MONGONUI.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 350, 1 March 1861, Page 3

MONGONUI.

The following is the speech of his Excellency the Governor to the Rarawa tribe; on Saturday, February 16th, 1861, at Mongonui:— , ' Friends, the Chiefs of the Rarawa,—lt affords me much pleasure to make your acquintance, and to hear such a good account of you from your Resident Magistrate, Mr. White, and yourot her European friends.^ I regrst that I have not had an earlieropportunity of seeing you; but the various, accounts of your conduct and proceedings have been so satisfactory that I felt sure that you, as a tribe, did not require my presence to ensure your loyalty to the Queen. Ido not forget the aid you afforded the Government in past times, and 1 Jully recognise the fact that you, as a people, have never shed the blood of au European. - It was the constant injunction ol one ot your good old chiefs—noble; Panakareao—that you should live in peace with the ' pakeha.' This was a wise injunction, which I feel assured will always be borne in mind by his people and descendants. No doubt, you hear many reports of ray'intentions toward you; but you may feel assured that my desire is to see you enjoy peace and the fruits ot your industry, living with the English as a happy and united people. sjr - - I regret to hear that .many deaths have -taken ___-„ nlace nmong you. I trust that, by adopting Jjah*; " of indust^ and cleanliness, by buUdnig better houses, umV&<>» wholesome food, and wearing better clothing, you'^J *Vert. many of the diseases incident to your presen<SsgPditlon. ——-^ I am glad that I can tXv^vaiook to this the most northerly part of the island, 23-one in which the people are really well-disposed and friendly; in whose words I can place full reliance and confidence. I mayrfurther add, that if all the. New Zealand tribes were to act as you do, theie would be rib necessily. for war in this island. I am informed- by Mr. White, that you refer your disputes and differences to the courts of law. You could not afford a better proof of your'own advancement than this—obedience to the law ia the first great step in the right road. The law protects the#eak from the aggression of the strong, and extends equal justice to all. You must, yourselves, perceive how much wiser it is to resort to law for a settlement of disputes, than to have recourse, as of old, to war for redress of wrongß," involving frequent loss of life.. England would, never have been such a great nation as you know it•• is, if its people were nofc^ubject to law and - order. • .",-'. Hoping that you will hot relax in tha observance of your religious duties—which, after all,'axe of the highest importance—l bid you farewell, and sincerely trust that I may heav of yourcpnAinued. welldoing'and prosperity v •_ /- '> > v