A KING ON HIS TRAVELS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1015, 30 March 1883, Page 3

A KING ON HIS TRAVELS.

_ The telegrams which we have received the Press Association at various times, have given us the impression that the Maori King was pursuing an unbroken course-of debauchery. It would seem, however, from the following paragraph, which we clip from the Hawhes Bay Herald, of the 21st inst., that the Press Association,; while so ready to chronicle the evil doings of Tawhiao, omit to mention anything in his favor. Here is the paragraph referred to The arrival of the Maori King Tawhiao at iWai-o-hiki was celebrated with great eclat , yesterday. Shortly after nine o’clock the Garrison Band left Napier in one of Mr Rymer’s drags, followed by several coaches and a large number of private carriages and horsemen, for Wai-o-hiki, where they were met at the Redcly.ffe bridge by the natives and welcomed. A procession was then .formed, and the cavalcade, which presented a very imposing appearance, marched to the Runanga house, where the king was located. After a ; shaking of hands and a general greeting on the part of both Europeans and natives, the hangis were uncovered and the inner man replenished. The band.then played some lively selections, and ''dancing' •lild - ' lowed. There could not have been less than 2000 persons present, including a large number of Europeans. The latter appeared to thoroughly enjoy the proceedings, which were most orderly, not a single case of drunkenness or rowdiness on the part of the natives being observable, The halca was perhaps more “ demonstrative ” than dances to which Europeans are generally accustomed, but, with this single exception, even the most fastidious conld have found nothing objectionable. The European visitors were hospitably entertained by Mr G. P. Donnelly, in whose hands the arrangements of the day were left. Various speeches were delivered during the day by Mrs G. P. Donnelly, the Rev. S. Williams, Captain Russell, Mr S. Locke, and by Tawhiao, Hauhaurn, Paora Toki, and others. Mr J. P. Hamlin acted as interpreter.”