PROCEEDINGS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 548, 2 February 1878, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

[BY TELEGRAPH, from our SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

WHAKARIROA, Te KOPUA, Kinc; Country, Friday Evening.

The Ministers and party started from Alexandra this, forenoon, at half-past 9 o'clock, one portion proceeding in Major Te Wheoro's canoe, and the other, under the conduct of Te Wheoro, riding overland. The overland party arrived some time in advance, and were afforded a pretty picture in the huge canoe approaching like a great insect, with its enormous antennte waving in the wind, and its hundred feet keeping time to the wild chant of the natives stationed at the bow, in the centre, and at the stern, whose weird gesticulations gave tune to the plash of the paddles, the place of landing was a little above the junction of two rivers with the Waipa, and on the nearest point of the Kopua. An undulating country divided it from the lofty and picturesque range of the Pirongia—the scene of the murder of poor Todd. None of the Kinsr Country natives met the party at landing, etiquette prescribing that they should remain in their settlement, whither the united party of visitors, to the number of perhaps 100, wended their way through plantations of potatoes and maize. On approaohing the rendezvous, which is about half-a-mile from the river, the scene presented was a very animated and picturesque one. At the base of a low range stretched a semi-circle of tents, in front of which, seated on the ground, were some two thousand natives—men, women, and children —in every conceivable variety of costume. There was a perfect stillness as the band of visitors, with Sir George Grey and Ministry in front, marched slowly forward at some distance away. One of the sisters of the King came forward with a silver-mounted wand in her hand, followed at regular distances, by two more natives, bearing spears. The men sang a few words of a chant, but the women, although old friends of Sir George Grey of many years' standing, did not litter a word, but slowly led the way to the place of meeting. Then chairs were handed to the principal visitors, who sat down while a perfect stillness prevailed, the assembly all being seated on the ground, and the King stood in the centre leaning on a long stick like an alpenstock, preserving the immobility and something of the appearance of an Egyptian statue. At last an immediate relative of the King, dressed in black, and with a wonderful head-dress of ferns, came forward, and beating her lap slowly with a rod, chanted a plaintive dirge, which was joined in by two male supporters on the right and left, and ultimately by the greater portion of the assembly.' It was a "tangi" for old chiefs, the friends of Sir Qeorge Grey, now dead, and as the monotonous wail rose and fell on the air, there was a mild sympathy that was really affecting, for one could not help thinking of its being the wail of a people who had lost not only their country, but so many of their

