A.—No. 7.

8

NOTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS DURING THE

given to me. lam going to-morrow to Hokianga to see the remainder of the Ngapuhi. I hope shal often come to Waimate and Waitangi to see you. In the meantime, whenever you want to express any of your wishes to the Government, write to your friend Te Makarini (Mr. McLean), whom you know of old. The Natives then gave three hearty c'leers for the " Queen." They afterwards gave an enthusiastic cheer for the " Governor," and another for " Mr. McLean." This concluded the korero. The meeting was conducted throughout with decorum and regularity. The Natives expressed themselves as being much pleased with the visit of the Governor and Mr. McLean, and hoped they would soon come and see them again. It is hoped that the present visit and interview will have a beneficial effect, and be productive of permanent good. At half-past Nine o'clock on the following morning (Saturday), the Governor and his party started for Hokianga. The distance from Waimate to Taheke, at the head of the Hokianga river, is about twenty miles. They halted at Ohaewai, which was the scene of a severe repulse of the English troops during field's war. And here we have to mention a circumstance which speaks well for the Maoris. The Natives have just erected a handsome Church on the site of the Ohaewai pa—their own voluntary act. It is capable of seating 120 people, and was built at a cost of £30u, and they have themselves defrayed the entire expense. They have also granted sixteen acres of land for church purposes. The pa will be used as a cemetery. It is their intention when the Bishop of Auckland comes to consecrate the Church and burial-ground, to exhume the remains of the soldiers who fell during the struggle referred to, and re-inter them in the cemetery. They will also erect a tombstone m memoriam of the Maoris and Europeans who were killed in the attack and defence of the pa. When within about six miles of Taheke, Judge Maning and an escort of some fifty mounted Natives came to meet His Excellency. On reaching the crest of the hill overlooking the Taheke settlement, a striking spectacle met the view. About two hundred Natives were seen assembled at the landing place. The men fired a salute from their muskets, and the women waved their shawls and handkerchiefs, and sang their song of welcome. The following gentlemen were present to receive the Governor: —John Webster, Esq., J.P. ; Wiliiam Webster, Isq., J.P.,; Yon Stunner, Esq., E. M. and Collector of Customs. The principal Native Chiefs present were Mohi Tawhai, Hone Mohi Tawhai, Eaniera Wharerau, Hone Mohi Piripi Hahu, Wi Eaha, Kaitara. The ceremony of welcome over, Mom Tawhai said : Welcome, O Governor! Come and see your canoe now floating in Hokianga. It is not now only that we have joined the Queen; we were attached to her in former years and still remain so. Welcome, O Governor, and bring peace to us your children, that your law may be a garment to spread over us, and that we may live under the shelter of your laws. Honi Mohi Tawhai said: Welcome, Governor! Stand upright in your canoe now floating in Hokianga. This canoe has long existed (meaning that the Ngapuhis were always loyal.) During the time that fighting was going on in different parts of our island, our fathers took the side of the Queen and remained steadfast—Tamati Waka, Makoare, Arama Karaka, Mohi Tawhai, Eangatira Moetara. It was not money that caused them to join the Queen, as was the case with other tribes. They were attached to the Queen, and so are we now. Welcome, Governor. We are glad to see the Eepresentative of our Queen here to-day. Baniera Wharerau said : Welcome, 0 Governor. Come and see us and see your canoe now floating in Hokianga. Welcome, Governor, and Mr. McLean. Now look at my weapon (holding up a liani, war club.) It is the weapon of my ancestors. If it had been a gun it would Lave been able to open its mouth and give you a proper salute. Welcome, Governor, welcome to Hokianga. His Excellency the Governor said: —Mohi Tawhai, and the Chiefs and people of Waima ana Hokianga, lam very glad to meet you as the loyal subjects of tho Queen. The fame of the Chiefs of Hokianga, and of the Ngapuhi in general, has reached all over New Zealand. The Queen has often heard of your bravery in war, and she is now rejoiced to find that you are equally famous and distinguished in the arts of peace. The heart of the Queen is rejoiced to see the friendship that exists here between the Pakeha and the Maori. I know that all the great Chiefs here uphold the law ; and so the Queen hopes it will always be with you. Governors and Maori Chiefs pass away like the changes of the Seasons, but the law remains the same for ever —even as the sun shines in the heavens both in the summer and in the winter. lam very glad to see your beautiful country, and I shall much enjoy my brief visit to it. Salutations to you all. Tho Governor and party were then invited to the house of Eru Hiri, where an excellent luncheon was prepared and served up in European style by Harriet—Hongi's daughter, Heki's wife, and subsequently the widow of the late Arama Karaka, the celebrated Chief of the Waima Eiver—and a number of willing assistants. We may here mention that on the 11th of next month there will be a great meeting of the Ngapuhi and Earawas, which will be the largest held in the North for many years past. The occasion of their assembling is to exhume the bones of the above-mentioned Chief, accordng to Maori custom, and exhibit them to the different tribes. At 3 o'clock the party left the settlement in the steamer's boats. We may state, in passing, that after coaling, the " Luna " left the Kawakawa at 2 o'clock on Thursday afternoon ; steamed round the North Cape, and arrived at Kurd's Point in Hokianga about the same hour next day. His Excellency and party on leaving Taheke, received three hearty cheers, to which they responded. They were escorted down the Waima River vby a number of the principal Chiefs. The Waima Biver extends a distance of about 18 miles, and is serpentine in its course. As we neared Hurd's Point the stillness was broken by the firing of guns and the repeated cheers of the Maoris, who were there assembled in large numbers ; this sounded well in the distance. The Maoris performed a war-dance. The party arrived at the steamer, which lay at anchor off Hurd's Point, at half-past 6 o'clock, and steamed down the Hokianga Eiver. The " Luna " may be said to be the first steamer that has ever gone down this river. As she approached