BIG NATIVE MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1898, Page 5

BIG NATIVE MEETING.

Till-; GOVERNOR, ADMIRAL, AND MINISTERS BANQUETED.

WELLINGTON, May 26

The nafives at Pnpawai, near Grey-1 town, in the Wairarapa, had made; great preparations to entertain the*' Governor, but, unfortunately, a heavy thunderstorm broke over the place, and dclugi-d it, with rain. A speciall train from Wellington look His Excel-j Jency and Hie Countess, Admiral Pearsou and a number of naval officers, the Premier, the Hon. T. Thompson, unci a party of invited guests.

Addresses .were separately presented to the Governor, the Admiral, and the Premier. The variety of the. titles bestowed on the. Admiral were rather amusing, as he was termed Chief of the War Canoes, Fighting Man of flic Sea. Commander of thfe Vasty Deep, Chief of the Winged War Birds, besides other metaphorical epithets.

The Governor in reply alluded to the loss' the native race had suffered by the death of Major Kemp, and the English race, by the death ol: Mi*' Gladstone, and expressed bis satisfaction at the depth of loyal feeling shown by the assembled natives to the Queen. •

The Premier, said it was recognised that the land was a burning question witli the Maoris to-day, and he was satisfied there was a general disposition on till sides to do them justice. The natives had mentioned that a number of leading men had not yet arrived from the North, but he saw before him a large number ol! influential chiefs from all parts of the colony, which satisfied him that it was a -re« presentative gathering.

An adjournment was then made to a large banqueting hall, forming part of the same building, to the whole of which it may be mentioned that the Premier's name has been given, but owing to delays caused by the weather, there was very little time for this part of the ceremony.

His Excellency and the other leading guests were presented with Maori mats,, and the Governor briefly proposed the health of Tamahau Mahupuku, at whose invitation they were present. The chieftain r-esponded in a speech of a most loyal character, and the guests then returned to their train. The Premier, Mr Thompson, and Mr Carroll (wdio was at the pa) stayed behind to discuss land business with the natives.