clansmen. All this time Tawhiao preserved the same immovable attitude, look- 1 ing neither at his visitors nor his friends. « He appears a man of about 50 years of * age, very dark and deeply tatooed. He ' wore a binder of green flag around his * head, with a feather ; embroidered dark g waistcoat, and white shirt, and a t rather handsome shawl around his „ loins like a kilt. He had also \ a green binder round his waist. After f the tangi there were Hau-hau prayers j with responses, after which there was a t long silence. The King throughout all c this maintained the same immovable atti- 1 tude. At length, standing as he was, and ' at first without altering his attitude, he J spoke the address of welcome to Sir ] George Grey given below, and again sue- I ceeded an interval of silence. Then the , chief Tapihana, an old man with a grey beard and hair, standing in front of the King, who had resumed his statuesque attitude, addressed a speech of welcome to Sir George Grey. After a long interval of silence, in which the visiting party assumed the still and impassive manner of their host, Sir George Grey rose and replied in Maori, after whioh the chief To Ngakau, an aged man, with short grey hair, and with a sack-cloth-like scarf around his shoulders, spoke an address of friendship and welcome, concluding with a song. Then, at a signal from the last speaker, the assembly scattered, tho speaking for the present being ended, and operations were at once in active preparation for feeding the visitors. Several hours were spent in cooking and feasting, the two parties keeping apart from one another; but the King natives, in the most lavish hospitality, coming forward with great solemnity and heaping up great piles of food in front of their Maori visitors. Baskets of cooked "spuds," slain and quartered pipis (strung liko beads), many scores of baskets of potted meat, and piles of dried shark thrown clown and rattling like dried stioks. Appropriate food was also forwarded to the Europeans of the party. The afternoon was given to festivities. The day has been beautifully suitable, with a gentle wind and clouded sky. It was understood that the first day should, ho glvon to feasting and weloomo; business to-morrow. Sir George Grey and the lion. Mr. Sheehan and a few : others remain to-night, and four tents have been set up for their accomodation. Most of the party return to-night to Alexandra. It is expected that a long private interview will take place to-night between the Premier and Tawhiao. 1.30 p.m. The following was sent by a second special messenger ;—At the meeting Tawhiao said, Welcome, welcome, welcome, come to those who have called you many ; times. Come, bringing with yon your rules. Come and see what ours are. I The inevitable must be endured. Do not think of the alterations, that have taken place. Come and see. Come, oh father. Come, come, oome, oh Grey. You bring ? healing. Listen, oh listen ; this is Gover- ' nor Grey (turning his head towards his people). Oh, come, father of tho poople. I Salutations to you (very long pause). p Tapihana then stood up and said, \Veli come, welcome, welcome. Come to Waihingatata. Come to my relatives. Come and see your people, my elder brother, my father, my parent. Come, come, ! come, erect and lift your eyes, and look [ around- Come to Waihingatata, the place i of abode of "Wemiku. Come over the sea ' sailing on the great ocean of Kiwa, over the great sea'of Tawi, until you have ] reached the land of Tawhiao. Come ashore. Welcome. Come to me. Come to your fatherPotat.au. Come. Greeting to you. (Turning to the tribes.) This is Sir - George Grey. There lie is come to the place"of onr abode, and hero he sits. He has come to our villages. The speaker then sat down, Tawhiao remained standing. The Premier, after some minutes, stood up. The natives were immediately i all attention. He spoke in Maori as d follows : Oh, my friends, 1 greet' you r all. I sympathise with you all. r Greetings to Tawhiao, and all the descend- - ants of Potatau, my friend who is dead. b I greet yon all. the chiefs and tribes of si Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto, the representatives of our friends who have dcs parted this life. I goet you chiefs and all - the people of Ngatimaniapoto and t Waikato. I greet you all, also the reprei sentatives of all my friends who have :1 departed this life, I gvcet yon all. The f Premier then sat down. To Ngakau then !i said—Welcome, welcome to Waikato. s Come and see the troubles that surround t us. Come that we may see each other y face to face, the faces that have been left e by those who have gone into darkness. e Come and see your father. Come that t we may look at and into each other's eyes ; , that we may look at you, and you may 1 look at us. Come to me and the repre--3 sentatives of your friends, Come and f bring great thought. (Song.) Welcome, i come with your friends. That is all now. i It is ended. The speaker then finished. s This part of the proceedings ended about } noon. The people then rose. The King's 1 sister and another came and shook hands : with Sir George Grey. Tents are now i being pitched and food preparing. , Among the natives assembled with the King were some chiefs from a great distance—Napier, Taranaki, &c. Of the - two great tribes there were present:—Of i Ngatimaniapoto, the Chiefs llewi, Hanau, , Patamai, Tani, Tuku, Tu Korehu, Te 5 Kangita, and Huarai ; and of the Wai- ; kato there were present—Tawhiao, ManuI whiri, Patera, Te Maiohou, Hoani, and , Te Mahia. I should add that though the , ceremonies of to-day were exceedingly ; formal and of a staid character, the re- • ception and welcome are regarded by the friendly natives and Europeans as being very : cordial, the highest anticipations being i formed of complete and permanent peace. . Among those accompanying the Premier was Mr. Marshall Wood, the eminent sculptor. Most of the party came into Alexandra for the night, leaving three Ministers and an interpreter, who camps on the field, and will have a private interview with Tawhiao and the chiefs. It is expected that talking in public of a more practical kind will be resumed in the morning.