MEETINGS AT SHORTLAND TOWN AND OHINEMURI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE THAMES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3351, 13 April 1868, Page 3

MEETINGS AT SHORTLAND TOWN AND OHINEMURI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE THAMES.

Karaka Goldfield, -April 10, His Excellency the Governor, the Premier, his Honor the Superintendent of the province of Hawke's Bay, Dr. Hector, Government Geologist, Captain Young, the Rev. D. Bruce, Mr. Carleton, M.H.R., Mr. Farmer, M.H.R., and Mr. A. Baillie left Shortland this morning in the steamer ' Sturt' for Ohinemuri. Before landing atTeHira'skainga, on the Ohinemuri, the natives were to be communicated with to the effect that his Excellency would remain at tome point on the river until they were prepared to receive him. Mr. Maclcay, the Civil Commissioner, is now at Ohinemuri settling a tribal question, and will convey to the chiefs the importance of the visit. His Excellency could not have visited the Upper Thames at a more opportune time. King natives and friendlies are met to discuss a question of title to old leases granted to Europeans. 'Jhe customs i attendant upon this occasion will convey to the visitors an idea of Maori usages. Te Moan an vi, Taraia, and Riwai are good speakers, and possess considerable influence with the tribes professing allegiance to the Crown, whilst Tukukino and others are delegates from the King, empowered to dictate the Royal authority. At present there cannot be fewer than 500 natives assembled at the Obinemuri. A meeting was conrened last evening, at Captain Butt's hotel, for the purpose of expressing the indignation felt by the inhabitants at the dastardly attempt made on the life of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Id consequence of the absence of the promoters of the meeting, and more especially that of our Senior Warden, the only motion brought before the meeting was that those present should assemble at the same place on Tuesday next, when the speakers would have an opportunity of expressing their sympathy and indignation. Lasteveniugsome personalities were indulged in, nhich. I hope will be avoided at the next meeting. The bulk of the population on the Karaka goldfield is Irish, not one of whom but feels that he is called upon to defend hit loyalty to the Queen. Feni»nism is a popular word, and no more, where the ever-potent gold salve cements good feeling amongst all. His Excellency the Governor told the men who met him at the landing place yesterday that a more happy and contented community he had never witnessed.

The following aaoount of what; took place at the meeting at Obinemuri is made up from the notes taken at the meeting by Mr. Commissioner Mackay : — The 'Sturt,' with his Excellency and party, arrived at Pua Manuka, near the confluence of the Ohinemuri with the Thames, in the forenoon of Friday, where about six hundred natives were assembled at a meeting, presided over by Mr. Commissioner Mackay. W. H. Taipari, Tanewha Kirahi, Te Moananui, Haora Tipa, and other influential chiefs at once accompanied the Commissioner to the ' Sturt,' and invited his Excellency to land at their encampment. Big Excellency and suite landed at 11 30 a.m., amid shouts of welcome and waving of garments, when he was conducted to a seat which had been placed for him. On the right and left were about 400 friendly natives of the Ng*ti|>aoa, Ngatimaru, Ngatiwhanaunga, and Ngatitamatera tribes. Immediately in front were about 200 natives of the Ngatitamatera and other tribes professiug the Hauhau superstition. On his Excellency taking his seat the latter commenced a war dance, and advanced towards him— this was repeated twice. On the natives seating themselves, Ta.ra.ia. N&iKtm, the celebrated aged chief of the Ngatitamatera tribe, came forward and spoke as follows : Welcome, O Governor, come to us, come inland, come to let us hear your words, come inland to see your tribes, come to express your thoughts ; welcome. Wibope Hotjsrene Tatjpabt., chief of Ngatunau, then said : Welcome, O Governor, come to us as the representative of our Sovereign the Queen, under the authority of whom we dwell in peace ; come in the name of the Queen; we welcome you as the upholder of her law. Karaitiana, a chief of the Hauhau portion of Ngatitamatera, then spoke : Welcome, Governor, you are welcomed by the tribes ; come inland to the tribes ; let us hear your words whether good or evil. Reihana te Tahua, of Ngatimaru (a leading Hauhau chief), then spoke : Salutations to you, O Governor j come inland to the tribes ; come to us ; close up and gather together that which has been severed. Come for good, come for evil, you are welcome. Taraia Ngaktjti : Come here ; lam living in peace ; come ; you find me here. lam dwelling quietly, and will do so. His Excellency the Governor then addressed the natives as follows, and his speech was interpreted sentence by sentence by Mr. Commissioner Mackay. This is the word of the Queen and of me, her Governor and representative. Since I first came to New Zealand I have taken the earliest opportunities of visiting the Maoris of every tribe, in every part of the country. The Queen is always glad to hear that her Maori children are living in peace and harmony with her European children. It is, and always has been, the wish of the Queen that there should be one law for both pakeha and Maori. The word of the Queen is that the pakeha and Maori should be united as one people. Of course, a people so intelligent as the Maoris are, understand full well that the arrival of a new Governor does not alter the law. The Governor and Maori chiefs, like other men, are mortal, and pass away like the changes of the seasons - the law reamins the same for ever, even as the sun shines in heaven whether in summer or in winter. I have come here to uphold tbe law. If any man be aggrieved, let him state his grievance in a lawful manner, and justice shall be done to him, whether he be pakeha or Maori. I have said enough for the present, but I hope before long to return, and then to be able to address you in your own language. Te Kuihana, a Hauhau chief of the Ngaciwhangaunga tribe, then said : Welcome, O Governor, come inland ; your words are good. Ruhanjl te Pahtja. : I have heard your words j they are good. You are welcome. (He then Bang a song.) Your words are good. Te MoanAndi, loyal chief of Ngatitamatera : We will not talk here. It is for Taraia and others to speak here. We will talk on our own land, at the friendly settlement". Matara, of Ngatitamatera: Welcome, O Governor. lam a man of no importance j still I welcome you. HoHEPA Kafbni : Jome, O Governor. Come and gather the bushel of wheat that has been upset. Cover it up with earth ; it will grow. Come ! You are welaome. His ExcriiLicncy the Governor then replied as follows (his speech being interpreted by Mr. Commissioner Mackay) : lam very well pleased with the welcome you have given me, and would like to remain a longer time with you, but the state of the tide compels me now to leave you. I hope to see you all again before long. I now aay farewell. The natires expressed themselves highly satisfied with his Excellency's visit, and on his departure the usual Maori farewell, "Haere! haere!" was given freely and heartily from every direction. His Excellency and snite, with the addition of Mr. Commissioner Mackay, tbe chiefs Taipar, Karauna, Piniha, and others then embarked on board the •Sturt 1 at 12.15 p.m. The tide had fallen considerably, and on reaching the shallow immediately above the junction of the Puriri stream with the

Thames, the steamer grounded. She floated again at 6.15 p.m., when she proceeded down the river, and arrived off Shortland at 8 p.m. Here Messrs. Whitaker, Turner, Baillie, and Lundon, Her. Mr. Bruce, and Mr. Commissioner Mackay landed. The latter gentleman, after being an hour on ihore, returned to the steamer, and she got under weigh for Auckland at 9.35 p.m.