NATIVE DINNER AND PRESENTATION TO MR JAMES MACKAY, JUN. (Communicated.)

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 330, 25 June 1874, Page 2

NATIVE DINNER AND PRESENTATION TO MR JAMES MACKAY, JUN. (Communicated.)

The Ngntihauas being desirous before Mr Mackays departure to shew their sense of his administration of affairs in the Waikato, invited him to a dinner at Tamahore. The dinner was held at Te "Hakiriwhi's house, on Saturday, the 13th instant. The- entertainment was most excellent, and the good taste shewn by the natives in the arrangements mode for the entertainment of their guests, consisting of 50 natives and 12 Europeans, would have reflected credit on our European community. Te Hakiriwhi was chairman and spoke in his usual dignified and gentlemanly manner, and Rihia as vice-chairman, supported him well. Those who were outside the dinner-room conducted themselves in the most orderly manner; they seemed to recognise the importance of the occasion. They, doubtless, felt that in the losing of Mr Mackay they would lose one who, however, ready to check any disposition to riot on the part of the nntives, was equally co to listen to any just demands at their hands. Te Hakiriwhi, as chairman, proposed in suitable terms the toasts— c Tho Queen;' ' The Royal Family ;' 'Sir James Fergusson,' and, in a short and telling speech, in which, he called the attention of all to the unremitting exertions of Mr Mackay, during his residence in the district, for tho preservation of order. He proposed that gentleman's health which was cjordially drank by all present, amongst whom, as guests, were several cf the leading settlers. Te Hakiriwhi again spoke, and in presenting the piece of plate to Mi 1 Mackay, referred shortly to the services rendered by Mr Mackay to the colony. He had known him, when he (Mr Mackay) was Native" Commissioner, some six years ago, and had always found him upright and just in hii dealings with the natives, and on every occasion ready to assist them. The Maoris all appreciate Mr Mackays abilities and look upon him as a wise councillor, and up to him as to a father. His extreme care and justice in allotting land, settling tbe numerous squabbles between , the Jicqpus when sitting as Commissioner in tho Compensation Court, appointed to apportion land to those natives who had not borne arms agaiast' the Queen was fully recognised, and although impulsive to a fault, his sense of justice always drew the scale to the right side. During his administration of affairs as Government Agent in the district, Mr Mackays prompt and decisive action, and his vigorous measures had most undoubtedly, saved us from drifting into another struggle with the Xingites. In presenting him with tho piece of plate, he trusted, that trifling as the token might appear, Mr Mackay would receive it as a proof that the natives wore not unmindful of what he had done, nor ungrateful for the constant kindness with which he had treated them, ■' Mr Mackay in returning thanks for the manner in which his health had been drunk, expressed himself gratified at finding so many at the enterl ainment that evening, and at tho knowledge that they recognised his endeavors for the goo<J of every one, whether European or Maori. He hoped that harsh as some measures may have appeared the natives would* thoroughly "understand that lie had taken no steps but such as appeared to him actually necessary. The manner •in which tbeyhad conducted themselves towards their European neighbors, and the result, showed that if their examplo were followed by other portions of the native race in this district, there would be in a short time that thoroughly cordial understanding between tho two races that is so desirable, and that we hnve so anxiously endeavored to establish, antl that in spite of the difference of color we should not be known as pakehas and Maoris, but as the people of New Zealand. Though n portion of their tribe still keep themselves aloof frdftt the Europeans, ho yet trusted that their good sense wiHlhduce them to join again and form one ehtirfi tribe. - . -. Eihia proposed the health of the European guests, coupled with Major Drummond Hay's name. In responding Major \Druinmond Hay referred to the fact that lie had been the means of shedding Ngatibaua blood at Waitara, but that he had been so long amongst them that their interests and his had become one Jem mai Jcai atti. He thanked them in the name of the settlers for tbe invitation to this entertainment, and for proposing the health of the Europeans as a token of their friendly feelings towards the Europeans residing near them —this was most gratifying. As regarded himself he belonged to Ngntihnuo, and Ngatihaua belonged to him. Aremete Te Waharoa then spoke, saying) Te Make (Mr Mackay) ",Gf-O, go whero the, Grovernment require your services, leave us. You brought us on dry ground, without you we would have,been wading in blood —but go, and remember that when you leave us, we have no one to manage tbe steer,oar,aind^onfc month or two months may see us plunged into figJjfcfngi ""(Jo, the, .Government asked you to come hero, tlie* Government asked you to go away, if you desert us merely because you have other occupation ; wo are satisfied. If you desert us because you choose to do so, it is treachery j for without some one to direct us in this district there will be more trouble. Mr Mackay in reply said, that he was an officer of the Government, and he bad to obey the instructions given to him. That although ho was leaving the district they were still under the same law, and as long as they conducted themselves in a proper manner it would protect them. He had but one desire in anything he had done, and that was to see both races happy and prosperous, and hoped to hear that after his departure they continued to live side by side in peace and comfort. Ho was pleased tbat the Maori appreciated his action and proceedings during his residence in the district. He hoped there would be very shortly an end to all trouble between the Europeans and natives, and that we should all live together as an united people. ■ Major-Drummond Hay then proposed the health of the Ngatihaua,' coupled with ,1» Eaihi, saying that Te Raihi from the commencement had consistently adhered to the pakeha ; since the old land league was organised he had as a chief of Ngatihaua, (only second to William Thompson),' always consistently endeavored to cement the interests of the two races, and therefore he asked tho European guests present to drink the'health of Te Raihi and the other chiefs of Ngatihaua. Tuwhokaraina said, "Farewell Mackay, go and take charge of the other canoe. Go to your people Ngatimaru, leave us to pine after you, wo will now bo as orphans. (Song.) Farewell, Mr Mackay, farewell, it is good that you came to tee us Ngatihaua before you leave. Mr Edwards proposed the health of the bostesa and her assistants. He so id that on behalf of the Europeans present he had the pleasure of saying how gratified we were with the manner in which the dinner had been prepared j it was equal with the European in every respect, and showed the vast strides that the natives were making towards the ways and doings of the Europeans, and trusted that every gathering of this sort amongst the natives would bo got up in tbo same manner. Te Hakiriwhi returned thanks on behalf of his wife.