SIR GEORGE GREY'S VISIT TO HUKURANGI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 112, 11 May 1878, Page 4

SIR GEO RGE GREY'S VISIT TO HUKURANGI.

[New Zealander.-] Alexandra, May 8. Hikornnei, Tuesday.— l forwarded you a hripf telegram intimating our arrival at ihp pcene of the approaching tn*pM'rg T now Bfnd you a few particulars hirrifdiy plefiiipd. an to ihe reception which Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr Sheehan received. Sir Georgrp Grey beingr rather unwell to undertnkp the whole journey en horsehack, left Alpxandra accompanied by Mr Potts and Mr Mitchell, Private Secretary, shorlly after 9 o'clock, in a Wakatana or war canoe, called Te Autenua, the second largest of the seven canoes; it was elaborately decorated and fully manned, the prow of Kou was richly carved, and below the usually grotesque figure-head, there was also some fine carved work called a tiki. Branching out obliquely from the prows, were two wooden rods about eight feet in length, covered with feathers of various kinds, arranged so rs to form the segment of a circle, and at the point were two circles. This ornamental adornment is meant hy the natives to represent the rays of the sun. The stern decorations consisted of a long carving, surrounded by a poll of considerable length called a taurapa, covered wilh feathers of various kinds. The scenery on both aides of the winding river was beautiful and varied. The admirers of New Zealand ferns would have been greatly plea-ed ot the fine specimens to be seen on the margin of the river. As we glided smoothly along many choice varieties were clustered together, and the foliage seemed as if designedly placed by some Bkilfui hand, so beautifully were the colors blended. The canoe proceeded as far as Whakaroiro, the junction of the rivers Waipa, Mangakarakara, and Ngatowbi. The Hon. Mr Sheehan and the visitors proceeded thence on horseback, where they were joined by Sir George Grey, and they travelled together the remainder of the journey, a distance of over 12 miles. The country traversed presented scenery of the tooßt lovely and romantic description. The soil .ia loamy and very rich. When the party arrived within a mile of Hikurangi, headed by the Premier and Native Minister, they were requested to form themselves into a proceesion of two deep. This being done, tbe cavalcade extended for a considerable ditauce, owing to the large number of native chiefs, who, by previous arrangement, were told off to accompany the Ministerial party. This track was but recently formed. On ascending a hill near the settlement we caught the first glimpse of the B.sembied natives, who Occupied the brow of the bill close to tbe settlement, and stood out in bold relief against the horizon. They were ranged several rows deep, and extended a distance of about 500 yards. It was a magnificent sight ; one such as has never been witnessed by any Minister of the Crown or Governor of the Colony except the present Premier. Over five thousand natives were present, including tbe chiefs of tbe tribes inhabiting the country from the mouth of the Waikato river to Maungatautari, and thence to Kawhia. There was also about 200 of the Ngatimaniapoto present. The scene will not soon be forgotten by thosa who were fortunate enough to witness it. The natives were dressed in true Maori fashion, and they wore a profusion of various feathers snd other gny articles of personal adornment. The women were attired in varied colored dresses, bright red being ihe predominating color. Intermingled as they were with the men, they imparted a picturesqueness to the tableau, and rendered the lout ensemble more btilliaut and attractive. Upon -Sir George Grey and visitors appt caching a little closer, the cries of welcome were commenced by the natives. They began at the end nearest the approaching visitors and passed along tbe line to its termination, when it re-commeEced and was repeated several times until tbe party had reached within a hundred yards of the settlement. A few blank cartridges were fired off in honor of the occasion during the ngaripowhiei. After this tbe people at tbe settlement retired to a vacant space in froat of Tawhiao's large house, a building 400 feet in i length, and capable of holding some 500 persons, and wbich was erected in nine days, where they baited and faced tbe Premier and bis parly, who by this time had dismounted, in accordance with a message received from Tawhaio, who then advanced at tbe head of a email party, accompanied by his Secretary, Te Ngakau, to meet Sir George Grey and the Native Minister. When within a few paces Tawhiao hastened hia steps, and eagerly and warmly sh»ok hands with the Premier, Native Minister, and other visitors. The greeting was of a most cordial and friendly character. There was nothiug formal about it — on the contrary it resembled the meeting of two old friends who had been unavoidably separate i from each other for a long period of time. It was pleasing to hear those persons who had spoken and written to tbe effect tbat the whole thing would be a decided failure admit tbat the reception was th grandest affair of the kind they had ever witnessed during a long residence in the North Island. This testimony is rendered more valuable from the fact that they had witnessed many gatherings of natives on important occasions. ■ Tawhiao. was attired in European .-clothee, the only article of adornment worn by bim being a biue silk kerchief rolled roiipd his hat. He accompanied

