A MAORI BANQUET.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1140, 16 February 1884, Page 3

A MAORI BANQUET.

Tawhaio, the Maori ki ; ig, Tu Tawhaio, his son, V7i Te Wheor J M.H.R., and the rest of the party wl o have come down from Waikato, were entertained at dinner on Wednesday at the Auckland Hotel by the Rev. W, Pomate and Te Hemare, of Mahurangi. After dinner, the Rev. W. Pomare, who occupied the chair, rose to propose the first toast. He was apparently in some some little difficulty about the order, but at length he compromised by proposing "The health of the Queen and King." He hoped they would both long be spared to reign over and to take care of the Maoris and Europeans. The toabt was drunk cordially, all standing, but not noisily, there being no "Jolly good fellow" business. Tawhaio then passed several times up and down the room. Apparently he did not feel his dignity hurt by being placed after the Queen, and no doubt he is willing to give precedence to her as a lady. He said—l am moved, and my heart is breaking on account of the sentiment I feel. lam a dark-skinned man, and my utteranses are* dark also, but let us all be equal, Maoris and Europeans. If I pass away without carrying out my projects, then those who come after me will surely be able to do something for the wellbeing of my people. Although my face is black, yet my heart is like jasoer. ' desire in all my actions to adhere to great principles. I shall journey onward myself and with my fons (these are my sons sitting here). I shall cross the great ocean that lies between this and England. I will go in the canoes Te Eparangi and Te Aturehia, because they belong to your ancestors. (These are two canoes belonging to the Ngateratau, and probably Tawhiao meant that he was goi"g for the cause of the M<ori people). The great thing for us all is to adhere steadfastly to principle. As for the old lady to whom you have referred, it is quite right you should speak of her in connection with myself. I am the same as those great men Te Eawau and Te Hemare. All the great ancestors of the people have disappeared from the face of the earth, and only these are left. I say, let us all stand on the same level, whether we be white or black. Te Hemare again proposed ''Thehealth of the Queen and of Tawhiao. May they both be preserved and keep together and protect the Maori people and Pakehas for ever and ever (ake, ake, ake,") Te Wheoro spoke a few words and the proceedings terminated.t