MAORI GATHERING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 6

MAORI GATHERING.

PRESENTATION OF SWORDS,

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sunday.

The presentation of swords to officers of the New Zealand Jubilee Contingent was made the occasion yesterday of a big native gathering of a patriotic character, at Papawai, near Gneytown North. Natives were prescht from al! parts Of the North Island, and there was also a good sprinkling of representative Europeans from the surrounding districts. A large number of members of Parliament had arranged to take part in the demonstration, but owing to the all-night sitting cf the House on Friday, only about 15 of them made the trip by yesterday morning's train, but with friends of Ministers and of members the whole Parliamentary party • numbered about 50. The Governor and suite joined the train at Pigeon Bush, and among those who went from town were the Hon. J. Carroll, Colonel Pole-Penton, Adjutant Owen, Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt, and Lieutenant - Colonel Porter, and Major Bonar. A. feature of the gather-* ing was the parade of mounted infantry belonging to the Wairarapa district, the turn out of the Maori corps being particularly 'creditable.

Upon the arrival of the visitors at the Papawal Pa, Mr J. Jury, on behalf of the natives, extended a hearty welcome and greeting to all. Addressing the Governorhe said: Since the Treaty of Waitangi the Maori race had remained 'firm and loyal to the Crown, and when the natives had heard of the resort to arms In South Africa they had all been anxious to uphold the honour of the British flag In the contest for supremacy.

The Governor. In replying, said It was pleasing to him to take part in the presentation of these swords of honour. They would be treasured in after years as marking the great Diamond Jubilee of the Queen, not as badges of war, but as emblems of a great gathering of sons of the Empire in the capital city of the Empire. Since that day of peace and tranquillity, events of great importance to the Empire had occurred, and a similar assembling of the Empire's sons had taken place, but under different circumstances, and for a very different purpose. These sons of the European and native races had come forward \ anxious to draw tho sword on the Mother Country's behalf. He said It seemed almost unnecessary to thank the Maoris for their loyalty, which was felt by all to be genuine and true. With such loyalty it could only be a pleasure to Her Majesty's representative to take part In native gatherings as* often as they occurred in New- Zealand. Speaking personally, he Said it was his pleasure and his duty to do all that lay in his power for the native race,

I-lis Excellency, whose speech had been received with manifestations of delight by the Maoris, then proceeded-to present tho swords to Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt, M.L.C., Nelson; Captain Tunuiarangi, Walrarapa; Lieutenant Pringle, Palmerston North, and Sergeant-Major Tareha, Hawke's Bay.

Tho swords, which were handsomely embellished, bore the following inscription: "Presented to (name of recipient) by the New Zealand Government, in commemoration of his visit to London with tho New Zealand Contingent of Mounted Rifles, to take part in the celebration of the 60th year of the reign of Her Majesty - Queen Victoria, June 21, 1597."

In handing* over the swords the Governor said they were given as emblems of the greatest peace celebration of any. nation in the world. "If they are Wanted for other purposes," he added, "I have no doubt they will be at Her Majesty's disposal,"

After a march past by the mounted corps, tho visitors were entertained at luncheon in the large meeting house in the pa. In all about 700 people partook of the hospitality bf the natives.

Unfortunately the Weather was not altogether favourable, heavy showers falling at intervals during the day. The party from Wellington returned by last night's train.