Tawhiao's Visit to Ngaruawahia.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1416, 30 July 1881, Page 2

Tawhiao's Visit to Ngaruawahia.

THEbestreception,andthemostimpressire yet accorded Tawhiao and his followers from a Maori point of view, waa that which was giren him by the natives and Europeans of Ngaruawahia and surrounding districts. Beyond the erection of an arch and the reading of an elaborate address by the Europeans, the reception to the town was purely native, and carried out exclusively by them with the usual native customs. Tawhiao, (who waa driven by Mr Maguire of Hamilton, to whose turnout he became warmly attached), and a number of his guard left Hamilton early on Tnursday morning, and when they arrived at within a couple of miles of the township, made a halt on the railway line to await the arrival of the train from Hamilton with the remainder of his followers, so that they all mightenter the town in their usual processional order. When the train drew up alongside Tawhfao, he became greatly excited, and his enthusiasm was manifest and unbounded. The train having been emptied of its passengers, the king entered at almost the last carriage, and went through each, jumping from one to the other, until he arrived at the engine. When going through the carriages his joy was unbounded, and he tried to imitate the" pakeha talking. When he got to the engine he began to warm his hands at the boiler, scrutinise the machinery from top to bottom, got up beside the driver, and handled everything within his reach, everyone thinking he would eventually succeed in starting tbe concern, and wound up with the ejaculation that it was the grandest canoe he had ever seen. When the train moved on he roared with laughter and waved his hands, exclaiming "Kapai, kapai." The natives then formed into procession and proceeded towards the town. Within a few hundred yards of the arch a salute was fired by the processionists, each man discharging hia gun. On arriving at the arch, on which the inscription *' Welcome to Tawhiao and chiefs" was inscribed, the school children were found to be drawn up on each side, together with several of the townspeople and settlers ; the committee consisting of Messrs E. Fitzpatrick, G. P. Dickeson, P. Ray, Robert Lamb, J. H M. Carpenter, T. Y. Fitzpatrick, F. H. Edgecumbe, Burnett, T. Davis, Keesing, Williamson, and Captain Lindsay stepped forward to receive their distinguished visitors. Mr F. H. Edgecumbe read (in Maori) the following address : — "To Tawhiao, — We, the inhabitants of Ngaruawahia, welcome you Tawhiao and all your chiefs and people to our midst. Our hearts are full of joy at the prospect of peace and happiness to both races, which is certain to result by your coming amongst us, as you do to-day. Tho old associations winch connect you and your people with this place naturally causes Us to have very warm feelings towards you, and we hope to have the pleasure and gratification of seeing you all here on many future occasions." Tawhiao, since his arrival a* the arch, had become very much affected, and hi» grief waa apparent. He was consequently unable to reply. Patara te Tuhi came forward and said : " Listen, you Euro« peans and chiefs of this town. Ta whiao has come to this place to which he is now journeying. You will please stand aside and allow us to go on." The procession then proceeded on its way towards the town to meet the natives who had assembled. The latter, who were decorated with laurels, called " Welcome, welcome," and fired a salute of many guns, aud preceded their friends to the late King Potatau's tomb. When the tomb whs reached Tawhiao, who was in front of his followers, sat down on the ground and was apparently much affected. Prayer being engaged in, the " tangi" was commenced in true native style. The crying continued for about half-an-hour. On rising from the ground, Tawhiao said : " Welcome. Grief and sorrow is a matter that it> from ages past. lam dark in appearance, still I have a heait. Though I am small, I can do gre.it things. I can do good acts ! Prior to me another governed, but to this day afterwards is mine, and this day is mine. Others have had nothing to do with this matter. It was solely myaelf . I did not conceal this, though people went through places and tried to bliud people with dust, but i>till the fact is revealed. I have revealed it. When all were gathered at Hikurangi I revealed to them my word. I said that the hand had reached the root of the evil. If all abide by me, this (meaning their present peaceful relations with the Europeans) will be tho result. If all pull differenb ways, things will come to no good. But my course is straight, and no one can deviate me from that course. And what is your course ? My course is straight and no one can turn it or make it crooked. You have a right to welcome. The Heaven is above us ano the earth beneath, and the people are gathered together. I am not going to hide my word, neither my features, nor myself. It cannot be changed. I invite the Europeans to look at me. I am not goin* to turn my side face to you, but I look you straight in front. Listen ! Listen ! Listen ! You can find fault afterwards, but never mind all that ; when I say my word which will not be broken, there is no man that can change it. And no one can take my policy as their 'a. My word is only one. I have only one word. Here we have been journeyiug, journeying, and have tiavelled the district aud I have now reached where the fires used to burn. The people thought that I would turn back but hero I have arrived at Ngaruawahia and we have wept for the dead. You Europeans, my word is perfectly true and correct just the same as my face fronts you now. I will not turn back. I will not deviate from the course though you may think my appearance is black. You may look upon me who has a dark countenance, but I can bring things to a good conclusion. Ihere is nothing crooked in my thoughts. What I am doing now is nothing sideways or crooked for I am going as straight as you are fronting me now. All the Hauhuus that are with me are following my advice. I ask you to look carefully and watch me. My appearance is dark but my heart is different. I ask to listen attentively and carefully, and to watch me. If you side with me everything will be finished properly. You Europeans and Maoris, salutations to you all." The Auckland train was now crossing the bridge into the town, when Tawhiao said, waving his hand, " Come on friend ; come on friend. Welcome ! This is a good omen. The train approaches as I finished my speech. This is a good omen." The matter of administering to the wants of the visitors was left entirely in the hands of the Waipa natives, who had contributed their quota of the provisions, but handed them over to the others for cooking and distribution. All the visitors got comfortably located, some under canvas and others in various empty buildings in the neighbourhood. Some difficulty was experienced in finding Tawhiao a suitable residence, the one which was first allotted having been pre-occupied by other natives. , People who had suitable places to accommodate Tawhiao ' were afraid of the risk they would run in having them burned. Tawhiao, with his guard, paraded the towtT in search of a

