DINNER GIVEN TO THE NATIVE CHIEFS AT WELLINGTON BY HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VI, Issue 140, 4 May 1854, Page 3

DINNER GIVEN TO THE NATIVE CHIEFS AT WELLINGTON BY HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.

(Continued from our last.) Portutu's health being now proposed by Mr. Ludlam, he, in a kind and able speech in reply, expressed himself as follows. He liked Europeans and (heir customs, and their superior comforts and advantages. The Natives liuvc only at limes great abundance of mod—while as frequently and suddenly they arc reduced to great scarcity and want. The natives have the advantage of no continued harvest of good things. Their enjoyments or luxuries arc very limited in their 'Stuniber, and equally uncertain in regard to possession. It is far otherwise with the Europeans, they always have plenty of everything. An evidence of this statement might be seen in the abundance and variety ofgood tilings upon the table before them. It islhe .same case witli them everyday throughout the year. Their commissariat is, in fact, inexhaustible; while the Natives might find difficulty in entertaining thousands foradayor two, they with their endless resources, could feed thousands. Lei others say what they plca«e, it is true that they themselves live happily at Port Nicholson with their Europeans. _ . jo Maniliere, of Wairarapa, being introduced 10 the notice of the meeting by Mr. Speaker Clifford, spoke in the following strain:—Thai he had for a longlimeadlicred to Native Customs and ideas: audit was only recently that he and his tribe bad begun to follow "the example of (ho Ngatiawas by selljug their land. They knew indeed that the Europeans are far superior to litem; and that they arc truly elder brothers, and much above them in their laws and customs, and it must be well to follow and imitate their example. The health of Mis. Foallicr-slone was proposed by Mr. WaUefielJ, and most cordially responded to by all present. His Honor | briefly returning thanks, declared that his better half fell (he same interest as he himself dill in the future progress of the Province —entertained Hie fame kindly feelings towards (lie natives, and this desirous of rendering whatever assistance she could in carrying out the objects they all bad so much at heart.

Mr. Ilevans, in proposing the health oflhc Native Chief iVgairoa, made mention of liis kjudncss Mini promptitude in coming to the assistance of Capl.-Smilh and his family, at Wairarapa, in the midst of a wild winter's night. The occasion of the alarm was the /Injigofn gnu, which led the Chief lobeliove that his friend Capt. Smith, might he attack«ml by the rebel tribes, who wore then at war •«Uh the English. This wasone instanceoflhe kiliilTiess of their friends present, and an evidence that, oftentimes, the utmost conlidcnce mlsijl.be placed in the honesty of native protection. Ngairo responded cordially to these senlinu}\\is. He lioped that the friendly feeling ' Vjjjrocali'd so strongly that night might ncbe interrupted. 'After a parting glass, ,:uul a friemlly shake of the hand all round, the meeting dispersed all highly gratified with the proceedings of the occasion. In connexion with this entertainment to iwcnly-seven Native Chiefs, who manifested so much willingness to encourage menl of the Urilish amongst them, it may be -stated with every satisfaction, that sino:September last, upwards of two milliousof acres of land have been purchased from the Natives comprising the greater portion oftlto Wairarapa Valley, and ccrlaiii other dislricls of

land valuable for grazing and tillage, wliich were previously locked up against Rritishchtcrprisc. It is no Iras satisfactory to sec the disposition ou, the pari of (lie Natives lo concede their tentorial rights with a view ID our iiitrodue.tioii amongst them. The rural districts arc now being opened up to the industrious labors of thousands of our fellow-roun-1 trymen, who are prepared to lake advantage of tho auspicious circuuislnui-cs of lliiseolony. The ease and rapidity with which .Mr. Commissioner M'l.ean interpreted the speeches excited tho surprise and admiration of all present. "The Members of the Provincial Council," having been given, Mr. Mqoro replied in suitable terms, declaring .that the present was by far the most gratifying event he had ever witnessed in New Zealand. Mr. Hell, in speaking of Hapukn'said that through that Chief's iiilliieiicca large district on the I'.asl Coast viz., Ilawke's Ray, had been opened to Rrilisti enterprise. Without such additional pasturage in this district many of the flocks and herds, which now «i- ; joyed abundance of food and scope for jit-: crease might have been reduced to the most unpromising circumstances. Now, extensive ranges of laud had been secured through his aid, which might have remained, waste and unproductive. In this manner an ample outlelwasuiade to the energy andiiuproviug spirit of the settlers of this Province. It need not be, added that the name of the renowned Chief llapnka, will be received with iinnni|nous applause. | llapuka spoke to the following purpose. lie was a stranger to the English customs and manners, and much more to a great feast wilt/ the l'akohas like the piesent. Nevertheless, he highly valued such meetings, and fjdt exceedingly gratified by the kind attention paid to litem by his Honor the Superintendent. He desired that the liritish might be enabled to spread over lint whole country. They (the Rrilish) were the older brothers ol a branch of the same family, and their elders in knowledge and art of every description. It would be needless for them to contend in any wav with men so skilful and superior in all things. For his own part, he thought To I*lllll had enjoyed long enough the exclusive advantages of the English residing , with him. He would like to deprive- him [of some of them by their removal to his own district. Ho would be glad (pointing to all the liritish present) to have them settled at Ilawke's Ray. He should like lo take with him to Ahuriri the Superintendent, and all his friends. They (addressing his countrymen) heard his sentiments with regard to the liritish. He wished thatall the Native.tribes or this district heard the same, and t'.tatllicy [ baa* been nil present, with it view to bury in : oblivion ail misunderstandings and jealousies | that may exist. He as freely wished the ' Ngaliloa's had been present. Such occasions as these might lend lo cement and perpetuate friendly feelings between the two races, ' which wcreso necessary to the happiness and advancement of New Zealand.- He had sohl his land to the Queen,—and many claims here which he undoubtedly possessed lo land already sold, he waived for the sake of his friends the Pakehas. His influence, in other districts whereheenjoyed rights, would be employed with a view lo the sale of the land to ihcEnglish. They might believe him when he alliruied that the happiness an I prosperity and increase of the numherof lirilishsclllers, were objects near and dear lo his heart and that night's festivity would ever awaken pleasant recollections. E Tako said, he was glad to sec the Superintendent, and the members of Council, and ho;eil that he would follosv Governor Grey in the spirit and conduct of histransaclion's with the Natives, and that no plans or measures oT contradictory policy would occur His Excellency had been a kind friend to them, and bis kindness would never be forgotten. If the Governor be carefully imitated, all would be well. To I'tini had, as the bead bf of the tribe, been always friendly, and do himself was not backward in forwarding the interests of the liritish settlers. He trusted that the more remote Chiefs would follow the example ofthose near Wellington in these objects, and that all might enjoy the advantage of friendly intercourse with the l'akehas.