RAGLAN. , ■* ■ to Mr John W. ElUs.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1531, 27 April 1882, Page 2

RAGLAN. , ■* ■ to Mr John W. ElUs.

Immediately after the Aotea Cup ■ had been run for at the Aotea races on the 2lst inst., opportunity was- taken, .to make a. presentation to Mr J. W., Ellis, late storekeeper -at Aotea, of a, handsome watch aud chain, by MriW. Duncan, J.P., on the part of the residents in Aotea and Raglan, aa a token of the respect they have for him., Mr Duncan, in making the presentation, spoke as follows :—: — Ladies and Gentlemen. — It affords" me much pleasure to perform the > task* allotted to me. this afternoon by the subscribers to Mr Ellis 1 testimonial, and more especially so when I am aware that during his residence here Mr Ellis has, by his acts and behaviour, made himself such a general favourite. . His liberality •has at all times been made apparent when his assistance has been asked for the support of any charitable or praiseworthy object, and, what lends an additional charm to hisaction, it hasalwaysbeendone promptly and in the most unassuming and unostentatious manner. Not so much do the residents take, the present action to 'sh6w the appreciation of his. services <*in a public capacity, but to give evidence of theestimationin which he is held by them as a 1 * 1 gentleman, as a private and business friend. Both Europeans aud Maoris will alike feel the loss of Mr Ellis in this respect. This, brings me to a point upon which I wish to bestow more than ordinary stress and importance [During the last few months the barrier which has hitherto existed between that, portion of the Maori race called Haujiaus, and . the Europeans has been almost' completely broken down. King Tawhiao, who a short time back would have looked with horror and distrust upon such a proceeding, has visited Auckland, and has been received by the.citizeus with every demonstration of friendship 1 and goodwill. To whom are we to accede the credit of this result ? It is not just that a levt of the leading men in this province should endeavour to arrogate , all the glory to themselves. I speak advisedly when I say to none of them i is so,, much credit due as to, Mr Eilis. A representative from King Tawhiao is here in the person of Te Ngakau touphold me in this assertion. In an earnest but unostentatious ' matiner Mr E.lis has laboured- r for a long time to cultivate in the Maori' King's mind a feeling of friendliness 'towards the Europeans, and his efforts 'have met with the success they deserved ; and at the present time I know of no man in this colony in which the King places more confidence than he does .in Mr Ellis. And now Mr Ellis I have much pleasure in presenting you with this watch and chain in the name of the both European and Maori, in the districts of Aotea and Raglan, and ta*ust_ ,that you will long .preserve it as a manifest of the esteem in which you were held by them when you left this district. Te Ngakau then said : It is with much sorrow that I stand up ; here to bid Mr Ellis godd-bye 6n the part 6f the several tribes of Maoris, which live in f Aotea, Raglan, and Kawhia. He has been a good friend to all of us during the time he has lived amongst us, ana when we lose , him/we lose the best friend we ever had." From the' commenceitient of the friendship between King Tawhiao and Mr Ellis must also date the commencement of him (Tawhiao) mixing with the Europeans. , Tawhiao bears much love towards him', and would like him to go and live with him ip. Kawhia» On the pari of all the Maoris around, him I <now wish'bim good-Dye. Mr EHis r in replying, { said'that on an decakibri like the present it could' sharcUy be ! expect&d-tKat he woukl'make a speech. It afforded him much pleasure to think ' that' after 1 ' so long a' residence amongst them he left the district bearing* tnekre- J specfc ! 'of l both. Lv 'races." 'Hfe •'• would* Vyng remember' tHis cfay^and w<snld ofteisPiook back* with pleasure to the time hd had lived amongsfcthem.;He< W atfdre&ell the'Maons in a like manner in T ' j the r ir^own;.langua,ge, which broughf^tKe^(leee^rng%tc,^|l6se.— [Own Correspondent.] " v >. * *~

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