CARDINAL MORAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 52

CARDI NAL MORAN.

ROTORUA, February 18. Two thousand people assembled at the railway station to-night, many under the impression that the Prime "Minister was arriving. Many were presejrt» however, to extend a welcome to" Cardinal Moran. Cardinal Moran received a great reception. The town band played on the approach, of the train, and Bean - Lightheart welcomed! him. The -Maori chief Meta Taupopoki also, welcomed him on behalf of the Maoris, of whom a large number we represent. The Cardinal was driven to the Grand Hotel,, the procession being headed by the town band, followed by a large concourse of people. A public address will be presented to the Cardinal to-morrow. ROTORtJA, February 19. Cardinal Moran was accorded a magnificent reception at Tamatekapua this morning by the Natives. A large number of j Europeans- were present, those nob belonging to tE» Catholic Church being present by invitation, owing, to the limited accommodation in the big Maori house. At &.20 a.m. Hia Eminence, escorted by a bodyguard of some 50 Maori warriera in full war paint, was received! by a large concourse of Natives, who performed a dance of welcome, waving green bushes in their hands. All adjourned tc* the interior of the big meeting house, where addresses were presented by the Catholics of the town. Both European and Maori speeches were made by the high chiefs of the tribes, wel- ' coming His Eminence, as, one Native said, as the "eye of the Pope,."* great enthneiasm being displayed by the large number of Natives present. Cardinal Mbran, vAk* on tusing waa srroeted with. Loud acclamations, thanked them all for/ their kind' expressions of tow , and devotion. Tbe Maori race was a noble i and industrious one, and hie earnest praye» was that it would be preserved for all timev He had a great love for the Maori people and would continue to d*> so* -At th«. conclusion of the- ' Cardinal's .remarks -a dozen girls danced the Exhibition. Poi dance, which pleased His Bmmence grea%. Archbishop Redwood, Bishop Qal- | laheir,. and Bishop O'Connor also spoke-. i Mbneignor O'Reifly a»dt Dean Lightheart i acted as interpretera. At H3& the function was brought to a olose. It can be safely said thai; not since the- visit of the puke of York has such enthusiasm been displayed by' the Natives. - Among those present were Goun£ Morne*, Mr Birks (engineer in charge of the Tourist Department), representatives of the various, ohurches in town, 'and representatives of various business* places. • Accompanying the addresses were framed! local views." The Europeans* address -wasacepmpanied by a bird's eye view, of Jtotoru», surrounded with pictures of the Cartholio Churtth, the intexlor of the church, Rotcxttfi, Dean Lightheart (parish priest), the convent school' children/ and the sisteia. o£ Joseph's. \ l •. Accomparxving the, Maori address were pictures of Txmatekfepua, six -Maori chiefs, Maori carvings, amd & Maon cooking place.AUCKLAND, February 2*. Cardinal Moran and party left by the Victoria on their *eturn to Sydney this evening ' . Speaking; at the dinner accorded to him la*t evening, • Cardinal Moran, speaking with reference to th« Maori people, whose ncibleness of character and. beauty of lan- ' siudge could, he- s^.id, scarcely fee surpassed by any other race, expressed" a hope, that tbeltaee would be preserved and their- language handed down. It would be a terrible thing on" the part of the 2Tew- Zealand Government to allow such a race 'fo perish and their language to be forgotten. He congratulated the 'people of New; Zealand on their grand Government, developed along the lines of a sound democracy.

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