A.-No. 7,

14

NOTES OE THE PROCEEDINGS DURING THE

A korero was then held in the spacious building adjoining the Mongonui Hotel (Mr. Mcintosh's). The principal Chiefs present were : —Pororua Wharekauri Taiepa, Eakena Waiana, Pone te Kanohi, Karena Pororua, Wi Haimakire. Eaeena Waiana said : Welcome, Governor, Welcome ! We were disappointed in the delay of your coming. Come and see the few here. Welcome, Governor ! Hone te Kanohi said : Welcome, Governor ! Come and see this part of our Island. You are the root, or pakiaka, and diffuse light like the star that shines in the morning. Poeoeua Whaeeeauei te Taiaha said: Welcome, Governor! Welcome! Come and see us. We are living under the shadow of the Queen. Welcome to Mongonui. His Excellency the Governor then said : I am very sorry indeed to have disappointed you, by not arriving sooner; but you know I have been delayed by the storm which has prevailed for the last two days. It is a great pleasure to come to this peaceful haven—this haven of calm and sunshine— after the storm of last night. lam very much obliged that so many of you should have come so soon—directly you heard the cannon announcing my arrival—to welcome me here. I have always heard that the Ngapuhi and Barawas were famous in the arts of war, and I am glad to see that they are now cultivating equally well the arts of peace. The Queen has often heard of the loyalty and bravery of Tamati Waka Nene, and many of the other Chiefs of Ngapuhi and Earawa ; and Her Majesty will be glad to hear from me that that loyalty is continued. The word of the Queen is that the law should be carried out equally for you and for the Pakeha. There is one point on which I wish to address to you a few words. I would advise you, while adopting our customs of civilization, not to fall into the evils of drinking. lam sorry to hear that this evil has made some progress here, and I would strongly advise you to eschew it. The evils of intemperance are such that your children, if they were to give way to them, would not grow up such chivalrous warriors as their ancestors were. The Government is most anxious to meet your views and forward your wishes in every respect possible. If ' any of you have any complaints to make to the Government, if you write to your friend Te Makarini (Mr. McLean) you will always get an immediate reply. Several Native Chiefs addressed the Governor, some requested to be supplied with powder and shot for pigeon shooting. The Hon. Mr. Mc Lean then said: The question of granting a limited quantity of powder, for sporting purposes, will be considered by the Government, but no relaxation of the law will be made. You are aware that even the Governor can only purchase a limited quantity, and is, as well as the Chief Justice who you see here, as much subject to the law, in this respect, as other people. In the first instance, any one obtaining powder for sporting purposes must apply, and be recommended by Mr. White, the Eesident Magistrate, before any will be granted. His Excellency said : I have again to express my thanks for your having come here this morning to meet me. You all know how the bad weather prevented me coming sooner. If it had not been my desire to see the Ngapuhi and Earawas here and at Whangaroa, I should have gone to the Manukau as the weather was so bad. We should have remained here longer, but it is necessary that I should go to see the Maoris at Whangaroa. This concluded the korero. His Excellency and party returned on board the steamer, which got under weigh at ten o'clock for Whangaroa. We entered the beautiful harbour of Whangaroa at twelve o'clock, and anchored well up the bay. Edward Williams, Esq., and Hopkins Clarke, Esq., came on board and informed the Governor and Mr. McLean that the Natives were ready to receive them on shore. We could see several canoes full of Natives paddling towards the place of rendezvous It was a pretty sight to observe the Natives assembling on the beach. After some shots had been fired from the gun on board the steamer, His Excellency and party left in the ship's boat, and as we neared the shore we were greeted with the usual song of welcome and the Manuwhiri —the waving of shawls and handkerchiefs, welcoming the party to the shore. As we approached the land the Natives prepared for the war-dance; and when we landed the usual challenge was given and the war party rushed, in a compact body, along the beach to the place of meeting. They were naked with shawls round their waists, and wore white feathers in their heads—the emblems of peace- There were about 250 Natives present, assembled from different branches of the river. They had remained on the river since Wednesday evening, patiently waiting for the Governor's visit. They perfomed with much vigour and spirit the wardance (Tuturanguhi), and afterwards gave the call of welcome (Karanga). The men were armed with guns, clubs, and spears, and the women were attired in gay and bright dresses. The place of meetting was on the sandy beach, in front of the residence of Mr. George T. Fergusson. After the ceremony of welcome, Arama Whakapeke, the great chief of Whangaroa, came forward and welcomed the Governor and Mr. McLean to Whangaroa. Among the European settlers present were : —Messrs, William Spikman (the oldest settler in the district), G. T. Fergusson, Alexander Nesbitt, Howes, Eeynolds, Andrews, William Lane, Anderson, Martin, Bell, &c, &c. Arama Whakapeke said : Welcome, Governor! Bring the good with you. Come and see the Europeans and Natives here. All that I have to say to you is, welcome ; come and see us. All I have to say is welcome ; how do you do ? Here lam with my Europeans. Mohi Teeahiei said : Welcome, Governor! Come and see Whangaroa, the Europeans and the Natives. We are all quiet here; we are all loyal, and there is no disturbance. Euinga te Hoenga said : Welcome, Governor ! This is the first time that I have seen you the Governor. Other Governors have been in the colony, and you are the only Governor I have seen here. One word I have to say to you. I want a gaol in Whangaroa. This is my word to you ; I want a gaol here for all mischievous people—to imprison all those who do evil both to Europeans and Natives. Heeemaia te Aea said : Welcome, Governor! Come the father of all the people. These are all your children from a long time past. Welcome, bring good-will with you. I have been under the law from a long time past, even until now. Even if Ido put the law to one side sometimes, still lam