G.—3

10

Special, the Rev. Wi Barton, Warana, Hoaue te One, Te Awaitaia, Henu Neiro, Te Kui, Makariri, Te Kaihi, Hargreave, Mohi, Hanu Ngaropi, Tautari, Eta, and Hohaia went overland. They reached Te Kopua shortly before the arrival of Sir George Grey's canoe, at the junction of the Waipa and Mangakarua and Ngakaohia Rivers ; the party had a fine view of the exciting scene. The canoe was rowed at great speed against the rapids, chiefs giving time. The following chiefs were in the canoe : Nene Kukutai, llori Ivukutai Ratitna, Here Wini, Te Wharepu, Te Tawhara, Hohoputu, Te Mapuenuhu, Ngawharau. Here Sir George Grey and part}- landed. The horses were taken charge of by the Natives, and we walked on some distance until we came in sight of the Native camp. A great number of tents were pitched on the grass plain. Reception of Sib George Geet at Kopva. Sir George Grey was received by Takiwaru in peacock's feathers as he entered the village, and welcomed by the women, who called out, " Haere mai ekara." The Natives were formed in dense line ' on the south side of the plain, extending several hundred yards. Quite 3,000 were present, including women and children. Sir George Grey and party were accommodated with chairs. Before taking their seats the Europeans stood in groups, and were received by the women and men in a tangi which lasted several minutes—a very mournful scene. Then the party sat down. The tangi continued. The women exclaimed, " Here is Sir George Grey and those who have gone before," in allusion to the spirits of the departed, as if present. Then the Tariaos commenced prayers ; invoked God to protect and enlighten them, and all the world. Tawhiao was dressed in Maori fashion, with fern on his head (a sign of mourning) and his arms bare. He stood a long time leaning on his taiha, with bowed head. Te Ngakau looked greyer than at Sir Donald McLean's meeting. Rewi kept out of sight. Tutawhiao, the King's sou, satin front, with bowed head, which was dressed in mourning, in token of death. Sir George followed, then Te Ngakau spoke. The whole ceremony was concluded by noon. It was merely formal. The Natives, then dispersed to arrange food. Tawhiao remained silent nearly a quarter of an hour. Perfect silence and stillness was observed by the Natives. Tawhiao and Tapihana made speeches of welcome. At the present time of writing, nearly 1 o'clock, the Europeans are fraternizing with the Natives who are dispersed over the ground in a most picturesque disorder; some women are tanging over long absent relatives. The following speeches were made at the first meeting : — Taivlriao said : Welcome, welcome, welcome! Come to those who have called you many times. Come, bringing with you your rules ; come and see what ours are. The inevitable must be endured. Think not of the alterations that have taken place. Come and see. Come, O father. Come, come, come, O Grey. You bring healing with you. Listen ! 0 listen ! This is Govenor Grey (turning his head towards his people). O come, father of the people. Salutions to you. A very long pause followed. Taphiliana then stood up and said : Welcome, welcome. Come to Waihingatu, come to my relatives. Come and see your people; my elder brother, my father, my parent. Come, come, come. Lift up your eyes and look around. Come to Waihingatu, the place of abode of Uemiku. Come over the sea, sailing on the great ocean of Kiwa, over the great sea of Tawa, until you have readied the lands of Tawhiao ; come ashore, welcome, come to me. Come to your father, Potatau. Come ! Greetings to you (turning to the tribes). This is Sir George Grey. Here, he has come to the place of our abode, and here he sits. He has come to our village. 0 friend, come to me; come to your village. The speaker then sat down. Tawhiao remained standing. The Premier, after some minutes, stood up. The Natives immediately, all attention. He spoke in Maori as follows : Oh, my friends, I greet you nil. I sympathize with you all. Greetings to Tawhiao and all the descendants of Potatau, my friend who is dead. I greet you all, the chiefs and tribes of Waikato and Ngatimnniapoto, and the representatives of my friends who have departed this life. I greet you, chiefs, and all the people of Ngatimaniapoto and Waikato. I greet you all, also the representatives of all my friends who have departed this life. I greet you all. The Premier then sat down. Te Ngaleau said: Welcome, welcome to Waikato. Come and see the troubles that surround us. Come, that we may see each other face to face. The faces that have been left by those who have gone into darkness. Come and see your father. Come, that we may look into each others eyes ; come, that we may look at you, and you may look at us. Come to me and the representatives of your friends. Come and bring great thoughts (song), welcome. Come with your friends. That is all now, it is ended. The speaker then ended. This part of the proceedings ended about noon. The people then rose up. The King's sister and another came and shook hands with Sir George Grey. Tents are now being pitched, and food is preparing. Friday, 9.50 p.m. All afternoon was spent in feasting ; the only excitement being a division of food. A great quantity of quarters of beef were drawn to various tribes in wheeled sledges, made at Kawhia. The great supply of dried sharks, hung on poles, were the most coveted luxury. The division of these caused much excitement; their unsavoury smell was sufficient to repel Europeans to a distance. After the speeches, Natives brought over a great quantity of cooked potatoes and dried mussels and pipis to the tents pitched for Sir George Grey's party. These were partaken of with great relish ; but the Commissary-General (Mr. Seymour George) and Deputy Grace fortunately provided a large supply of tea, sugar, steak, bread, and butter, with plates, cups, knives, and saucers. He forgot forks, and the plates were short of requirements. Soino Europeans of Sir George Grey's party were seen picturesquely reclinining on the grass, eating lumps of bread and steak in their hands, with clasp knives.