SIR ARTHUR GORDON AND THE GOVERNOR OF VAVAU.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 118, 18 May 1878, Page 4

SIR ARTHUR GORDON AND THE GOVERNOR OF VAVAU.

A correspondent supplies the Auckland "Herald" with the foitowing :— While lying at Vavau in the Mazeppa, H.M.S. Sapphire came in with Sir Arthur Gordon on board. This was on the 17th April. Tb? next dny there wa3 a kind of official reception. Previous to ibis, the Governor of Vavpu, the nephew of the King of Tonga, a highly-educated and intelligent urHvp, who specks very good English, had an arch of honour erected, expecting the King every day. This arch served both Governor Gordon and the Kinjr. The arch was about 20 feet high, and nicely ornamented with plains and flowers. At the top were four Tongan flags, and in the centre of these was the British Union Jack. Immedintely under iho latter was, "God Save Queen Viclori?." At 3 p.m., Sir Arthur acd staff land ed. were received by Governor Wellington at the wharf, and thence conducted to the Government House, After having partaken of some refreshments they took seats on the verandah, the chiefs of {he island ranging themselves on both sHes according to rank. Then iho male a<iulis of the islands, came in eingle file through the gate in front of the Government House, each one carrying a present in his haud, dropping it quietly in frontof Sir Arthur Gordon and making their exit out of the ground by tha back gate. After all the men bad passed, the women made their appearance in the same order aa the former, carrying presents which consisted as in the former case of all kinds of fruit, fowls, pige, mats, tapa, and flowers. It would have done our Auckland belles good to see their attire. Certainly there were no chignons, Grecian bend, and waterfalls, but native hair and colour were fully represented. One of the young girls stepped up to Sir Arthur, making a graceful bow something like Handy Andy's, presenting him with a fan which the former with a polite bow, accepted. There wets a long file of women. The keap of presents augmented to an enormous pile, but eiill they cams. I believe Sir Arthur Gordon bepan to despair of seeing the last of (hem. However, bis patience was finally rewarded by this part of the reception drawiug to an eut'. The women as they dropped their presents, sat down on the lawn, forming a semicircle. During this time the men had formed themselves into a square, some distance frem the Gover nmeu t House, and attached jihemselvee to a very primitive-looking sleigh on which lay tied an enormous pig; Binging native airs, they pulled it along, leaving it finally in frout of Sir Arthur Gordon. Having sung another sir, they all sat down. The whole formed a very pretty group. When all were seated (Oriental fashion), two men brought an enormous kava bowl, which was placed in the centre of the Bemicirele formed by tbe people. One of the chiefs ordered them to prepare the kava, which, in this instance, was not shewn, but had been previously grouud ti powder. While ihe kava was being prepared, one of the people stepped in front of Sir Arthur and made the following speech, which ooe of the white residents interpreted for me; " We thank Thee, O, Heavenly Father, that thou hast sent the Governor of the Fijis to pay us a visit. We have always been on friendly and peaceable terms with English "people. They were tbc first to lead us out of our darkness to tbe way of light and peace. Acknowledging this, we lay these Presents, in the name of our King, at your feet, wishing at the same time to live always in peace and friendship with England." In reply to this, one of tbe chiefs stepped off the verandah, and said: — " The Governor of Fiji is a wealthy man. He has made the Fijian Islands wealthy: he will also endeavour to make the Tongan people rich. Hia visit is of a peaceable nature." He assured the Government that we do not belong to any nation, but form an independent State, and tbafc we are, and always will be, free and independent. He extolled (he Tongan Islands, praised the Tougan Government, &c. When, as the Yankee said, the speechifying wa3 done, the kava was passed round by six young girls, who were directed by two chiefs where to take it. Tbe kava was served according to rank. Of the whole assembly only 70 or 80 p2rson were served with kava, end it appeared to me tkey were all chiefs and petty chiefs and their wives The men formed a square again, and singing, pulled the large pig down to the wharf, where Sir Arthur's pinnace was lying. The people dispersed, i Balf-an-hour afterwards Sir Arthur embarked, going oq board the Sapphire, and proceeding immediately to eea.