AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 140, 24 June 1901, Page 3

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

THE FAREWELL. (Special to Times.) Auckland last night. Yesterday afternoon about two hundred and fifty Gisborne Natives returned to their homes by the Moura. They return contented that they have seen the “ great fish from the ocean,” as they styled the Duke in one of their recent war songs. TIJTA’S ELOQUENCE. Previous to tho departure Tuta Nihoniho, who is so well-known on the East Coast, occupied a prominent position upon the upper deck, and delivered a speech to the Natives of the various hapus, and to tho hundreds of pakeha spectators, who wero anxious to get a glimpse of these Gisborne Natives who came into great prominence during the Duke’s visit to Rotorua. Tuta commenced by stating that all tho Maoris had seen the King’s son, and what a grand reception they gave him. “ Mahuta was tho only absentee. Why should we bother about Mahuta V” said the sturdy Tuta, “ the road to Rotorua was clear, but he would not join us. Wo have all been there, and what a grand timo we have had! The only one. we trouble about is King Edward, not 1 King Mahuta.” GOOD ADVICE.

At this stage a Gisborne leading Maori advised Tuta that the least said about Mahuta the better, remarking, “ Ka mate a Mahuta. Mahuta is dead! We cast him into oblivion when we touch upon this matter.” A few minutes later the Moura sailed, amidst tho cheors of the departing Natives, one and all joining in the well-known Maori war cry—the war cry that the lion. James Carroll led his Natives with at Rotorua last week: — “ Ka mate, ka mate, Ka ora, ka ora, Tcnci to tangata puhuruhuru.”

[This chant is a very ancient one, and may be found in Sir George Grey’s “Poetry and Traditions of tho New Zoalandors.” The first words mean, “ It is death, it is death"; it is life, it is life 1” or as an English orator might more prosaically say, “ Wo are dealing with a matter containing tho issues of life and of death.” | _________