THE MAORI KING MOVEMENT.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 101, 8 October 1858, Page 3

THE MAORI KING MOVEMENT.

(From the Wellington Independent, September 25.) HONIANA PUNl's BANQUET.

On last a considerable number of natives and a few Europeans assembled at Pitone, to partake ofthe bounty ofthe venerable chief E Puni. Apart from the "eating,-drinking, and making merry," the main object of the meeting was to consider the course to be pursued in reference to the Maori King movement, now commanding so much attention amongst the northern tribes. A compact and comfortable booth, one hundred and sixty feet long by thirty, wide, having thatched sides and tent roof, had been erected for the reception of the guests. The culinary operations were conducted partly in the open air, and partly under shelter of a commodious kitchen contiguous to the entrance of the booth. The tables were covered with new white cloths, and. spread in true imitation ofthe European style. The viands were various and abundant, but pork struck us as being the favored joint. The ground was spread with new mats made of green flax, and abundant light proceeded from ten wooden chandeleers, which were profusely decked with evergreen decorations. At 6 p.m. three hundred well dressed guests seated themselves at the tables, and displayed much of the laudable zeal common to the Maori on such occasions. Suffice it to say that many a noble joint looked very foolish ere the occupants of the lower tables vacated their seats for the accommodation of those who, for want of room, had patiently awaited their turn outside, under the cooling influence of a smart shower of rain. Wines and beer were largely supplied, and,.as far as we could judge, freely imbibed. From the general appearance, too, of the tables at the termination of the repast, we may safely assume that, the dishes were well dressed. Several of the European visitors, owing to the crowded state of the booth, retired to the neat parlor of E-Puni's new house, where they were bountifully provided for. We must not forget to notice the plum pudding, the quality of which was pronounced by all unmistakably good. Dinner having ended, a short interval elapsed, during which the tables were cleared, and the boeth crowded to excess.

Honiana Puni then rose to address a silent and attentive audience! In a short and complimentary speech he alluded to the Maori King movement, intimating his intention to take no part in the matter, but to leave it entirely at the disposal of the meeting. He concluded with a suggestion that Wiremu Tako should be made Governor, and Ropiha Moturoa crowned King. We learn, however, that the latter was intended as a sarcasm, the object thereof having grumbled much that the choice of Governor had fallen on Tako in lieu of himself.

Wiremu Tako then rose, and prefaced his Speech by reading a letter from Piri Kauvvan, Sir George Grey's Secretary.- He urged his friends to take an active part in the movement which now engaged their attention. He predicted the inevitable decline of the Maori race unless they make some great effort to raise themselves above their present condition, and devise some plan whereby to secure an advancing prosperity. lie compared the Maori race to an unhatched chicken endeavoring tb burst the enveloping shell. When the chicken fails to effect this it dies ami decomposes, fie compared the present movement to the struggles of the ensconced chicken seeking to obtain freedom, and retaining the simile proceeded to illustrate the effect of a failure. As far as he was individually concerned, he would use every effort to thrust his beak through the shell, and he urged tliemceting to co-operate with him. He would have it understood that he entertained no ill-feeling towards the Pakeha,—on : the contrary, he had always been a bullet for the Pakeha's gun, a tongue for the Pakeha's Governors, and a guest at. the Pakeha's table. He' would not conceal his intentions.from the Pakeha, but he would openly explain to them his views. He did not wish to wrest any power from the hand of the Pakeha, but merely to assist in the administration of public affairs. The two races having now become identified, he did hot know why the Maori should not assist in framing laws for the government •of their own common country. In conclusion he entreated all who were so inclined to rise and freely disclose their thoughts on the subject. ~ Wiremu Tako was followed by R6piha Maturoa, who in a few words expressed himself favorable to the King movement. Te Wherowhero had been made King at the north, and why should not the tribes of the south also have a King ? He knew that many were waiting to speak after him, and would not therefore occupy any further tiihe.

Mr. W. Buller, the interpreter, then addressed the meeting at some length, urging them' to be very cautious in any steps they might contemplate; inasmuch as a blunder is much more easily made than rectified : and a false step often details disastrous consequences. He reminded them that they owed their present improved condition to the wise provisions of the British laws, and that any infringement thereof can result only in injury to themselves; that the Maori race has always been treated by the settlers with consideration and justice; and to take any. steps which might disturb the friendly feeling now existing between the two races, wouldi be to pick a quarrel with their best friends. He proceeded to shew theny that the interests of the races are identical, and that the laws ofthe one are equally adapted to the wants and requirements of tlie other; and that while they remain under the protection of, and continue to maintain, British law, the prosperity of the one

race cannot f.iil to involve-the prosperity of the* other. He remarked" that the mere appointment of a Governor or a King would not improve their condition; .but that if they would secure a name amongst the nations of the earth they must seek and acquire knowledge,-for that after all is the only true test of a people's greatness. Hitherto unbroken silence had been preserved throughout the meeting, but the last speaker was several times interrupted by enthusiastic applause; thus clearly shewing that the most perfect goodwill is entertained by the natives towards the settlers, and that the suspicious view which some have taken of this Maori King movement is entirely groundless.

Several speeches by influential chiefs followed, all of whicli breathed a friendly spirit towards the Pakeha, and supported the Maori King idea. Mr. Renall then proposed in a short and neatly expressed speech the health of " Honiana Puni, the friend of the wliite man." His words were interpreted to the meeting, and the toast was loudly responded to. E Puni replied in a long and enegetic oration. Ho declared that he always had been and always will be the while man's true friend. He recalled the past when he for the first time gazed with wonder on a brig which had anchored off New Plymouth. He told the meeting how, astonished and affrighted, he fled inland.; and how he gradually gained confidence, and approached the white stranger, and held out to him the hand of friendship, which he has never yet withdrawn. Many summers had passed away since then, but he had remained faithful to the Pakeha. He assisted the first" settlers to land at Wellington, and had always been recognised as their. friend. He scorned to acknowledge Te Wherowhero as his King, nor would he allow- himself to be made King here. He had identified himself with the Pakeha, and felt no need of a Maori King. '.' That should they persist in appointing a King, they%iust choose some one else, ashe declined the honor. These disparaging remarks had evidently the effect of a chill over: the ■meeting; and when we left (about one o'clock a.m.) Wiremu Tako, the prime mover, was vociferating foi til an animated harrangue with a view to revive the abating interest.

We understand that about twenty other speakers addressed the audience in much the same style a3 above, and the meeting was adjourned after daylight, nothing definite having been arrived at. Business was. resumed afc an early hour in the forenoon", and the proceedings terminated about threo o'clock p.m. The assemblage dispersed, evidently highly pleased and thoroughly satisfied ; but having accomplished nothing beyond the mere refusal to recognise Te Wherowhero as their King, and an unanimous resolution to hold another suck festival afc Waiwhetu in the course of a few months.