GOVERNORS AND MINISTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 5

GOVERNORS AND MINISTERS.

NATIVE MEETING AT WAAIII

Loudly chanting- an appropriate Maori song.of welcome the hospitable natives of Waahi Settlement, opposite Huntly, warmly greeted, their distinguished, pakelia visitors on the Ist March, as their novel conveyance the large canoe, Taheretikitiki, landed them close by the picturesque village. The occasion was the formal visit of the Governor of New Zealand (Lord Els-rafurlb:)j accompanied by EaSrlBeanchamp (Governor of New South Wales), and the Hon. the Premier of 3sew Zealand, to Mahuta, the Maori "King:"' The weather was beautiful, and the open-air gathering- was a. very interesting- and pleasant affair. About 400' Maoris .from' .various parts' of ■the Waikato district, and including contingents fro mother tribes were gathered at the village. Most of the leading Waikato chiefs were present at the gathering including, of course, Mahuta Tnwhiao, the -so-called King, Henare Kaihau, M.H.R., Hori Kukutai, Te Eawhiti, Tihirahi, Ngatete Karaka and Ahuriri. The- European, visitors included' in the vice-regal and 'MinistenaT' party, besides those pr curiously mentioned, the Hon. J. G. Ward (Minister Of Bailways), Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister), Hon. T. Thompson, Miss T^tioitipson,'Mrs Witheford, Messrs W. J. Napier, F. Lawry, M.H.K.'s, Mr J. H. Witheford. Mr ■¥. Lang, member for .Waikato, .joined the party at Huntly, where Mr W. A. Graham, of Hamilton}' also met the party. ..."'.'. ';'•■";

Mahuta, a- man of about 44 years of age, wearinga big kiekte hat, was first to'speak. Rising from his mat, opposite, the Governors', he courtemisly welcomed his visitors to Waahi, to the homes of the Waikato people.

Lord llaorrf u.rly, in responding to' the address, said he thanked Mahuta, his chiefs, a~nd the natives present very heartily for their warm welcome. ■

Karl Beauchamp also briefly thanked the Maoris for their welcome.

The Eight Hon. Pi. J. Seddon then addressed the Maoris through Capt. Mair. He thanked them heartily. He said his heart warmed towards all. them*. Regarding", their grievances, .he^' hoped '■ Parliament' next session would altogether remove Maori disabilities in respect of land, etc. Before concluding _ the Premier .announced the details concerning Cronje's surrender to General Roberts, which he ,had just received by wire. This was received with loud applause.

The Hons. Carroll and Ward also thanked Mahuta and his people, after which cheers \vere g-iven for the Governor, the Premier, and Mahuta. The visitors were then hospitably entertained by the Maori Committee at an excellent repast.in a large dining hall, after which the party marched back to the' river' bank,' escorted by the Maori bauds, and returned to Hiipfjy in -the'TaheretiWitjki, after '.fi very cordial send ;' off l irom" the warn! I hearted .Ma0ri5....,,;. -, ,^. J _._!_