. To:-- The Editor of "Wananga". Do you publish in the "Wananga" our grief for Sir Donald McLean, who has gone from our midst in this world, to his long rest in the next.-- Friends of all tribes of this Island, we receive the sad news on the 5th. inst., of the death of Sir Donald Mclean. On that day, at 10 minutes past 4 o'clock, -- we, the whites and Maoris of this place, at once formed a Meeting, and feast and mourning, to express our great grief for our Father of this Island. After the feast was over, -- Poihipi Tukairangi stood up and addressed the large assemblage as follows:-- "Listen! oh ye tribes! True indeed we must weep for our father, who has been taken from us, and left us alone in this world of trouble. Who is there left that we know of, who can manage the affairs of the Government in such a masterly way as he did, nipping the evil in the bud, of the Maori tribes of this Island. "What matters it! Old friend, depart! Of father, great indeed has been your affection to all the tribes of this island!" "Song of Mourning." "Lo, from afar, the gathering cloud Enwraps the sky as with a shroud; And heaving in its ancient pride The bosom of the restive tide Breaks forth anew in hoary foam, Whilst I in deepest sadness roam, Or sit me down to mourn the day That tore my loving son away... Son! did I say? Ah! he was more Than son, -- the stay, the life, the core Of this fond heart now tempest-tossed; And with him all my joys are lost. Thou art instructing day by day, The people how to read and pray; Ah! could they not in others find, An object suited to their mind; Must thou, alone, the loved, the best, Be taken while they spare the rest?." Hohepa Tamamutu then rose, and said:-- "My spirit is greatly troubled at that we have now no pakeha who understands the Maori language to speak to our pakeha friends. "Great is indeed my love towards Sir Donald McLean! Thus, oh ye tribes, it is true; let us pour out our grief for the sudden death of our Father, who was so very good to us during the years past. Ten years had he been working for the good of the Maori race in this Island. I am in great pain at the loss of Sir Donald McLean. "Go, thou, Oh Father! Though your body is laid in Napier, -- Go thou forth! This Island has been satisfactorily left by you. Thus it is well your going to the new world to rest there!" Rewiti, of Waikato, then rose, and said:-- "This is a painful Meeting, reminding us of the departure of our Father, Sir Donald McLean, -- separated from us in this world, to go to the next. "Go, Of thou the Father of the small and the great, of the Maori and the Pakeha, the Father of unabounding good!" Perenara te Papanui then spoke:-- "Friends! The Pakeha Chiefs, the Captains and Major Roberts, salutations to you! for you are the representatives of Sir Donald McLean in this place. This it is that I salute you -- his representatives -- as my regard for him who has gone with Hanauru -- as his fathers and his tribe before him; for that you are the race that is respected by McLean, his respect will never cease towards the Kingi people, and his own race. I praise your word much Hanauru, when you said, -- 'Let a great Meeting be held at Taupo!' "True indeed! as it will be in remembrance of him; and as we also remember him. Great was the respect you were all held in, by him! "Welcome,! Chiefs of Waikato, and of Raukawa! Welcome! as it has chanced to fall on the day of the death of our old friend. "Go, thou, from amongst us, Oh friend! Though separated from us in this world, -- go! The weight that has been put upon you by the tribe, has been removed." Hanauru, the great Chief of Waikato, rose and spoke:-- "True! we have chanced on the day of our trouble, -- that is, on the day that we are separated from our old friend, who was staunch to the New Zealand race. "Go, Oh Father! It is, perhaps, that you have been bewitched, because that your knowledge was so great to conduct everything well. That is the reason your days were cut short in your work in the Parliament. "Go, Oh Father! My only grief is that you were not allowed to set at rest our troubles before you were taken from among us, and left your son, Tawhiao, to carry out the instructions which you left with him. We are thus weeping for you, whom you have left." Taupiri then rose:-- . "Thou glowing sun that sinkest in the horizon, Leaving me to dwell in solitude, Oh! linger for a while to gladden me With thy presence. From whence these tears? That so bedew my cheeks. Are they From Whakaahurangi's lake supplied? When with trouble I'm opprest, As of yore, I raise my voice to thee, McLean! But alas! thou wilt ne'er again These sores make well, -- nor This troubled heart bring joy, Like unto the Albatross that Buoys itself round promontories, Thou keep'st watch over the land; Thou art gone, and the heavens Enwrapped in mist, Think fit to mourn. --" To the Editor of "Wananga":-- "Friend,! Salutations to you! Receive these my few words on board, so as my friends the Whites and Maoris, may listen to the pouring out of my great and heart-rending grief, for my beloved friend, Sir Donald McLean, who has been torn away from us." "A song of mourning of mine, for Sir Donald McLean.":-- . "Depart, my old friend, depart! The Father of the orphan and the widow, Depart, thou, Oh Father, of the little And the great! My love and grief For you will never cease! Thus I pour out my grief in a song!" Rora Nouoi.