SIR GEORGE GREY AT PAPAWAI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5276, 21 February 1878, Page 3

SIR GEORGE GREY AT PAPAWAI.

(From the Wairarapa Standard, 12th Inst.) Ou Friday evening Sir George Grey, accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, the Hou. Hoani Nahe, and Mr. Grace, Native Interpreter, arrived at Featherston, where every room and every bed were more than fully occupied ou account of the races. A more inconvenient week, and, as it happened, a less convenient day than Friday, could not have been chosen. But when Sir George Grey telegraphed from New Plymouth his intentions, he was not aware that the annual race meeting of the Wairarapa Jockey Club would come off at the very time his meeting with the Wairarapa natives was appointed to be held. Owing to the non-arrival of Mr. Sheehan Sir George Grey was detained in Wellington until Friday, though he had been expected by the natives on Tues lay, who persisted in expecting his arrival until convinced by the logic of facts of their error. Their being no suitable accommodation for Sir George Grey at Featherston, he was kindly driven to the seat of Mr. C. Pharaz.n at Lougwood, where he was hospitably received, and found excellent accommodation. _ Early on Saturday morning a coach with six greys, bearing fl igs, and conveying several Maori chiefs, proceeded under the skilful guidance of Mr. James Macara to Featherston, and returned to Greytown with the distinguished visitors about ten o’clock, from whence they at once went on to Papawai, a native village about two miles distant, accompanied by a number of settlers in carriages or on horseback. A triumphal arch had been erected at the gateway leading to the residence of the principal native chief, Manihera ; and fiat's, banners, and streamers decorated the house and the other buildings in its vicinity. On arriving at their destination Several hundred natives, consisting of men, women, and children, raised three hearty cheers for Sir Geort'e Grev, who was evidently much moved by the cordiality of his reception. Breakfast was provided in a large room, which had been handsomely papered, furnished, and decorated expressly for the occasion, the whole arrangements reflecting credit on Mrs. Burch, who did the honors of hostess for the day, and to whom they had been specially confided. Among the chiefs present, besides Manihera, we noticed Henare Tomina, Te Ketemana, Te Koru, Tikawenga, Hikawera, Wi Waka (the Hauhau), Pearururia, llanihera, and Ngautere, the latter of whom was the only one dre'sed in native costume, and even he X, re a black Parisian hat adorned with white feathers. Chairs were provided for Sir G. Grey and suite on the verandah, while the natives, men and women, some squatting on the ‘'round, and others standing, formed a crescent in front. The speeches made were chiefly of a congratulatory nature ; they all expressed satisfaction at the Premiers presence, and their gratification in being afforded the opportunity of once more seeing him in their midst. The only favor they asked was that a school should be established for their children. , . , Sir George made, m Maori, an appropriate reply, and after thanking them for the cordiality of their welcome, and referring to his former visit, now many years ago, he expressed his gratification on hearing that they desired to have their children educated after the manner of Europeans, and promised that a school should be at once provided. Manihera then stood up, aud expressed his confidence in Sir George Grey, aud bis pleasure at seeing him at his house. Walking backwards and forwards in the Maori manner, he sung a song of welcome, most of the natives joining in the chorus, and again stampin'' his foot on the ground he said, “ I will not for'' t the old times, I will welcome Kawana Grey.” Throe cheers followed this sentiment from most of the natives present. Manihera concluded his speech by the gratifying assurance that the Wairarapa natives would give Up the lake to Sir George Grey to arrange for the good of both races aud of all parties interested. The Hon. Mr, Sheehan then addressed the meeting in Maori. He explained to them that Sir George Grey would have to leave Wellington on Monday for the South Island, but that he himself would return to them, and endeavor to arrange any little matters of dispute between them and the Government or the Europeans, more especially with r-oard to a right of road at Te Ore Ore, and the site of the bridge near Tupurupuru. He considered the offer they had made to leave the Wairarapa Lake question in the hands of the Premier the best course they could take under the circumstances. Noatuere, who remained, at the commencement of his address, seated, spoke strongly against Sir George Grey leaving them so "soon. They had come long distances in order t,, «ee him, and if he went away now the natives would go away too, and it would be difficult to get another meeting. bir George Grey, through Mr. Grace, expressed his regret at having to leave them so soon Ho did not know anything about the h when he consented to pay them a visit, or he V o dd have chosen a more favorable time. It had been long in his mind to pay them a vi i , but owing to the absence, at the lr "inning of the week, of Mr. Sheehan up the VVJ, Goast, and folds arrangements to visit tb( Mid lie' Island, ho could not possibly prolong his stay now, but might do so by-aud-bye.

BCe reminded them that in the tilth fathers the daughter of a great chief was in danger of being torn to pieces in consequence of the number and ardor of her admirers, who came from great distances in order to capture their prize ; and that he found himself in the position of the Maori maiden, being wanted in so many places at the same time. Loud laughter followed this allusion, and after shaking hands with all the chiefs, their wives and well-dressed and exceedingly ue Iconduct,d daughters. Sir George hurried to the coach which had been some t me waiting for him, Mr, Sheehan promising to return on Monday.