THE MOUTOA MONUMENT.

We take the following account of the ceremony of uncovering the monument erected to the memory of the fallen brave, from the Wanganui Chronicle of the 27th inst. This monument, which now graces the Market-place of Wanganui, was formally uncovered by his Honor the Superintendent yesterday afternoon. It has been erected by the Province of Wellington, at a cost of between £700 and £800, in commemoration of a victory obtained by several hundred friendly natives over a band of Hau Ilaus at Moutoa, after an engagement in which a number of the former were slain. The monument has already boon described in the * Chronicle ; ' it is therefore sufficient to repeat that although somewhat diminutive in size, it is otherwise a perfectly finished work of art. The base is of polis/ ie( j Vic torian stone, closely resembling granite, the pedestal and sculptured figure of Grief surmounting it, are of white marble. The work was executed by Huxley and Parker, Melbourne. A low iron railing, formed by arrows neatly crossed, encloses the whole. On one side o^ the pedestal is the following inscription : — " Eua Whakaarahia tenei toma e te parawine o Weretana hei Whakamaharatanga mo nga toa tana i Kinga ki Moutoa i te 14 o Nga ra o mei 1861, i to awhinatanga i te noho-pai e akina ana onga ritenga kino o namata e te whakapono-porangi.' The opposite side has a free translation of the above. Thus : — " To the memoi*y of those brave men, who fell at Moutoa, 14th May, 1864, in defence of law and order, against fanaticism and barbarism, this monument is erected by the Province of Wellington." The third side contains the name of the fricndlies who fell in the fight — " Kno nga tangata enci i kiuga ki Moutoa : Hemi Nape Koreti te Hiwathi Wiari te Patu Riwai Tawhitorangi Heremia te Rangita- Penetito te Eorewa kuku Maniheru Mani Rotohika Waitoki Hakaraia te Riaki Wireinu te Waruiti Pehira te Kohuoranru Warena te Pohe Hohepa te WhakaMatin te Potuhi ruku llare te Kalio Lay Brother Euloge." The remaining side contains tho brief but important statement — "4th September, 1865. Isaac Earl Featherston, Superintendent." The weather was fine yesterday : the heat of the sun being tempered by a gentle breeze ; and a large concourse of holiday seekers, including of course, many of our dusky allies, assembled in tho Market-place to witness the proceedings. Before the ceremony took place, the Native Contingent treated the spectators to a war-dance which was at loast sufficiently demonstrative, British soldiers too often find their dress and accoutrements a hindrance to them, tJie natives take care that they shall not be encumbered after a similar fashion, their coveriug being reduced to the scantiest proportions - certainly scantier than beseems the modern idea of civilisation. About half-past three o'clock his Honor came upon the ground, accompanied by D. S. Durie, Esq.! R.M., and W. L. Buller, Esq., Natire Magistrate, and having ascended a temporary platform erected beside the monument, he gave a short address. Wo understood his Honor to say that thero were I no surer means of promoting and perpetuat I ing a spirit of nationality and patriotism than by publicly acknowledging the value of great services rendered to one's country, and by handing clown to posterity the names of those who had distinguished themselves in the cause of order and liberty. And this course was proper and becoming, not only or so much with the object of paying a tribute of gratitude to heroes andstatesmen, although that was most commendable, as of exciting other men to follow their example, and tlms to foster a spirit of geuerous emulation and national glory. Hence it was that the account of distinguished achievements occupied a prominent place in the historical re cords of all great nations, and the memory of them had always been fondly cherished by a grateful people. It was to this twofold desire also that they owed the highest triumphs of genius in tlio arts of painting and sculpture. Men dissatisfied with tho mere record of groat deeds sought to perpetuate them on the glowing canvas and in tho durable marble. It was in accordance with this feeling that the Moutoa monument had been erected. Ho was convinced it would bo an incentive to their native nllies to stand fast in the cause of law aud order. Everyone understood the feeling that was excited among British soldiers by the presentation of the Victoria Cross. When that distinguished honour was conferred on any one of their number, there was not a man in all tho ranks but felt fired with the ambition to strive after a similar glorious distinction. In the same way he felt convinced that their native allies, looking upon this monument, before accompanying Gen. Chute on his expedition, would not rest satisfied until tho foul murderers of Kcreti and others were duly punished. At the conclusion of his speech, the Superintendent drew aside tho covering which had hitherto concealed the sculpture of the monument, and the whole stood revealed to view. Mrs. Colonel Logan then gracefully unfurled the flag. Three cheers were given, and this part of the programme terminated. A banquet to the Native Contingent — eating and drinking at least — not unlike O'ltorke's noble feast, which -will ne'er be forgot By those who wcro present and those who were not — closed the proceeding*.