1 bouse, and Major Mair, Mr Grace, and Mr Brown were in a like manner occupied. After a room was secured, considerable difficulty was experienced in finding suitable bedding material, and it appeared for a time that straw w»a the only procurable substitute forthcoming. However, through the indefatigable exertions of Mr Browu, the interpreter, and the kindness of some settler, a featherJbed was At length secured, and some blankets obtained. It cannot be said that the bungling was.the_fault of^the people of Ngaruawahia, they haying made every provision necemary for the reception of their truest. The n;itive^ of the nut-round-ing district would not let'the Europeans have anything to do with" ttieT'viMtors whatever until 8 o'clock, and todk everything to do with the entertainment of the vmtora themselves,'and to them alone is due the bungling above referred to. Great disappointment was manifested' by the members of the Reception Committee when it became known that neither Tawhta.o, Wahanui, or RewjL would be present at the dinner t* be given in their honour that evening. They consequently waited upon Major Mair, who explained to their apparent satiafaotion the reason their guest would not be present at the dinner. Tawhiao was cold and tired after walking about all day, and had then (3 o'clock) sat down to rest before the fire, which his indisposed condition would not permit his leaving. |

The Dinner. A grand spread to which the native chiefs and Europeans visitor* were invited was given in the evening by the people of Ngaruawahia in Shepherd's Royal Mail Hotel, and shortly after the appointed hour, about 45 sat down to dinner. There was an abundance ofeverything, and the quality was unexceptionable, Me E. Fitzpatriuk occupied* the chair, and Mr R. Lamb the vice-*-chair, on the left of the Chairman tat Major Mair and Tv Tawhiao, JPbuka, and Major Jackson, and on the right sat Tawhiao's youngest son, Ngahe and Honana Maioha. There were also present Messrs Brown, (interpreter), F. H. Edgecumbe, W. H. Clarke, J. H. M. Carpenter, G. F. DicKenson, G. L. Scott, Keesing, (senior and junior), Williamson, Peter. Kay, and several other Waipa settlers. The dinner having been disposed of, and apologies read from Rewi and Mr Grace, The Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were enthusiastically received. In proposing the toast of the evening, the Chairman said he felt very diffident in rising to propose a toast of this sort, as it was the first visit •of Tawhiao to Ngaruawahia since the war. He hoped now, as the ice was broken, that they would not be backward, but come amongst them like friends and brothers, as it was evident they were well disposed towards each other. He was certain, and it was his sincere wish, that as a friendly feeling had now been established between them, nothing would creep up to sever or corrupt it. He would ask them, therefore to drink to Tawhiao. The toast was received with musical honors, and three cheers for Tawhiao. Honana Maioha, in responding on behalf of Tawhiao, thanked the people of Ngaruawahia for the reception accorded the king on his arrival, and the excellent dinner provided. Mr Lamb (the vice-Chairman) said, in proposing the next toast, that it gave him much pleasure to do so. As neither of the gentlemen were present, he was certain their were others who would respond on their behalf. He would ask them to drink the health of Rewi and Wahanui, and all the chiefs of the Ngatimaniapoto and Waikato tribes. The toast was duly honored. Te Tuhi suitably responded on behalf of Rewi and Wahanui. The vice-Chairman then Droposed "The health of the Rev. Peter Wheremama and the Rev. William Barton." The toast was received with enthusiasm and the usual musical chorus. The Rev. Peter Wheremama and the Rev. William Barton responded. Several other native speeches were delivered by native gentlemem present and were received with applause. This was followed by a "haku" song signifying that peace was then firmly established between both races and that all warlike contentions were at an end. Mr F. H. Edyecurabe then proposed the health of Tv Tawhiao which was suitably responded to. In proposing the health of Major Mair the Chairman said thitt the settlers of Waikato were well aware of the influence exercised by Major Muir in bringing about the huppy event which they had met together to celebrate. It was wellknown he had worked for years to bring the Europeans and their Maori friends to* gether a;id the present gathering was a proof of his success. Ho would ask them to drink with him the health of Major Mair. The tsast was received with much enthusiasm und the usual musical honors. Major Mair in responding acknowledged the compliment by a few uppropriute remarks, agreeing with them in their opinion that it was a great event not only for Waikato but for New Zealand at large. A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the company singing the National Anthem.