THE FLAG-STAFF AT MONGONUI.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume V, Issue 4, 27 February 1858, Page 1

THE FLAG-STAFF AT MONGONUI.

In the account given by us in the number for October 31st, 1857, of the meeting of the Chiefs and people of Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa and other tribes at Mongonui, to express to His Excellency, through their Resident Magistrate, their wish to have European Settlers located among ahem, and their sentiments respecting the re-erection of tbe Flagstaff at Kororareka ; frequent reference will be found in the Speeches there given of their intention to erect a Flag-staff at Mongonui also, as a token of their loyaly to the Queen. From letters lately received from that district, we learn that on the 26th January last, messages were sent to all the principal Chiefs and villages, from Whangaroa northwards, requesting them to meet at Mongonui, for the purpose of carrying out their resolution. The spar having been prepared by Porrua, on Tuesday the 2nd ultimo, the Flag-staff was erected on Barrack-hill in the presence of about six hundred natives, the crews of the whale ships in the port, and

<manyef the European settlers. The ceremony was wound up with war dances and loyal speeches. We are fortunate in being able to present our readers with the substance of the latter, from notes taken by Mr, Piri Kawau, the Interpreter attached to the •Resident Magistrate's Court. Ururoa, the Chief of Wbangaroa, addressing those of the Ngapuhi tribe who were -residing at that .place said:—" It 'is a source of much pleasure to me to know that you bavemet the Governor in terms of peace and friendship,"—evidently alluding to the nandsome manner in which his Excellency •was received on bis late visit to the North—"You looked upon each other during the njjar, but now have become united with the Government. Henccarose the thought that -a Flag-staff strotfd be erected here. It is symbolical of the love of the Maories to the 'Queen and the Government. This staff shall be named Victoria and Albert, •and shall be considered a token of our love and friendship for the.Europeans." Te'Poibipi spoke the next in similar terms -and seconded Ururoa's sentiments and expressions relative to the name and object of -the Flag-staff. Hongi, the son of the far-famed warrior Hongi Hika, referred briefly to the speeches of the former speakers, and said,— *'The Tiame Of the Flagstaff is Victoria and Albert and is to shew our good intentions towards each other, and our reverence for the Queen and Government. It is well known lhat the English laws are good, therefore let us respect them that we may benefit thereby. yeMorenga,ChiefofTe Rarawa, said,"Let us all live peaceably,orderly, and on friendly terms. obey one law—the law of the Queen; and looking upon this Flac4taff, remember that it was erected for no ordinary purpose. It stands here in confirmation of our having come under one law. And now G Ngapuhi, and you, O Governor, let us endeavour to live in friendship with Su land lbal We may dWeM bappi,y in .i^ P Sr )ru . a Vr Cbi . e / of MaD *onui, pointing to the Flagsiaff, said:-" Let us now nave but < f y s lem T\ h lhe Government of New over to Mr, White in token of our love and nSl y t° l ? e Queen ' I,er Government and iod^lberuS 0 name m Y] »**** Victoria

Te Waka, Chief of Te Rarawa tribe, said: —" We have come a long way to assist you in the erection of this Flagstaff; and to shew our respect for the Government. Let not our work of to day be spoiled, lest our friends say that we are unable to carry out our own resolutions. lam of opinion that we -should uphold the law, leaving it for others to approve our regulations and good intentions." Ahuabu, NgapipT; Paora, Heke, Ururoa, and several other Chiefs spoke in similar terms; and the Resident Magistrate, W. B. White, Esq., replied, on behalf of his Excellency the Governor, that he felt very much gratified in receiving from so large a body of the Natives such a handsome proof of their loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty! the Queen; and the Government, lie in I common with every Englishman looked with feelings of pride upon that Flag which waved in almost every part of the globe, and ensured freedom and liberty to the civilized world. The Natives themselves must admit that they enjoyed the freedom of which that Flag is a p edge. Not many years ago tbey lived in constant fear of each other; now every man was free to go when and where be pleased. Now all were free men, obeying one law, —the very law which they bad that day pledged themselves to support. He accepted the Flagstaff wkich they had named Victoria aid Albert, as a pledge of their attachment and loyalty to the Government. He wished tbem clearly to understand that he attached no importance to the Flagstaff beyond the expression of good feeling to the Government and Europeans, and in that sense be would close the days proceedings by proposing three hearty cheers for Victoria and Albert.-