Sir George Grey to the place where the tenfg were to he pitched in front of the house above referred to. They sat together for a considerable time conversing upon various subjects. He was ssked by Sir George Grey as to the state of his health, and he replied that be was much belter, but did not feel as well as he was at last meeting. Sir George Grey remarked that he himself waa not very well, to which Tawhiao replied that the Premier's illnpsa was perhaps through old age. Sir George humorously said : " Surely, I am not an old man yet. I am growing younger ; it is you who ia growing old." Tawhiao seemed to enjoy a little pleasantry. Sir George and party afterwards went to their respective tentp, which had in the meantime been pitched for them. An abundant supply of food for the visitors and the friendly Waikatos was brought with usual Maori ceremony, which consists of cha«ting, accompanied by welltimed movemenls of the hands and feet and simultaneous gyrations of the body. When the food was spread on the ground in a long line in front of the tent, a leading chief came forward and said : This food is for the visitors. After which Mr Grace, Private Secretary to Ihe Native Minister, on behalf of Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr Sbeehan. distributed the food to the whole of the visitorp, including the Maori escort. I need hardly say that ample justice was done to tbe repast, which was admirably cooked, and was relished wilh gusto and enjoyment, the long ride in the clear crisp atmosphere having produced an appetising effect. Tawhiro had tea with Sir George Grey in his tent. The terrace on which our tents were pitched commanded afine view ot the whole settlement, which presented quite an antmated appearance, dotted over as it was with tents in all direction-. Indeed, a more delightful Bpot for holding a great meeting ceuld not well have been seleeled. Looking eastward could be seen in tbe distance Maurigatolara and Te Awaiha, and to the south could be observed Tongariro and Ruapuke. From tbe rising ground every settlemet ia tbe Waikato delta could ba plainly seen. The young men spent the afternoon indulging in athletic sports and other amusements, while those of mature age crowded round our ten's in large numbers. I may here mention that one of Te Kooti's followers, who had been tv ned out of the settlement for drunkeness and misconduct, is said to have in a moment of anger, threatened to kill some of the visitors. The story was told with great circumstantiality to the Ministerial party at Alexandra this morning. They, however, disregarded the information, and determined to proceed to Hikurangi. On arrival at the landing place from the canoe the natives there had heard the rumor, and laughed at it as absurdity. At dusk Tawhiao in person stationed a guard of eighty men to patrol the encampment of the visitors during the night, with strict injunctions not to allow any person except those belonging to tbe Ministerial party to approach the tents. At a later hour he cams to see that his instructions were being carried out and tbat the men were at their posts. A light fencing had been erectad round the enclosure, and lamps were placed at regular '.intervals. When the shades of evening began to close round, religious services were conducted by the Rev Heta Tarawhiti. Two other native clergymen were present. The services were attended by all the visitors, and a few of the resident natives. A short time afterwards, the different services now used by them were gone through by the Hauhaue. I should here remark that although the meeting is mainly composed of the Waikato people proper, there are present a considerable number of the Ngalimanipotos under some of their 1- ading chiefs. Rewi was not present. He sent an intimation that he would come if Sir George Grey sent for him. But he expressed his preference for a separate meeting with the Premier, after the close of the Waikato meeting. Rewi's conduct throughout bas been of the most frank and straightforward character, and evincea a sincere desire on his part to come to an amicable settlement of any outstanding grievance. There can be no doubt whatever tbat the line of action now taken by him will lead to the settlement of a number of questions of tbe greatest importance to ;the interests of both races. The natives retired to rest at a very early hour, when the utmost quiet prevailed. No real work could be done this evening, but the actual work will be commenced to-morrow morning after breakfast. Tbe duration of the meeting ia uncertain, but it will probably finish in two days time.