintendent's assurance or and by the hearty greeting given to lliem. Te Puni, the venerable chief of Port Nicholson, being called upon to reply, said he was glad lo see so many Chiefs, many of whom had come from a great distance, and to witness the cordial reception they had met from the Hritish army. He felt a just pride in the part he had himself taken with his European friends. When he saw so many Chiefs present at this,festive meeting from all parts of the country, he was confirmed very much in his views in keeping up a kindly intercourse wilh the Pakchas. During the wars, many tribes in the interior and elsewhere, were wonllo say,—"What fools the Wellington Natives are!" They incessantly followed us with lannis and reproaches; that they ought to have united wilh lliem in expolling the Hritish from these Islands. Nevertheless, though left alone, as if deserted by all, and- as if he was Tvilhout an elder or younger brother, like n lone sea bird upon a rock, he had been resolved lo live in friendship wilh the English : and now thai he was an old grey-headed man, he felt that ho would still -maintain the. same attachment lo his friends, the white men, as long as ho was in the world. Te Puiii's speech was received wilh great applause from both races. Portiilualso responded lo the toast alluding more especially to the, great benefits which the Seniors had conferred upon the Natives, and declaring his own belief that the Europeans could always I'uul the means lo ell'ect whatever they wished. Te Puni llien rose, and proposed in terms which gave evidence of the kindlieartedness, for which ho has long been celebrated, the health of his Honor the Superintendent, which was drank with all honors. His Honor in responding, said that the pleasure he derived from having his health received with so much enthusiasm in such »n assembly, was not a little increased by the loast having been proposed by one whom (they, the settlers,) must ever re'ekoti as one of their best and oldest friends,—whom they must ever regard wilh feelings of warm esteem and affection, —whose services ihoy could never 100 forcibly acknowledge—the debt of deep gratitude—for the reception he he had given them on their first landing, and the steady friendship he had received fromall. Referring to Portulu's remarks, his Honor requested Mr. Al'Leaii to explain fully lo the

Chiefs the plans proposed by the Government for opening out the whole, country, from one end of the Province to the other, by the constructing roads and bridges, to invite their co-operation nnrt assistance in carrying on these works, to explain to them the benefits which llicy themselves wouid derive from roads, &c, and to slate that if llicy would find the labour, the Government would always find the money. Mr. M'Lcan, in proposing the health of E. G. Wakefield, Ksq., stated to the Chiefs, that he, along with his brother, the late Col. Wakefield, had taken a prominent part in sending out to Wellington the first body of settlers, from whom they had derived so many advantages. Mr. Wakclbld replied, that the present was one of the happiest occasions he had had the satisfaction or witnessing since his arrival in the colony. Although he had some recollections connected with New Zealand (here his voice faltered from strong emotion,) he was persuaded that the present meeting was established to be productive of important results towards the. mutual friendship of the two races, and he felt personally gratified with such displays of good feeling on all sides, and only regretted that the reporters of the press had not been there to record these important proceedings; that llie Natives might be assured thai the friendly sentiments expressed by bis Honor the Superintendent were fully shared by himself and other members of the Council. The Speaker of the Provincial Council in Wellington, being next introduced to the greetings of the meeting by Mr. \Vtfkclield, expressed him:,elf to the following effect.— He had arrived at Wellington, like many others, without land. While in this discouraging situation he received the kind attentions of Munihcrc, a Chiefuow present. This happened eleven years since, and still he recolcctctl with the warmest interest and gratitude the hospitable entertainment he enjoyed with the Natives at Wairarapa,—and was anxious to sec similar feelings of confidence and esteem perpetuated in all the intercourse of the settlers with the aborigines, in the times yet future. The proceedings of the evening yielded him the utmost satisfaction, and lio heartily sympathised in the many excellent sentiments which had been already so well and so frequently expressed. In the Maori language, Mr. Hell introduced Mr. M'l.can lo the good wishes or lliosc assembled in reference- to a safe voyage which lie was about to undertake to Auckland. Mr. M'Lcan replied, in the same tongue, to the Native cheers and universal applause which hailed the mention of his name, and said that he felt obliged lo the Natives for the many evidences of kindness and forbearance which they had shown in his many, and sometimes dillicult, iiegocialions with them. Captain Daniell's health having been proposed, was drunk with great applause ; after reluming thanks Capl. Daniel! proposed the health of an old friend of his, andof all thesotllursof Wellington, E Tako.