VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR GEORGE GREY, TO LOWER WAIKATO.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 2, 15 January 1862, Page 7

VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR GEORGE GREY, TO LOWER WAIKATO.

On Monday morning, the 9th of December, His Excellency and party started from Auckland, and reached Papakura by dinner time; after which they proceeded on to the Mauku. where the Governor and bis party were entertained at the residence of Major Speedy, the Resident Magistrate. On Tuesday the party went forward to Waiuku, and were met on reaching the village by F. D. Fen ton, Esq., and H. Halse, R.M., together with ; a large concourse of Natives and Europeans, who greeted His Excellency back again to New Zealand with a most cordial welcome, and conducted him to a large tent erected for the occasion, where about 150 Europeans and Maories sat down together to a substantial repast. This being ended, His Excellency addressed the assembly,, and replies were given by Ahi pene, Hori Tauroa, Paora, Maehe, Pataea, t lhaia, Rapata, Tipene, Aperahama, Paroa, and Te Kobi. The settlers of Waiuku also presented a congratulatory Address, which was graciously responded to by the Governor. Oh Wednesday, the Hih, His Excellency rode out, with several of his suite, visiting the settlers and inspecting their cultivations, and he was highly gratified with the progress which had been made during his absence from New Zealand. On Thursday, the 12th, the Governor and bis party went on to Kobanga, the Missionary station of the Rev. Archdeacon Maunsell. They went by the Awaroa, in a large war canoe, which the Ngatitipas had sent for their conveyance. On reaching the landing place, all the Natives were found awaiting

£;.-:i£*:i ■■;■■ ■ ■■<■ '■ '• ':- : '. ' . . . ' His Excellency's arrival; the way to the settlement being lined by men on one side, and womenl iand school children on the other, and great indeed was the manifestation ofjoy; at Ahe return of their former Parent. Un the evening of the same day, an interview with the Governor was obtained by some of the Chiefs. On the d 3th and 44ib, the weather was wet and boisterous; but on the 16th, the great meeting was held at Taupari, the kahiga of Waata Knkntai. About 700 Natives were present, some of whom represented the Maori King party and the Upper Waikato. the Governor explained to the meeting assembled the line of policy which it was proposed to pursue towards the Natives, and the exposition was listened to with ; silent attention. At 2 o'clock, the assembly broke up, for dinner, and at 3 o'clock they met together again. The Natives spoke freely to Sir George Grey, declared that they approved of bis policy, and considered him as their friend by whom the Batf : afflictions of the land might be healed. The'Waikatos said they could make no promise for their own people, but they would returni and report all that they bad seen and lieard. ' On the 17tb there was another meeting; those assembled were representatives of five tribes ;Ngatitipa, Ngatiteata, NgatitaUiuga, Ngaiimahanga, and Ngatipou. The-place was a large Native building erected, we bfclieve, Tor the purpose. Above His Excellency's seat was fixed an image of full length caryed. in wood, the tatooing exquisfiely performed; feathers of the pigeon ingeniously put together representing the half; the feathers of the Hiiia, so highly prized by the Maori, were used as ornathe body of the figure was covered wjtfe a Native mat of the finest texture, and a stone axe of great antiquity bung by its hand. Again, Sir George Grey slated to the meeting the things that he proposed to do. He was answered by the Natives, one by each individual expressing his loyalty toJtbe Queen, and his attachment to her Representative, the Governor. vVben all bad thus spoken, Waata Kukutai stood up and, pointing to the figure which we have above described, said, "Governor Grey, that is our ancestor. We all, these five tribes, take our origin from him; he is our our ancestor; we give him to you; we give you also his mat and his battle" axe; we cannot give you more."

The Governor said, "I accept him, and I will keep your ancestor with me." On the evening of the 1 7tb, forty young men were selected to take the Governor up to Mangatawhiri, and in the early morning the parly started in two large canoes, that one in which His Excellency sat being distinguished by carrying the flag of Tipa, the ''ancestor" of the tribes, whose image figured in the ceremony of the previous day. From Mangatawhiri the Governor came into Town by the Great South Road.