A Noble Native Oration.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4446, 5 April 1883, Page 2

A Noble Native Oration.

Graham R. Taiwhai, a xpjing Maori chief, delivered a short dddress at the annual meeting of the Auckland Sundayschool TJnion last evening, in St. James' Hall. Mr Taiwhai js address was quite spontaneous. He was introduced to the meeting by the Chairman, Mr J. C. Firth. G. R. Taiwhai is a son of H. M. Taiwbai, M H.R. He spoke as follows : —Mr Chairman and Friends,-^! am exceedingly glad this evening for what I have got (a certificate of merit in the Sunday-school examination', Some of my young friends may say, " You are a big fellow, and you ought to have got a better prize." My, dear friends, I must tell you that this certificate which I hold in my hand gives me more happiness that if £20 or. £100 were put into my hand. (Loud applause.) I may explain to you the reason why I am so glad because I have got this. I got this because of- the Sunday school Union. You^kaow that about" 40 or 50 years* ago, this island had no religion, no God, and no Jesus ; but the ministers of the Gospel came out and preached'the Gospel to us natives. lamof a different colour to you, but in taking this certificate I have united with the white faces under the banner of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Applause.) Perhaps it may seem funny for me, who have only won a' certificate, to stand up and speak, but it seems to me that this certificate tells me something. Dear friends—girls and boys —we are taught to love the Lord Jeaus Christ, and to walk in the ways whice He has.: shown unto us, and He has led us to fight against strong drink. (Applause ) Now, perhaps, some of you may say that fighting against strong drink is not in. the certificate, but I say it is, because we are taught to love the Lord Jesus Christ aod, to fight against strong drink ; for, you know that some Christian people have been led away by strong drink, and Isay, therefore, let us boys and girls fight against strong drink. My father was a man who was fond of drink, and he us?d to waste most of his lands and money in strong drink. Being a chief, and the leader of his people, when they |saw him doing wrong, they were led to drink too. I told him he was doing wrong, and acting against the Holy Bible. We once went into the town of Hokianga, and he went into the hotel and got drunk, and I felt sorry . because he would not listen to me. It. cried, and told him to get on his horse. 1 then took hold of the bridle of the horse and led him into the bush where he could nofr'get any drink. I told him the 'drink would ruin him, his children, and his people. He then said he would give up the drink, which be did, aud afterwards became a very thoughtful man. He went up to the House (of Representatives) and did some good for his countrymen. I say the same to you boys and girls—alLbe united to fight against the devil and against this strong drink." (Loud applause.) The above report of Tawhai's speech is given almost in the precise words he -used. Tawhai received an English education at the Grammar School, and attends the Ponsonby Weslcyan Sunday School.