15

G,—lo

Hohua: My parents, welcome. Welcome the parent of all the people. Parakaia and I are of the same way of thinking. Do not stop on your horse, but dismount. I object to your returning to-day. Tamati: Welcome ! and stay with us awhile. Do not think of returning to-day. If you do go back, you may as well tapahi my kaki. You had better make up your mind to remain. Himiona : My parent, welcome ! All the tribes of the island welcome to me, the tribe of the day. My hand has not been stained with the blood of the Pakeha. Welcome to Tuhourangi. None of the tribes, with the exception of me, are stainless of Pakeha blood. I have always been firm in my adherence to the Queen. My parent, you would treat me but lightly if you were to make a short stay with us. Hohepa Tamamutu: Thanks for your welcome. Let your welcome to Mr. McLean, who is now visiting Tuhourangi, be an unreserved and frank one; he is your visitor to-day : you are not like me who wish him to go to my place, Taupo, but I cannot welcome him here, for he is a " kotuku putanga kotahi," now taking his flight among the people; let your welcome be a very cordial one. Keepa is not here to bid him welcome, and you must act for him ; if there is anything of importance that you wish to lay before Mr. McLean, do so. Kerei: Welcome, the chief authority of this island; welcome, the parent whose children are now assembled together to do her honor; welcome. This is the word ; do you stay with us and evince a friendly spirit towards us; this you can show by staying with us awhile, that it may be known that you came hither to make a lengthened stay with us. Come and see the land and the people; we have nothing of any value to give you. [Presented mat.] Mr. McLean : Thanks for the welcome you have given to our visitors; we came here to see the people, not to receive presents; the thoughts and feelings of the people are of more value than any presents. Your invitation for us to spend the night is good, we will sleep here. If you have anything of importance that you wish to bring under my notice, it is for you to say so after the words of friendly greeting have been exchanged. Tamati: Our reason for addressing you as we have is, that we understood that you were only going to pay us a flying visit, that you would not get off your horse, but that you would say a few words to us, and pass on. TV. Maihi: My younger relatives, I thank you for the cordial greeting you have this day given Mr. McLean and the friends who accompany me. Tuhourangi is an important tribe, with chiefs who do honor to the house erected to the memory of our ancestor; it is from those from whom they derive their origin that people get their standing, and are looked upon as a tribe of distinction. It is right that you should welcome Mr. McLean, who administers the affairs of the Government; welcome the Minister who accompanies him; he (Mr. McLean) is the "putaki o te ki;" he is the parent and we are his children. What you say, my younger relative, about momotu (your isolation) is good; it is right that Mr. McLean should come here to visit you. I am inclined to disapprove of the expression that has been made use of—viz. to come and see the complications that have arisen with respect to the boundaries; it is right for you to welcome the man who has caused the sun to shine as it does now. Hori Taiawhiao: Welcome, the Maori chiefs who escort Mr. McLean hither. Mr. McLean is the Minister for Native Affairs; we therefore delight to do him honor. I have no present to offer, all that I can give, in addition to the Ihupuni that has been given, is the Tumu (a block of land), which I place in your hands. The Arawa is subdivided into three great divisions; namely, Ngatipikiao, Ngatiwhakaue, and Tuhourangi. [Song.] Manihera: I will lament the memory of those of Tuhourangi who have departed. Mr. McLean, welcome to Tuhourangi of diminished numbers. [Song, " Bring relief to Tuhourangi."] Here lies my offering to you, the " Tumu "(a block of land). Taranui: Welcome. [Song.] My parent, welcome. You have seen Tuhourangi, welcome to me. [Song.] Mr. McLean come in person, that you may see my works. [Song.] lam of no importance, for the man who has done wrong cannot be said to hold a high position. Renata : My parent, Mr. McLean, we should not do away with the words of the Kaumatua all that I can say is, that lam pleased you have signified your intention of staying with us. The " Tumu "is what has been given in addition to the mat. Do not suppose that our talk is now ended; we have much to say to you, the putake (heads) of which will be laid before you. [General Haka.] Notes of Meeting held in Tarawera School House to discuss questions brought forward by TtfHouRANGi for consideration of the Hon. Native Minister, 19th December 1873. Tamati: Welcome, to these your sheep, Mr. McLean. You have sheep in many paddocks, OVer all of which you are captain, and in this especial case Mr. Clarke is the person whom you have appointed kai-tiaki. I bid you welcome! Mr. Clarke, when he pays visits in this part of his district, comes as far as Ohinemutu, and then returns. This is a large section of the Arawa, which is unvisited. We therefore ask you to come and visit us. There are three great subdivisions of the Arawa, who are entitled to equal consideration. If you had returned from Ohinemutu, we would have known that it was Mr. Clarke's doing. I hear of visits that you make year by year to different tribes. It is now for the first time that you have come here. My word to you is this—visit all your sheep.