VISIT OE THE GOVERNOR TO THE NORTH.

5

A.-No. 7.

paring for a grand muster, they separated into groups, and had a preliminary war-dance, after which they joined in a body. Three chiefs then met them and gave the usual challenge, after which they rushed en masse to the foot of the flagstaff in the paddock opposite the Eev. Mr. Clarke's house, and commenced the war-dance. The war-dance, in which only two or three of the women took part, occupied about five minutes, after which the whole assembly of Natives seated themselves on the ground, forming a half circle. A number of chairs placed in front of tiHm were occupied by His Excellency the Governor, The Hon. Donald McLean, His Honor Sir G. A. Arney ; Captain Pitt, A.D.C. ; The Hon. Colonel Edgcumbe ; Messrs. Douglas McLean, John Williams, H. Carleton, M.G.A., J. Dacre, H. H. Maning, W. Mitchell, E. Williams, E.M., (who officiated as Interpreter), and several others. A number of ladies were also present. Among the principal Chiefs assembled we observed: —Hare Te Wera, Wiremu Katene, Heta Te Hara, Tango Hikuwai, Tamati Te Ngere, Hare Hongi, Mihaka Tohiriri, Kohumaru, Kingi Hori Kiira, Eiwhi Tete, Te Haratua, Wiremu Hau, Hamiora Hau,i&c, &c. Hirini Taiwhanga stepped forward and read two letters which had been sent by the Hon. Mr. McLean—one from himself and the other from the Governor-—acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the Ngapuhi relative to proposed terms of peace with the Waikatos. Wi Hau said : Welcome, Governor, welcome to the Waimate to see the Ngapuhi. You now see for yourself a few Natives present. Well might remarks be made to you by Europeans formerly that there are no Natives of the Ngapuhi tribe. Tou see but a few here. Have you come to visit us merely, or have you now come to answer in person the letters addressed to you from a meeting held in Waimate to take into consideration the letter addressed by the Prince—the Duke of Edinburgh, to the Ngapuhi—answers to which were forwarded by Mr. McLean, and which you have iust heard read to you ? The object of that meeting of Ngapuhi was to take into consideration the expressions used by the Duke of Edinburgh, who hoped that the mist might be cleared from the islands of New Zealand, and that the sun would soon shine upon the country. The Ngapuhi took the expressions of the Prince into consideration at Waimate, and the result was the letter addressed to the Governor on the subject. Since then the Ngapuhi have been waiting for a reply to their letter —to know what the Governor's wishes may be upon the subject. If this be the object of your Excellency's visit, the Ngapuhi will have much to say to you. If this be not your object, and that you merely come to see the poverty of the land, the Ngapuhi will not have much to say. Tango Hikuwai, Native Assessor, said: Welcome, O Governor! Come and visit us here assemb'ed. The reason you witness so small a party to welcome you is the shortness of the notice received of your intended visit. The people of this district are far scattered about, following their usual avocations. You have heard read this morning the letters addressed to us in answer to the letter forwarded from our meeting; and we now see you present with us. We expect an answer now from your Excellency upon the subject. Our desire is that peace should be made with the Waikatos, and that you should place a portion of the Waikato land in our hands, that we may have something wherewith to appear before the Waikatos to request them to give up their Kingship, and be like us. If we have nothing in our hands we cannot present ourselves before them. Hamiora Hau, son of the first speaker, said-; Welcome, Governor, to Waimate. During the Prince's visit in Auckland he addressed a letter to Ngapuhi, expressing a hope that the mist might be cleared from the hills and the sun shine upon the country. Upon receiving this letter, the Ngapuhi called a meeting to take the question into consideration. The Ngapuhi desired to further the views expressed by the Prince —that peace should be established Honi Tana said : Welcome. Governor. I hare but one> word to say. I ask you what is the object of your present visit? Hokai said : Welcome, Governor! lam no spieauer. Prom my youth up to the present time I have never been a speaker; I never could sneak ciear*y was the first who introduced Europeans nto New Zealand. Welcome to you, Governor. Tamati Te Ngere said : Welcome, Governor Come ana unite the aws of European and Maori. Place the Europeans and Maoris under the samel aws. Eiwhi, Hongi said : Welcome, Governor! I only rise to ask the uestion—isfc he object of your present visit to give us an answer respecting the Waikato question? Kingi Hori Kiea said : Welcome, Governor I have only one word say. The Ngapuhi are waiting to hear whether you agree to place the lands of Waikato n the hands) the Ngapuhi. Now one of you rise and answer us that we may also write down your expressions. Our main object is to know whether you will place the Waikato lands in our possession, that we may go and make peace with the Waikatos. After the ten years you have now been employed laying men, when will you cease and save the remnant ? Tamati Hui Ngaeiei said : Welcome, Governor! Ngapuhi now ask the question—will you place the Waikato lands in the bands of the Ngapuhi, that they may go and make peace with the Waikato ? Matenga Taiwhanga said : Welcome, Governor! Bring us peace. I have nothing to say respecting the Prince's letter. You have already heard the remarks of the Ngapuhi upon the subject. (The Chief here sang a song in which allusion was made to the Waikatos, and which terminated with a chorus) Welcome, Governor! The only subjectto consider is that already brought? orward by Kingi Hori Kira. Miiiaka Pehiriri said : Welcome, Governor ! I rise to tell you that myself and party are attached to the Government and the Queen. Ido not wish you to have any doubts respecting our loyalty. Other tribes will speak for themselves. I speak on behalf of my own tribe. Do not suppose that I sympathise in any way with the Waikato King. What has he done for me ? Nothing at all. We are of one skin and one blood, but our thoughts differ. The ancient trees of the forest (alluding to the old chiefs) have dibappeared ; we are a young people, growing up in- their stead. Prom my youth up I have experienced nothing but kindness from the Queen. (The Chief takes from his pocket a sovereign). 1 hold in my hand the image of the Queen. It was this increased my civilization, and supplied me with