TAWHIAO'S VISIT TO TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1414, 26 July 1881, Page 3

TAWHIAO'S VISIT TO TE AWAMUTU.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— l am glad to see that your correspondent at Kihikihi places the facts of Tawhiao's reception here in a correct litfht. I can, however, still more clearly show that the people of Te Awamutu as represented by the reception committee, were actuated' by no other motive than a desire to show true English hospitality to Tawhiao and his people. The committee, Messre Sloane, Lewis, and Walton, did not known until after Tawhiao and party had started from Alexandra when our visitors might be expected. In a surprisingly short space of time all the provisions to be obtained in the township were collected for the Maoris. A very food dinner was provided by Host iewis for Tawhiao and chiefs, and everything possible was done to offer our visitors a hearty welcome. As to the tune played by the Te Awamutu Band, I cm only say that it was with great difficulty the members could be got together at co short a notice, and certainly no one ever thought of dictating to Bandmaster Sibley what tunes they should play. I daresay they played what they thought to be the moat appropriate tunes they know for tbn occasion. Would the Herald's Kihikihi correspondent have our band insult Tawhiao by playing '" Home, Sweet Home," or ourselves by playing "God Save the King ?'' My only object in writing this is to assure the Waikato public that nothing waa farther from the minds of the Te Awamutu people 1 than to attempt to ridicule or bu^esque Tawhiao'a visit to us. We are glad to see him amongst us, and when he next pays us a visit will endeavour to give him as good if not a better recoption than that we have juet accorded him. — I am, &c, Observer.