A MAORI FEAST AT GREYTOWN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1676, 3 May 1884, Page 2

A MAORI FEAST AT GREYTOWN.

(From tho Standard) There was a large gathering of Maoris at the Foresters' Hall, yesterday afternoon'to partake of a sumptuous feast spread by the tradesmen of Greytown. During the last'three weeks about 350 Maoris of all ages have been on a visit to the township, being brought herb through bns'm&s connected with the Native Lands Court. • As the business of the Court wag drawing to a close it 'was thought a fitting opportunity to manifest the friendly relations existing between the Natives and Europeans of this locality. Mr Arthur Jones, of the Foresters' Arms Hotel, took the matter up with spirit, and carried it through with great tact, and storekeepers and others contributed in various ways to the success of the feast, There were donations of beef, porkers, mutto;), fowls, turkeys, hams, potatoes, bread, beer, and other good' things in abundance, and those who did not give in provisions did so in cash. During the early part of yesteiday Mr A. Jones, with assistants,. • decorated the' hall : with foliage and flags .and laid the tables across and down the large hall and the side room. At the hour of 3 p.m. the tables were ladfen with food and decorated with vases .of lowers. The get up of the whole aflair liad nioro the appearance of a luncheon for Europeans

than a feast for Maoris. When the doors were opened tlie men speedily filled the large hall, while the women wers accommodated in tho side room. The gallery was occupied by several .European ladies and gentlemen, who appeared to he greatly interested in watching the feast. In the sido room the women appeared to be enjoying • themselves- to tho full, ami there .could not have been less than 350 persona present. After dinner the tables were cleared and' Sam Mahapuka, with his fine roanlv voice, calledfor order and silence, Among those present as visitors.:was W, ft M.H.R., and of course it fell to him to make a speech. ' 'Mr Bucharik said: My Native and European friends, on occasions like tho present it is customary to say a few words before separating. I do not propose to give you : toast after toast today ; in fact till within- .half an hour since I did not think of saying anything on this occasion. But it has been suggested that I should, and I agree that,we should not-separate without giving expression to a wish, if not to a toast. Tlio wish which I should like to give expression to, and which I bow all will accord with, not' only here but throughout the colony isFrom henceforward peace and' goodwill shall reign between Natives aud Europeans in New Zealand.' (Great applause,) At various times and in various districts of New Zealand peaco and war have alternated, For my part, as a European, I am ready to confess that we have not on all occasions treated the Natives as they deserve. ' And I feel equally satisfied that the Natives are willing to accept that expression of sorrow, and no doubt admit also failure and sorrow on their own part. But whatever may have been the disturbances in other parts of;the North Island, there is one thing the Natives of this district can look back . upon with pleasure—and that is, that their connection with the Europeans in this district has been oncw of unbroken peace ' anfl goodwill. f|j r ' (Applause). - : If at any time there were threats of disturbance in this valley, it was through outside influenco and not through the natives in this district, They could now congratulate themselves upon the strength of mind that enabled them to keep at peace with the Europeans. (Hear, hear). The meeting' 1 which has taken place here to-day is only an expression of the same feoling - which exists in other parts of the district, and looking at what has taken'place at the Waikato, Taranaki, and the West Coast —looking to. the fact that the Native Minister and Minister., for Public Works have travelled through districts which havo never been opened before, we may safely predict that the wish I have given expression to will become an accomplished fact all through tho Island.—(Prolongedapplause.) I would say a few words with' regard to political matters.- It will be within tho recollection of the Natives that with regard to Native laws which were, passed in 1882 great objection was tauen to the effect they would havo upon the natives of this district. Mr Beethaih and myself, at the meeting with the Natives at Carterton, tried to explain that as soon as the Natives 1 , understood theso laws they would find ■that Mr Beetham and myself had'carried, out tho pledgo given and had not consented to the passing ; of any law but what would le beneficial to the Natives. With regard to the session of 1883 I would point out that the Native Committees Act has been passed, and also a Nativo Land Amendment Act. I was pleased to assent to the passing of the former, an Act which gives tho Natives power to deal with matters among themselves. This Act was a step towards putting Maoris and Europeans upon the same footing. With regard to the Native. Land Settlement Act I was not quite pleased with the whole of its contents, but I did my best to get it passed in a. form beneficial to Native interests, I now ask tho Natives whether the effects of these Acts have been beneficial. I will also ask you to join me in the wish we have already given expression 10. From henceforth peace and goodwill shall reign between tho 'Europeans and Natives of New Zealand. (Tremendous applause,) Three Maori speakers followed, and they expressed great gratitude |to Mr Jones and the European residents for the rich feast and courtesy shown them that day, and Mr Buchanan for his presence and remarks. The company then dispersed.