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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 12, 16 November 1857, Page 1

On Wednesday, the 11th inst., the Exhibition, of which notice was given to our Maori friends ia the hand bills which were circulated amongst those residing near the town, took place. Notwithstanding the unfavorable stale of the weather for some weeks past, and the consequent inferiority of the floral and horticultural productions exhibited, the show was more successful than had been expected. The Hail of the Mechanics' Institute had been very tastefully decorated for the occasion. Tree ferns, nikau, and other forest plants had been brought from Titirangi, and formed a grove, interwoven with pikiarero and English flowers. Passing over the contributions of the Europeans, which want of space will not allow us to allude to, we feel much pleasure in directing attention to the interesting articles exhibited by our Maori friends. Maliu Taupaki, of St. Stephen's School, Taurarua, sent some specimens of theKahakaha, with a pillorv composed of the down of the same.

John Hobbs Tamaha exhibited a new mere pounamu called Hatana, recently wrought by himself, and considered a very fine specimen of the stone. Hirawanu of Manawatti, a chief of the Rangitane tribe exhibited Ahinu, a celebrated mere of the variety of stone called Okewa. This mere originally belonged to Ekanui, and descended from him through twelve generations to the present owner. It Las been much larger, but having been notched in the frequent engagements in which it has taken a part, has been ground down, and thus become disproportioned. Te Whareumu of Mataraata, and Paraone Katipa sent one taiaha each. There were two other articles of Maori manufacture exhibited by well known friends of that people, which attracted considerable interest. The first was a handsome and curiously formed stick, carved by Hori Haupapa,and presented by him to Colonel Wynyard. The second was Paewhenua, the famous battle axe of Te Pehi, chief of theNgatiawa, with which himself and several other chiefs were murdered at KaiapGi. It was subsequently recovered by Te Rauparaha when he stormed the Whangaraupo pa, and given to Mr. McLean on the 42th February 1857, by Ropoama te Owe, in the presence of tiae principal natives of that part of the country, in token ol the cession to the Government of Arapaoa, in the Middle Island. It is desirable that the natives should come forward and compete with their European friends in the exhibition of the fruits of the earth. On the present occasion, the first of a series of shows, the horticultural productions were very inferior to many samples of Maori produce which we have seen in the market; and we trust that, as every facility will be afforded them, and every encouragement held out to induce them io compete with the Europeans, the next exhibition will prove what Maori skill and industry can effect. The Europeans are fully aware of the benefits conferred by these shows upon the science of horticulture in their own country; the man who had been content to raise vegetables simply for the sake of sale and grain, now .•directs bis attention to the production of ; an .article of superior quality, quantity, sod size. He competes with his fellow exhibitor ; e£ch strives to gain the prize; each exerts all bis skill,, and to this is added untiring indiistryi and Ah.e result is, .that he exhibits a sample which excfees.the .emulation 4*S&sM\q% cojspe.iUojrsj a^difeejidiwcation

of alf. While we encourage the Maorics to join in the struggle, let tliem not be backward to show that they can at least compete with, if not excel, their European friends at the next annual show^ In the evening the Hall was lighted up with Chinese lamps for the Soiree. The attendance was very great, and so crowded that much- of the anticip; led pleasure was lost. Among the Maori visitors were the following chiers,—JohnHobbsTamaha, Hori Haupapa, of the Ngatiwhakaue tribe, and Tipa, Te Poihipi, Hoera, Te VVi, of Ngatipaoa. At the request of some of the gentlemen present, Hori Haupapa addressed the meeting. He took the stick of which we have already spoken ashavingbeen presented by him to Colonel Wynyard in his hand, and made the following speech, which was interpreted to the audience by Mr. Baker, of the Native Department. "Salutations to you, O my European friends. English ladies, [ saiiite you. It affords me much pleasure to meet you in this tastefully decorate! room: I feel that through the equalizing influences of Christianity, we can look upon each other as elder and younger brethren. The mild rule and laws of our Queen have caused good things to abound; and the wealth of England has been brought to these shores. But there are many and greatevils still existing amongst us—murder, and other deplorable vices - these we must endeavour to suppress. To you, my Maori fiiends, I say let us follow the example of the Europeans. Let us strive to possess some portion of their wealth, and acquire mil is and ploughs, that we may be able to procure better food for our families than we lived upon in our youth-" He concluded his speech with the following song : Across the land the cold wind sweepelh. And my aching limbs it chillelh. To ease my grief I am forbidden, Nor may I give my heart to sorrow. Fain would I shed fast (lowing tears For thee* to (nine own land reluming. Oh ! might I, on the south wind borne. To Horohoro's peak be wafted, That I might watch the cloud uprising From Ruapeka's sulp'hrous fountain; Or look upon the placid ocean That laves the shore where thou art dwelling. Come hither Love! Thou dimm'sl mine eye And with me gaze on Rolorua* The dwelling-place of Aliue. itelain'd by sickness and by I let thee journey forth alone - r * !

E?se bad I dashed the twigs aside Which lay across my palh, and gaz'd. On Tairi's snow-capp'd peak with Ihee. In the course of the evening the natives sang the Hari, "Toia te waka, &c," and the Ngeri, "Ka mate, ka male."