THE MAORI ADDRESS AND BEPLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1161, 19 May 1869, Page 2

THE MAORI ADDRESS AND BEPLY.

This is a word of welcome and congratulation to your R.H. from us the MTrcnrhr, ._fb,„t>U' -» 6 i>hv fttrathcm portion of this Island of New Zealand. Welcome hither, illustrious visitor. Welcome hither, priceless jewel, in love to us and our island. "We most heartily congratulate you upon having come hither to this island in the authority of your illustrious ancestors, which has from them descended to, and is now borne by your Royal Mother. We are also glad that you now have an opportunity of hearing from ourselves of our great sor» row on account of this long warjr which is destroying the pakeha and Maori ; there • are many of the main tribes who are anxious that the war should cease, and that the two races, the Maori and pakeha, should live in peace with each other. The only way we have hitherto had of testifying- the homage we pay to your Royal Mother, the Queen, has been in living under the authority of the great Queen all through this long war up to this present time, when we have the honor of beholding you. Welcome hither, Son, a priceless posession for this land of New Zealand. May God protect you. The tribes who present this address to your Royal Highness are six, viz : — Ngatitoa, Ngatiawa, Ngatiraxjkawa, W_L__rGA_nn, NoATiKOHTTNauinr and Ngatipoeou. 0 my friends, — It is with no ordinary feelings of gratification and of interest, that I find myself for the first time on the shores of New Zealand — your beautiful and interesting country. 1 am indeed deeply touched by -the cordiality with which I have been, welcomed by the Maori tribes inhabiting this Southern portion of the North Island of New Zealand. •■*- For the address which you have presented to me, I beg you to accept the hearty thanks, which in the name of Her Majesty, my mother, and of ibhe Boyal Family, I offer you. „•■; Be assured that the Queen will receive with no little satisfaction the account of my reception amongst you, proving, as it does, that her feelings toward the Maori subjects are met on their part by the most devoted and loyal attachment to Herself, her Throne and FamUy. ] ".\~ J It is the most earnest "' wish of your Qneen that by the blessings of a God Almighty war, may cease for ever between the Maori and pakeha, that these two raeos may live in peace and harmony together, and that within the limits of New Zealand two races of different colour, lauguage and habits, may be united in the same legislature by a common loyalty, and bound, ,to the same institution by a common patriotism. Once more., O friends, receive my .beartfclt thanks, and when I am separated "r om you by t housands of miles^ or ocean, ;bink of 'the 5 Mim of -your Queen j%ho irays for your prosperity and happiness. Signed Altbed. \