TAWHIAO AT AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6782, 14 February 1884, Page 3

TAWHIAO AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, Wednesday. Tawhiao, the Maori king, Tv Tawhiao, his son, "Wi Te Wheoro, M.H.R., and the rest of the party who have come down from Waikato, wera entertained at dinner at the Auckland Hotel to-day by the Rev. W. Pomaro and Te Heinara, of Mahurangi. After dinner the Rev. W. Pomaro, who occupied the chair, rose to propose the first toaat. He was apparently in some little difficulty about the order in which the toasts should be given, but at length he compromised by proposing " The health of the Queen and the King." He hoped they would both be long Bpared to reign over and to take care of the Maoris and Europeans. The toast was drunk cordially, all standing, but not noisily, there being no " jolly good fellow " business. Tawhiao then passed several times up and down the room. Apparently he did not feel his dignity hurt by being placed after the Queen, and no doubt he is willing to give precedence to her as a lady. He said, "I am unnerved, and my heart i 9 breaking on account of the sentiments I feel. lam a dark-skinned man, and my utterances are dark also ; but let us all be equal, Maoris and Europeans. If I pass away without carrying out my projects, then those who come after me will surely be able to do something for the well-being of the people. Although my face ia black, yet my heart is like jaspar. I desire in all my actions to adhere to great principles. 1 shall journey onward, myself and my sons. These are my sons sitting here. I shall cross the great ocean fcbat lies between this aud England. I will go in the canoes of Te Aporangi and Te Ateirehia, because they belong to your ancestors. [These are two canoes belonging to the Ngatiwhatua, and probably Tawhiao meant that he was going for the cause

of the Maori people. 1 The great thing for us all is to adhere steadfastly to principle. As for the old lady to whom you have referred, it is quite right you should speak of her in connection with myself. I am the same as those great men Te Kowau and Te Hemara. Hero I stand alone. [Te Heira Te Kowau wa3 amongst those present.] All the great ancestors of the people have disappeared from the face of the earth, and only these are left. I say, let us all stand on the same level, whether we be white or black." Te Hemara again proposed " The health of the Queen and of Tawhiao ; may they both be preserved and keep together and protect the Maori people and pakehas for ever and ever." (Ake, ake, j ake.) Te Wheoro spoke a few words, and tha proceedings terminated. . ™"*" *" i