ARRIVAL OF TAWHIAO AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1683, 19 April 1883, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF TAWHIAO AT CAMBRIDGE.

Tawhiao with about 200 followers, consistingof representatives of various tribes, arrived at Uambiidge from Waotu yesterday evening about 4 o'clock. His entry into the town was not so imposing as that which was witnessed on his first visit about eighteen mouths ago. His followers, among whom we noticed Th Tawhiao and a number of chiefs, were principally mounted on horseback, the remainder enjoying the more comfortable means of transit afforded by the buggy. Before enteiing the town, Tawhiao headed the procession on foot, and assumed an unusually dignified manner. JHis attire was more European than we have hitherto s^en him in, his head gear consisting of a gigantic arrangement composed for the most part of that class of feathers held in veneration by the race. A large number of. natives and Europeans aw.iited his arrival on the top of the hill at the foot of Duke-street, and on the ariival of the royal procession there the former portion of the gathering raised the cry of welcome, and preceding his majesty until arriving at the Public Hail kept up a very harmonious song. A tangi, which was witnessed by a laige number of Europeans, followed, affording at the same time mirth and condolence. A meeting was held subsequently, in which the chiefs of the people took part, addressing the people assembled, the speeches, for the most part, consisting of expressions of welcome. Mr Sheehan, on behalf of the Europeans, addressed the assemblage, welcoming the king and his followers to Cambridge. Addressing Tawhiao he said : " You have been all over the island, and have seen that in Wanganui, Napier and other European border townships, and seen how both races live together in peace and harmony. Your travels will have been a source of great information to you. Now when you go back to your ow n place in Waikato endeavour to make things equally felicitous in your distiict. Arrange things that happiness may exist bctwepn you and your European neighbours. Your father was an old and trusted friend of the Europeans in this island, and I, who was born in Auckland, remember how stiong was the faith of tl.e Europeans in his loyalty to them. I ask you to forget all past differences, and to woik in now with the Europeans, and bo avuuige the matteis of the country over which you and your p°ople claim ownership that the law may prevail therein, and that you may return to your father's own maiae, which was a marae pukeha. That is all I have to say to you now. My advice is to have no further talk. You have done a long journey, and your people are tired. The Maoris who are here will prepare food for ) ou. The natives then took possession of the Public Hall, and had a large supply of food and stimulants doled out to their. Tawhiao was taken to the Criterion Hotel, where accommodation w;>s procured for him by Mr Sheehan. He is evpected to leave for Alexandra to-day or early to-morrow.