NATIVE FAREWELL ADDRESSES TO SIR GEORGE GREY.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 805, 31 December 1853, Page 1 (Supplement)

NATIVE FAREWELL ADDRESSES TO SIR GEORGE GREY.

j* Saturday, the 2ith instant, a deputation of g«W Chiefs from Rotor.ua, waited on His ExJ. ,y Sir George Grey. There were about ffifny of the principal men, hut two or three eyed ladies followed in the train, and by a

Utile lac and dint of perseverence they managed to themselves into the apartment. The parliesfere all rcspeclahlj aliuv-d in Jb.urnr.ean clolhioi except a mat or Iwo carelessly thrown over ft dress, and intended as a parting gift lo the pvernor. 'Hie ISew-Zcalanrier likes to i s | lo yhis gratitude and affection in a substantial I wa Jalthough he is not al all behind in giving ultince lo the deep feelings of the heart. lilliam Marsh Ilar.»il;<kina was chosen p p/ker on 'bis occasion. He briefly told Sir Gf'se "'al Ihe object of the | resent \\s\i i \J to/»rvsenl a valedictory address !o His Ex- j c j t .,uy, but he hoped I hat the Governor's »b----jkc from New Zealand would be only of a | wnporaiy nature.

ia; Afler sundry gesticulations and whispers wflmong Ihemselvcs, as In how the performance ' was to he conducted, I hoy broke out in lull cbmus, chauniiug the son« which opens with (ha address, ll was sum* in a subdued (one. with greai palhos, there being in (his mournful melody.au absence of those wild shrieks so grating to the ears of Europeans. As the lasl words of the poetry died away, the Maori orator commenced the task allotted to him, by reading the other portions of Ihe Address, which he executed in a masterly style. His movements were extremely graceful, and his emphasis good, and one cannot help thinking that man} speakers anions our own countrymen might learn a lesson from the respectful and dignified deporlI men! of these interesting people.

While reading a certain clause in (he Address. Rangilakina broke off abruptly, look the in- t that was thrown over his shoulder and laid it at the Governor's feet; another was immediately placed with it, by a party on (he opposite side of the apartment, and while (bus evincing (heir profound respect for the Governor, a deep silence pervaded the sorrowful throng, which \\a> broken by the speaker resuming his oratory, and Ihe whole was wound up by chaunting Ihe concluding song in the Address.

The Address itself is a good specimen ol Maori composition, and much lime and labour are absolutely necessary in order to do it justice. As il is, (here are no doubt many points both curious and beautiful OAerlooked, Ihe idioms of the two languages being so dissimilar.

The exit of the Deputation was as imposing j as I heir entrance. They passed out of the room i one by one. shaking hands with the Governor j and politely bowimr to him. Indeed the whole , affair is alike creditable to the intellect and af- ; feclions of these inland chiefs. Go! while the sun is shining Great Shelter of our land! Go ! while the hearts are pining. Of this once savage band, Go .' while the wind) are playing In gusts, above our head: 'I lie while our hearts are saying, " lie's now to us, as dead I" Go ! And .before the morrow Gaze on the dark deep sea ! And then these hearts in sorrow. Shall whisper,—" where is he '" This is our farewell address to you, 0 Friend Governor Grey. The Chiefs and people of New Zealand, especially those of ltotorua a allow you to go forth hearing their love. Suppose not O Governor that this affection for you is merely an outside thing, no; it corner from the inward recess of the heart. We hoped that your heart would rest here with us. Now, hearken. When the missionaries first came to this land, there was little industry, and little good was visibl .', but there was much indolence, and much wickedness, and all lived in ignorance. Then, God kindled his light, and 10, it became as day. After th,s came Governor Hobson ; and then a little fear b came over us. After him came Governor Fitsjßov, and things went on in u similar way. But when you came, O Governor Grey, it was like the shock of an earthquake ; your fame rose to the centre of the island, and extended to the waves on the ocean's shore. You came with two lights and these are they :—t! e lamp of God, and the iamp of the world. Your efforts on behalf of God's cause are, —the establishments of Schools, the erection of houses of prayer, thus following in tthe footsteps ( f the Church. These are the things you did in regard to the body : encouraged industry in the cultivation of the soil, pointed out the means of acquiring property, and raised this island to its present state of prosperity. You have done these things ; you have taught us to shun evil, and, pointed out the bad practices of this world so that we might cast them aside, You have been as one of the Ministers of the Churches, therefore we call you by these names: —the Peace-maker, the Honorable, the Friendly one, the Loving one, the Kind one, the Director, the Protector, the Far-famed one, the Lifter-up and the Father, c

Aliho' we heard of your projected departure we thought nevertheless that you would stay. Both you and the Bishop are going, New Zealand will thus be left without a .Patent.

O cause the troubled wave to sleep. And silent keep the sea; Now lei us hear its deafening roar Resound along the rocky shore; Till rf he shall speak to me. Till he shall speak in accents mild, And wave this tuft of green ; « For Tangaroa f will hear h>s words. And Oi g in the train of birds Shall smile upon the scene. The Hear stream that was, has now be "orae turIvil. The rain will full upon the earth, and who is here to clear away the mists and usher in the cloudless sky ?hj You tire not he.e to sing : O brighten ye heavens! no longer entomb The land and the ocean in such a dense gloom. Come rays from the planet that shines thro' the storm, And scatters in triumph the clouds as they form. O close up the caverns, whence rushes the sir. Nor howl in defiance regardless of prayer: Rut let the mild breezes come forth from the West, And forest, and ocean, and river shall rest If tl e Queen had sent for you it would he right to go ; but this desire of leaving emanates from yourself. Do not despise i your children [in leaving them thus.] Daughters' rehearse for him the Song, and if ye can, setrc x oat h'n de.'li. Was it a light thing that he did in Bringing from a distant laud On board the vessel of the Waraki j The axe and o.her treaties? And what do we possess! •V bordered mat I it may be Lies within our basket ; and at Repo where the mists are circling Round the hills, another robe Js kept, reserved to wear when Warrior Chieftains of Tirangi tribe Sweep o'er the rippling tides in Carved canoes. Will rtangikahuim fill Up the void, and quell The foe .' And will he Diive away the restive Spirits from the land as Far as '1 airr.ahora's country llikuwai ? Then we may liask along the sandy shore Secure from harm. Friend, Do not persist in going hence Turn and reside amongst us. They speak from far and who can tell. Hut they may bind you with a spell, Nor loose you e'er again /

