The Royal Visitors.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 48, 26 February 1901, Page 2

The Royal Visitors.

MESSAGE FROM NGATIPOROU

TRIBE

“ COME THOU GUEST FROM

AFAR,”

The present numbor of tho Maori newspaper Pipiwliarauroa contains the message sent by tho Ngatiporou and Poverty Bay tribes to Her late Majesty tho Queen anent the visit of thoir Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchoss of York to New Zealand. Tho messago was sent by tho Govorner last December, and tho natives at that time requested that it should not be published, in case they should be forestalled by other native tribes throughout the colony. It is not yet known wliethor tho message was received by the Queen beforo her death, but as it has boon forwarded there is no harm in our giving a translation of it, which has boon done by a gentleman in this district, to whom wo express our indebtedness. Tho message is truly characteristic of the natives, and runs as follows : “ To our chicftaincss, exalted, honorable and beloved Queen Victoria, to our Gracious Mother.” “ Salutations and greetings to you, who now occupy tho sacred Throno handod down to you by your fathors and ancestors. God bless you and lengthen your days whilst you rule the races under your mana in justice, love and peace. 11 Oh Mother, accept our sympathy in your sorrows from the past down to tho death of your youngest son, the Duke of Edinburgh. Accept our sympathy m tho anxious time you must bo having during the trouble now existing between yourself and tho Boors. Wo, your native pcoplo, do feel impatient to render you our help, but, owing to your cautious mind, we could not obtain our desire. Nevertheless, we shewed our attachment and our loyalty to you by helping in other ways. , . , , « oh Lady aged, our hearts do hopo and long to see your face, but this may be impossible. In tho year 1868 the Duke of Edinburgh visited thoso islands, and wo, tho tribes inhabiting the East Coast, hopod to havo soon him, but wo wero disappointed. Tho other tribes, however, of the West Coast of the Noith and of the South, were honoured by his presence amongst them. “And now our bosoms throb, our breath quickens, and our heartstrings quiver: for behold 1 thy special grandson, the Duke of York, together with the Duchess of York, are to visit our shores. And as wo thy people know tfiat ho is ‘ the kotuku that makes one flight only, and never returns,’ wo therefore - our mother, these of your tribes, pray you to invite your grandson to lot his war canoe turn its prow into our harbor, and let his feet tread our soil at Turauganuiakiwa, at the spot in tho Ika-roa-a-maui (the Ion" fish of Maui—tho North Island) upon which Captain Cook planted hip footsteps. Let him call hero so we may behold him as your representative. “Wo your subjects, the Ngatiporou tribe and the Ngatikalmnganio from Turanga Wairoa, have proved loyal to-. your mana from 1840, tho year of tho signing of tho treaty of Waitaugi, to the prosent day, and will continue to do so to the end of the world. Our blood has been spilt in upholding your mana and in suppressing troubles that rose in this island, and we feel proud of the fact that you presented our old men with swords and othor tokens of your gratitude. This is our welcomo to your exalted grandson: “ Come, thou guest from afar. Poace has drawn thee to appear from the horizon —has drawn thee—-has drawn thee. God bless tho Queen."