FAREWELL SOIREE TO DR. HOCHSTETTER.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VI, Issue 18, 31 August 1859, Page 4

FAREWELL SOIREE TO DR. HOCHSTETTER.

On the evening of Monday, 25th July, a number of the European and Native inhabitants of Auckland and its neighbourhood met together in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, in order to present an Address and Testimonial to Dr. Ferdinand Hochstetter of the Imperial Austrian Frigate "Novara" During the few months that Dr. Hochstetter had been able to remain in this Island, he had visited and examined a large portion of the country and had constructed a map which enables us for the first time to form a clear and correct idea of this part of New island. He bad also shewn in the map the

nature of many of the different kinds of rocks and soils, things which cannot easily * be made plain to our native readers. All the lime he was here he worked most diligently in exploring and describing our country, and it was to do honour to him and to thank him that the meeting was heid. His Honor the Superintendent was in the chair, and Colonel Mould presented the Testimonial. Both ihe Chairman and Colonel Mould spoke very highly of Dr. Hochsteiters services, and Dr. Hochstelter made a very appropriate reply. A speech in Maori was then made by Paora Tnhaere of Orakei, which was interpreted by Mr. Baker. "Friend, I salute you, and am much pleased to meet yon here, because I was the first person who addressed the strangers who came hither by the "Novara" last summer. T was told that they were friends of Queen Victoria, and that their object in visiting New Zealand was to make themselves acquainted with the people, and to examine the features of the country. They found us living in peace. War and dissension had disappeared from among us, and we submitted to the laws of our Queen. Thus it was that you were enabled to travel through the J length and breadth of the land without fear of molestation or interruption. We recognised you as a friend; we were told that you look a deep interest in our welfare; and in every place you found a welcome. But now that you are going away, let me express my regard for you; and, according to the custom of my ancestors, I address this fare- | well song to you:— K^u^^k&frM ' Whilst the misty clouds are rolling i Round the peaks of Tautari, ; Let me weep in silent sadness j Ftr the loved one torn from me. Friend, whilst thou werl near me dwelling, ' How my heart's love clave unto thee ; j But to distant lands thou goesf, Wandering like a ghost of night. "Vainly did my best affections Tell me that (hou wert mine own; And in midnight dreams I fancied That we never should be parted; Soon, alas! thy form must vauish, Lost in distance—Fare thee well.'" The following was Dr. Hochstetler's reply : "Friends, I salute you ! Friend Paora, I salute you, the Chief of Ngatiwhatna, who has ever been the friend of the Pakeha, I am much pleased to meet you here; because j when our frigate the "Novara" anchored in i the waters of the Waileruata, you were the ] first of your race to welcome the strangers ! who were visitiog your country. And now,!

you stand here to bid farewell lome, lo the person who was left behind. I also am about to depart; and then, all those whom you greeted with shouts of welcome, and the waving of mats, will have passed out of your sight. h " This parting rends my heart with sorrow " And overcomes all other feelings." I have heard your friendly expressions; let it be my duty and pleasure to convey them to my friends, who are now far away. Friends the Chiefs of this place, and of other places, I salute you. Here am I, the only person who remained lo examine your island. I have travelled through the country, from the West even unto the East. I have visited Kawhia, and seen Tainui there; I have been to Maketu, on the other coast, to the place where lies the anchor of "Te Arawa;" these were the canoes in which your ancestors embarked, when they sailed from Hawaiki, and landed upon Te Ika a Maui. 1 have climbed to the lops of the hills, and have descended into the valleys; and I have stood at the the mountain which lies to the South of Tongariro and of Ruapehu. In all places whither I journeyed with my companions, our ears heard the friendly greeting, "Welcome! Welcome to the Strangers! Welcome!" The wharepvni were prepared for us, that we might sleep in warmth and comfort; the wives and daughters of the Chiefs spread before us the food most prized by the Maori. And my sight was dimmed when, looking back, I saw the smoke of your dwellings disappear behind the ranges of the interior.. Friends! it is well that I see you standipg before me; but others, our mutual friends, are dwelling at their homes. When you meet the Chiefs of Waikato, of Mokau, and of Whanganui, tell them that I still bear them in remembrance. Tell the Chiefs of Whaingaroa, of Aotea, of Kawhia, of Tauranga, of Maketu; tell the men of Taupo, of Tarawcra, of Roto Iti, of Rolorua;— let them all know how my heart rejoiced when I saw them living in health, and enjoying the blessings of peace, in their villages. I have seen the Pakeha and the Maori dwelling together as brethren, having one God, one Christ, one Law, and one administration of Justice; being subjects together of one Queen. You have embraced Christianity—hold it fast; seek after those things of the Pakeha which will improve your condition, that ye may live happily, and enjoy the blessings of civilization in this beautiful and pleasant island. Thesg are my farewell words to the Chiefs of New Zealand. So long as :

the vapor eddies round the summit of Whakaari; so long as rises the steam of Ngauruhoe in a cloud-piercing column; so long as the waters of Te Tarata and Olufcapuarangi descend into Itoiomahnna; so long as the sacred fire from Hawaiki burns on Tongariro; so long will I remember item. Farewell, my friends! dwell peacefully in your houses. And when I am far away, remember me, even as I also will ever remember you." After the speeches wore over the natives present came forward and shook hands with the guest of the evening, and sung a farewell waiata.