THE DISCOVERY.

i A VISIT TO THE KAIAPOI MAORIS. > AN INTEKESIIKis GATHERING. . Yesterday Drs. Koettiitx and Wilson, Messrs Hodgson. Farrar, Bernaeehi," Baine. r,cd iskeltor>; chief engineer, accompanied by Mr nj>3. Mrs G. Hurst Se&ger, Dr. and Mrs C. Cbilton, Mr and Mrs H. O. D. Metres, Mrs Jennings, and Mr Lane visited the Kaiapoi Maoris at Tuahiwi. For some time before they were due the Maori men and wcmen had been making preparations by spreading the floor of the runanga hull with new mat?, and decorating it with flowers and evergreens. As the visitors came in view, under the leadership of Potangi, the women gave a powhiri, the dresses of mats and feathers and. the flourishing of meres and taiahas making a very picturesque spectacle. The burden of the song of welcome to the men sent by the King to penetrate into the secrets of the ice region was not only enthusiastic in ■phraseology, but full of vigor and gesture, growing in vehemence as the visitors passed up the ranks of the performers, and were beckoued to the entrance to the runanga hall. Here, on the platform under Mr D. Gossgrove, native school teacher, were ranged thirty-five children, and , they gave an effective haka. After the visitors had taken their seats, Mr Taituha Hape, chairman of the Runanga., said:—"Gentlemen,—On behalf of the natives of Kaiapoi we welcome you. We are pleased to see you, as we have heard that you are sent- oy the King and the great nlen of England to find oivt the secrets of the great ice .bank in the south, and to brinpf back the results of your discoveries. We admire you as learned men, and wish to , do you honour, as you are going with your lives into the region of ice and snow. We hope you may have good health, and, 'tbxb God( will spare you to come back with stores of knowledge, and should you return to us no one will give you a- more' hearty welcome. In closing, we thank the Natives', Association, through Mr Seager, for this opportunity to see.the officers oi the Discovery." (Applause.) The Maoris were then introduced to the visitors, and installed Dr. Koettlitz as a native, by placing a poti on his head and a feather mat on his shoulders. Each person present afterwards shook hands with, the visitors. Dr. Koettlitz said:—"Mr Taitiiha and our Maori friends, —Greeting. We are delighted' to make your acquaintance, and thank -you for the way you 'have received ■us, and: your kind, words. Since we came to New- Zealand we have found) all the people hospitable and gracious, and we are specially pleased to find our Maori friends are interested in our work. The way in which they have received! us to-day will give something when we go south into the solitudes of the ice to look back upon, and remember-, how kindly you think: of Uβ. That the Maoris were interested in our work will be a pleasure , to us when we think of you, and anticipating when vre return we shall perhaps have another wslj come. (Loud applause.) I think all I can say is to thank you for the oflicers and men, and say we are very, very pleased with jovx reception. •Mγ Bera&cchi has a flag with a Maori motttv on it, which goes to the Antarctic with us." (Loud applause.) s Mj Hodgson thanked! the Maoris for the kind and hearty welcome. The officers of the Discovery had seen the wonderful evidences of the Maori race in curious carvings and trophies in the museum, and were ex-' tremely pleased to meet the moble people who had such a glorious history. The present 'welcome would be remembered for the i rest of their lives, and when, the Discovery returned from the- ice fields they hoped to meet again. (Applause.). ■ ' , Dr. Koettlitz explained l that Commander, Scotfc regretted »ofc being able to attend, but so many' matters required his attention on the ship fee could not leave Lyttelton., Mf,O. Hurst Se&ger thanked the' Maoris for having done honour to the visitors, and saad it gave him much; pleasure to bring the natives andi officers of; the expedition • together. ' f . - - -. •• The Rev. W. Blatnwayt, on behalf "of the Europeans, wished ..the members of the Discovery: expedition GodspeedL The natives then expressed a desire, to' sing a> hymn. Permission was granted, and a hymn was sung very - effectively, .after which- the rev. gentleman offered up prayer in Maori,and English.. . .The visitors .were then entertained to refreshments, during -which, the. n-atrve scholars, gave a, number of songs,-under the direction of Miss Cossgrove, and! at the close of the proceedings, , "God Save the King" was «ung in.the Maori' language. . The visitors drov%> over to Kaiapohia to inspect the fine monument erected at the rpstirig-place of tJhe' Ngaitahu- tribe. . After luncheon the party -returned to towru . , „ -