TAWHIAO INVITED TO VICTORIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1831, 1 April 1884, Page 2

TAWHIAO INVITED TO VICTORIA.

Apkopos of the intended visit of Tawhiao to England, and the manner of his reception there (writes a conespondent) *-,he following anecdote may be of some interest of those acquainted with the .Royal traveller. We had the good foitune to meet the lion. Mr Blank, of the Victorian Legislatme, when coming up from Auckland to Waikato in thetiain a few days ago. He was on his way to Rotoiua, and was particnlaily communicative," slightly piosy, but none the less gracious ; and all he had to say on the appeal ance and prospects of the country we listened to with "marked attention." Our notice was first attracted to this pei-.ona.ge, by his magestic gravity in tapping 1 the railway pass, which dangled from his watchchain, when accosted by the guaid, with the customaiy salutation "Tickets, please." On amv.il at Meicer station, a number of natives had assembled on the platform, when the astute eye of our honouiable fellow passenger, immediately fixed upon the portly figuie of that gallant legislator Major Te Whero. It was quite evident to us that the Majoi's dignified carriage had duly impressed our fnend, and this was made evident, by his immediate enquiry as to who that distinguished looking native was. On being mfoimed that the object of his inquiry \\ as no less a poison than Major To Wheoio, a member of the House of Hepiesentati"es, and at piesent making a tour with Tawhiao, the Maoii King, he at once became possessed of a desue to form his acquaintance, and without waiting for any formal introduction, he huriied along the platfomi, and seizing the m.ijoi's hand in an effusive inaniioi, patronising] y said : " How aie you, majoi ; lain so happy to kn"\v yon." The quickness of his eye with lcgard to such dec irations enabled him to obseive the silver lailway pass, with winch the major's watch-chain was adorned. Having sciutinise-l the , ma]oi's ornament for some tin.c, lie giaci usly infoimed him that it would take him all over tlie Victon.in lailway.s, and continued by duecting attention to the pass which he himself possessed, observing at the same time that his was gold, whcieas the Majoi 's was only silver. Heio was a distinction with a diffeienco ccitamly, but, neveitheless, the Major '•ecmed none the less contented with his lot in such matteis. Having le vmed that Te Wlieoro was accompanying Tawhiao he anxiously enquired where that royal dignitary was to be found. The Major at once pieceded him to the railway hotel, and in a back room we found Tawhiao seated in state. The formalities of intioduction having been disposed of, our Victoiian fiiend at once pioceeded to pay his lespects, and after some scraping and bowing remarked, " I am .so pleased to meet your majesty. It is quite an unexpected pleasuie, I assure you. 1 hope your majesty is perfectly well. If ever your majesty should visit Victoria I will do all in my power to make jour majesty's visit pleasuieable. I hear your majesty is about to visit England. I hope youi majesty will enjoyyoui tup." \. veiy expicssionless gun pervaded the kingly featuies dining the delivciy of this lespeetful address, certainly the most respectful which he had ever been subjected to dm ing his royal caieei, but of which he did not compiehend a single word. Turning to Te Wheoro for some enlightenment, evidently believing that the \ lsitoi desired to ascertain his pleusuio as to what he .should imbibe, the major gave as liteiala translation of our friend's sentiments as was possible for him to do. Tawhiao responded with sundiy fuendly nods and giunts, indicative of, " Fiiend, greetings, salutations to you, the chief of the pakehn, my love for you is great,' and, as if desii ing a mine piaetical dentonstiatiou of homage, looked askance at the communicator on the table. The hint was lost on our friend, who evidently was not ambitious to shout, even foi a king. Finding that the tiain was on the point of staiting, and evidently disappointed at being compelled to tei inmate what must have been to him a most satisfactoi y interview, oui fiiend, assuming an obsequious attitude, deliveied himself as follows: — " I must apologise to your majesty for the shoitness of my interview with your majesty, but on account of the train being on the point of staiting for Hamilton, I am reluctantty compelled to bid faiewell to your majesty, but if ever your majesty should \isit Victoiia we shall give youi majesty a fitting and most hearty reception. Good-bye your majesty ; good-bye majoi,"and teaiinghim»elf away, ho daited off, and sadly and thoughtfully sought Ills former seat in the train. We weie not previously awaie that Victorian legislators were bom com tiers, but now we are fully peisuaded of the fact, and think that our own meinbeiH might well take a wrinkle from the above interview.