AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 229, 9 October 1847, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

Visit to "Te Rauparaha".— On Wednesday, most of the* principal chiefs from the Thames and Coromandel Harbour who have been assembled at Mechanics', Bay since Friday evening last, quitted their encampment, with their wives, children, relations, and dependants, and proceeded to pay their promised formal visit to "Te Rauparaha/' at his official residence on the hillj' leaving one' of their chiefs and a few women.?, and children to look after the tents and baggage at the Bay. As the tribes approached Te Rauparaha's grounds that aged "chief advanced a few paces from his lodge to greet them, and after the customary salutations, the whole sat down in a sort of semi-circle* leaving a considerable space vacant in the centre. Most of the visitors were attired in clean blankets, several in mats of the native manufacture, and others in dog skin cloaks and mantles, nearly all having their heads decorated with pigeon feathers, interspersed with feathers 'of the ouhnia* and tui; Te Rauparaha wore a gold laced forage cap and blanket. Aftor a short time passed in silence, Te Rauparaha addressed his assembled friends. So figurative is the native language, and so difficult of a literal comprehension are the effusions of the most celebrated native orators, even to those who pretend to a tolerable acquaintance with the Maori tongue as used in ordinary discourse, that we cannot assume to interpret literally any particular portion of this or the other chiefs' harangues. But judging from his animated gestures, and a few words caught here and there, Te Rauparaha's speech would seem to have combined a recital of some of his warlike deeds—an explanation of the circumstances which, led to -his captivity, his present apprehensions, his (uture hopes, and a thankful welcome to his assembled friends. " Tereia" spoke next. He seemed to deride T Rauparaha— he seemed to reproach him for his captivity — he adverted with triumph to scenes of former days — " When tyrant Custom had not shackled man ; And wild in woods the noble monster ran." And as he imitated the loading and discharges of artillery, the rush, the spring, the fall of the prostrate foe, — his eye lightened, his arras were tossed wildly to and fro, his whole person and gesture exhibited a striking display of savage ferocity. Just then a little Maori boy happened to run behind and got accidentally struck by the chieftain's arm. Instantaneously his presence of mind returned. He affectionately drew the little fellow to him,' and finding he -was not hurt, gently placed him aside, and then went on with his speech, but in a manner evidently more subdued, although some allusions 'were made to the still mysterious land and tobacco business. Te Whero Whero then rose, and in a mild and persuasive tone seemed to repel all that Tereia had uttered so vehemently. The majestic figure of this chief was truly noble. His graceful action (the right arm bare and extended) and his expressive utterance would have dignified a civilized, assembly. His words seemed to fall like balm upon the wounded spirits of those whose dormant passions Tereia's violent harangue was calculated to arouse. The venerable Ho followed in a similarly soothing strain. Hechaunted a song of welcome — often repeating a line of which seemed to approximate to some expression such as this — " Come hither ! Come hither, my friend, my father ! !" Tereia spoke again and again — but seemed every time of speaking to be growing more and more jocular. Te Rauparaha and some of those about him occasionally responding without rising. Waitere, Pataiki, and several others, addressed the assembly from time to time, pacing backwards and forwards as they spok^, and using abundance of gesticulation, according to the native custom. During the whole time, those who were not among tfoe orators listened ' gravely and decorously, sitting or lying on the ground, some^ smoking their pipes, others partaking, of a quiet game at cards, (" all fours" being their favourite, but no betting,) while the children gambolled playfully among the different group*. Time wore on in this way until past two o'clock when dinner made its appearance, consisting chiefly of an abundant supply of boiled dumplings, served up in mats, with ,no other sauce than a hearty appetite, and no racier liquors than copious draughts of rhrystal water from the neighbouring spring. To this simple fare these "rough nature's children" did ample justice, and after a few more ceremonials, nearly all took their leave, and retired merrily to their encampment at the Bay. Te Rauparaba when the festival had concluded retired into the house, set apart for his use by the Government. He seemed ill at ease, and his constitution is breaking up fast. Persons who knew him years ago conclude him to be now considerably past 70 years of age. Te Whero Whero, Tereia, Ho, and Matutohi, all in remarkable possession of physical and mental powers, have each probably filled man's allotted space long sinee — but instances of longevity are not rare in New Zealand. There is, or lately was, a maori woman

at the B»y of Islands, who knew Captain Cook Governor Grey, it is understood, has offered Te Rauparaha his choice of going, to the Thames or Waikato under the other chiefs' guarantee for his future peaceful demeanour; but it does not appear likely at present that he will avail himself of the offer. It is also said to be at his Excellency's invitation that his relations and friends have now come to see him, and satisfied themselves of his fair treatment.

Bat of Islands, Five- Men Drowned. — We are sorry ta have to record the death by drowning of five men belonging to the Juno, steamer, at the Bay of Islands, on Sanday the sth instant. It appears that Thomas Atherton, chief engineer, Thomas Cotton, second ditto, James Henderson, stoker, George Church, (alias the Whisperer), and average passenger, a foreigner, proceeded in a dingy from the steamer's anchorage at Whapu, to Kororarika, where they became intoxicated ; and on returning to the , vessel the boat was upset, and they were- all drowned^ of the bodies, that of the first engineer, tiad, been found at the time that the Inflexible sailed from the Bay. ' '