CHRISTMAS FEAST AT TAKAPUNA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VI, Issue 3, 15 February 1859, Page 4

CHRISTMAS FEAST AT TAKAPUNA.

On the 25th ult., the Ngatimaniapoto Chief, Te Rangi, gave a Christmas feast at Takapuna, to the Ngapuhi Chief, Eruera Patuone, and a large number of guests, Pakeha and Maori. (This was a return feast for the one given by Patuone last year.) On this occasion the festivities were marked by the presence of visitors to whom a gathering of Maories was a novel sight and who, as strangers from a distant country of which Maories have scarcely heard, were themselves objects of curious interest. These were the Commodore with some of the officers from the Austrian frigate, whose visit to New Zealand we noticed in our last. The Maori chiefs received their distinguished visitors with a hearty welcome, first in Maori fashion with the " Welcome stranger, &c.," and then with the Pakeha "Hip, hip. hurrah." War dances, and a sham fight were got up to gratify the curiosity of the strangers, after which complimentary speeches were exchanged. Paora Tuhaere, of the Ngatiwhatua, addressed Commodore Wullestorf " Welcome, 0 chief from a far country o'f which we have but lately heard. Our Pakeha friends lell us your nation is a friend cf the British whose Queen protects us and

under whose laws we are now living in peace. You are a strauger and for the first time behold a race whose fathers lived in ignorance, strife, and evil. You have seen the way in which our warriors wrought themselves into Jury and sought to intimidate their enemies. This scene you have looked on in safety. Had you visited us in former days it might have been otherwise. The hands but now clasped in friendship might have been raised with deadly purpose. You have seen many countries, some perhaps more beautiful than this. Yet are we happy; no evil disturbs us and we would not change our country for another. England's laws protect us. We live in peace and contentment, and always have a welcome for those who, like yourselves, visit us in peace." Commodore Wullerstorf replied in English, his words being interpreted to the chiefs. He expressed the pleasure be felt in finding the Maori people living in peace and surrounded by so many comforts. It was true that he had seen other countries more or less beautiful but in none had he observed such an appearance of contentment and happiness. He was truly glad to hear that they had abandoned many of their old customs most of which they would acknowledge were hurtful to themselves and productive of much evil. Eruera Patuone also addressed a few words to the visitors as follows:—"Welcome, welcome. The young men have welcomed you, and now I, the old man, the friend of the Pakeha from his first coming to New Zealand, also welcome you. What more can 1 say. You have heard what we have been: you see for yourself what we now are. I need not add to what you have now heard from these who have spokeu. Welcome, welcome to the land of the Maori and his friend the JPa&eba."

Several other young chiefs spoke. Hori Haupapa of the Ngatiwhakaue replied to the Commodore. The chiefs of this part have welcomed you. My tribe lives far away. I, however, am here, and I also welcome you. You speak of our living in peace and content. It is true. We owe this to the laws of our Queen. Once \var> murder, and bloodshed prevailed. Even now, disputes arise among us which are not easily arranged. As you landed, we were reading a letter from the North informing us that a long standing quarrel between two of our tribes is likely to lead to fighting. Were the old Maori system still in force we might expect soon to hear tidings of strife and bloodshed. Now, however, it is remembered that the Queen's laws do not permit her children to fight one with another. Angry passions are therefore restrained in the hope that some amicable arrangement may yet be effected» But why should I obtrude these matters upon you. Your errand is one of peace and love* Bear away then with you the regard of those assembled liere. We are proud to have been visited by an officer of your august Sovereign, the friend of Queen Victoria and her chifdren.