But is your heart so void of love, That you should their words approve. And make our pleadings vaiu J Son, there will he no man to perform the ceremony of taking off the tapu of this house, n Let Tangaroa o be seated high Upon the house now made ; And every evil then shall fly. And peaceful be its shade.

And Tup will turn with placid brow, Nor let the foe draw near j And love shall whisper then, as now, In ev'ry dewy tear.

Then let the house be sprinkled o'ei With water g from the brook So terror shall he felt to more. Within our village nook. If you are determined to leave, your vessel will r.ot he able to combat with the elements; neverthe ess you shall have thid charm to still the tempest :

Waves that rise as mountain* Bursting from the fountains Of the deep t Proud and angry billow, Where the sea-fowl pillow. Calmly sleep. Hawaiki's r foaming waters. Where our noblest daughters, Sang of yore. Where the Kawau s roameth, And the wild wind tnoaneth, Strive no more. Mighty, trackle3s, ocean, Ever in commotion, Gently reign. Stars, friendly, that were shining, Moon, thro' the mists declining, Wake again. You cannot love us, since you are determined to go. The people of Fort Nicholson strove to detain you, and we, the tribes here, are endeavouring to hold you back, but you will not stay. Is this so ? We thought that you would be to us in New Zealand as a lather, t Go then thou great one : the pride of the people. On the day that the great one shall depart, let him he escorted [by the tribes] and let his attendants bear him along to the tides of Madraiirae; u and father, when thou shall arrive at Waiariki, v return, return to U3. I tee him not. 1 see the foggy cloud above the mountains' Height, that harbinger of summer's balmy Morn, —but see him not. Haste Tiki with your guns, w throw Open wide your magazines, and pay 'I he homage due to such a Chief. My son ! e\ils in sacred lurk, and Friends are torn away by death or otherwise Hut the cause is neither seen, nor known By those who weep their absence. Come near my son, till I saluW Thee; for thou wilt take thy walks in Other climes, and robe thyself in richer Garments than the Maorics wear. Bring forth the feaihers of the Hula. That bird so prized that flits across The towering nils of Tararu. And bring the feathers of the Albatros*. That bird that skims along the Mountain wave; bring them to crowa

The brow of the loved one, going to The North to greet his fathers. And Thus arrayed sit at the entrance of thy Dwelling, and look on scene* more dear Perhaps to thee.

These are the names of the chiefs who addressed to you these friendly sentiments. (Signed) Eruera Wiremu Kahawal Rapata Paraona Ngamont Kioi« Wiremu Katene Hori Haupapa Waretini Pini is Korekore Iharafra Pikau Marino Hahaia 1e Kakau Te Iloki,

a The famous Inkes of Rotorua have been visited by many travellers and thes.: inland tubes thereby have been brought into much notice.

b This fear means that then: was a slight yielding at that Jims to the authority of the Government. c The various appellations used here are purely native ideas. Those who know this people will know also, that they are in the ha!)it of changing names, owing to various circumstances which transpire in their history, important events are thus recorded in a mere name. In dto: he trifles th re given to the Governor it may he very readily explained by informing the reader that the Rotorua tribes have ever professed yreat loyalty to the Queen and tn Her Majesty's representative in these Islands, and they were determined to show it on this occasion by soaring far above the other tribes in the choice of their appendages. d The Governor is here represented as the prieste This tuf*. ol" grc-en i» waved by the priest while he utters the prayer. / V Oi—a sea bird which congregate in vast numbers about the islet?, and creates quite a din with its croaking; notes when the evening is calm.

hj The clear stream and cloudless sky are metaphorical phrases used to denote the present peaceahlc state of tilings in New Zealand. The: waters becoming turbid means, that evils are liiialy to arise < ! uriity the absence of Sir George Giey. i The idea lure is that Sir George Grey has become disgusted with the conduct oi the Aborigines, hence his departure. j Waraki is the old Maori word used for foreigners. I During the rehearsal of this song, two mats, a bordered one and a dogskin were placed before the Governor by the deputation, which consisted of about 30 chiefs of note. The presentation of these mats was a mark of profound respect for the Governor.

m Colonel \Vynynrd is here meant. n This house means this island. One other part of the sentence means that the Governor discouraged heathen ri'.es by turning the tide of their thoughts to. other things. o Tangaioa's domains seem to be on the land as well as on the sea. He is said to be the revealer of secrets, it is necessary therefore for the safety of the inhabitants that he should be conciliated. Sir G. Gr r y is tupposed to have the power of a, peasing him. ji Tu—the god of war. q Water is sp.inkled upon the door posts, other uprights with the roof &c of newly built houses. There are also other performances and incantations by the priest. r The original country of the Mew Zealander. s A larjje sea bird.

f That is, would have remained in this country as a Father to direct us. u The ocean is here meant.

p Waiariki here means, Her Majesty the Queen of England.