TE PEETI TE AWE AWE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8196, 30 January 1907, Page 2

TE PEETI TE AWE AWE.

THE UN VEILING CEREMONY

During lu& speech Jit tlic above torrmony m Palmerston -| Mr Harrv Larkins, the well-known ] Oroua Bridge settler, made reference , to the native name of the Square, - which meant ''no more trouble, and to the fact that it had been .uiUH'd bv thr l«to chief. with others of the tribe. Ho referred to the j question of names because the pro- I ceedings of to-day was the consummation of their desires, and he wished that the Native Minister should know the names were now confirmed by the erection of the monument. He said this because lie was a descendant or the late chief To Peeti Awe Awe, and in the earnest hope tlmt in the future there would never be any trouble occurring within this locality. Mr Larkins expressed, on behalf of the natives, their warm appreciation of the handiwork shown in the construction and oroetiun of the monument. He was pleased and gratified at the nresence of the Native Minister and all others assembled, indicating as it did a love which was strong and would be binding in the future. He could liken_ it to nothing better than the feeling of a brother for his sister. (Applause.) Mr Larkins concluded Jus rein arks by wishing all present "Kai j Ora." (Applause.) I Mr \Y. .T. Wood, ~x . j pressed. his pleasure at the presence of the Hon._ J. CarroW on such ail historic occasion* The memory of the late cluot had been highly and deservedly oi'Aogised by the lion, gentleman, had told them of his martial d" e cds and of his help to the Govor'mnent of other days, _ but lie | omitted to state that after tak ing part in all the principal fighting. Peeti had buried his sword, and said that as far as he was concerned there would not be any more bloodshed. Peeti had been very instrumental in bringing about a friendly feeling between European and native, especially by selling his fertile lands in the Manawatu to the Government, land upon which we were now settled, and upon which thousands of settlers prospered. He had a distinct memory of the departed chief, and Mr Wood said ho looked upon him as a bright and noble man. He was a man who helped the early settlers, provided for them and looked after them. As the Minister had stated, the native race was :pass\ing away, but Mr Wood hoped it would be many years before they would be called upon to take part in such another ceremonial because, be he brown or white, they were all proud of a noble man. (Ap-I plauso.) He had hoped after the | last statistics that the native race would show an increase, and he desired to say that he was proud of tli-'. native- race, a race of men of good and noble qualities. Mr Wood expressed pleasure at the presence at the ceremony of Ereni te Awe Awe, sister of the deceased chief.. He. also mentioned that Koei Te Pane (Grey), a chief of over 100 years of age, was also present. He also was a man of noble, qualities, and in this connection Mr Wood mentioned that the Post Office, recently opened by Airs Wood, had been named after the aged clviaf. Mr Wood expressed his pleasure at the enthusiasm shown by those present, and the evident good feeling existing between European and native, and he hoped the two races would continue to live in unity and amity. Mr Wood, before concluding, paid a tribute of praise to Mr W. Moffatt, secretary for the proceedings, as well as to his sister and son, for the success of the general management. Mr Wood's remarks were frequently punctuated with applause. Before the gathering dispersed, Mr Cohen expressed the thanks of the natives for the presence of the volunteers, a recognition, he said, they greatly appreciated. THE LUNCHEON.

Subsequently the visitors were entertained at luncheon at the Municipal Hall. Thero were fully one hundred and fifty guests. The chair was occupied by Mr W. T. Wood, M.H.R., who had on his right the Native Minister and on his left Wilson Hunia, the well-known Rangitikei chief. The vice-chair was occupied by the Mayor. A sumptuous repast, was provided, and at its termination a short toast list was honoured, Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R., again interpreting.

After the toast of the King had

been honoured, just as patriotically by Maori as by his pakeha. brothor, tiie Mayor proposed the toast of "Parliament." In doing so, lie paid a tribute of praise to the memory of the lat-e Mr Seddon. He dwelt at length upon tho beneficent laws that had been framed in the interests of the native race, and coupled the toast with the names of the Native Minister and Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R.

Mr Carroll, in responding, said the day had been a unique one for one section of the people of the colony.

The memory ol ; the late chief had been done honour to by those present. This was quite a native day, and they highly appreciated the compliment paid them by word and deed during the day. Referring to the toast, he said we had the personnel of the representatives of the House before us, but their worth could only be determined by their work in the House. Parliament- had before it at present some very vitai questions, and upon the land question rested the renown of the representatives in Parliament. Reference was made to the universal franchise, and he said that every decision arrived at was beyond doubt the consensus of the opinion of tho people. On the question of commerce, he said that our trade, relations must be so manipulated that its possibilities in relation with the other outside possibilities would be such that the outcome should have the best possible result. We should also foster those industries which wo possessed, so that they would lead to the best possible results. Our dairying was already almost perfect, but we should strive not only for more extensive production, but also better quality. As it was our products, and our mutton and beef, had met with such a reception and demand upon the markets of the world as to induce imitation, closely resembling fraud, by opposing manufacturers and producers. As to Parliament itself there were

several questions of deep concern coming before the present Government. They were on the verge of difference with regard to the occuparcy and proportion of land, and without going into the merits of the freehold or leasehold, he advocated steps tiiat would lead to the advancement and betterment of the people. He paid a tribute of praise to the old settlers who had carved out their homes in the bush, and ho hoped they would get their proper deserts. Population was increasing and there was urgent need

for more land; there, was also need for assistance in several branches | and departments, and the time had I ai rived for another shuffle of the | political cards, with the idea of advancing those aims and principles that had done so well up to the present moment. More people were required upon the land and more production was required, thereby imparting vigorous life to those industries which at present wo had in our midst. Referring tu social matters, he said one question that would have to be considered was the better housing of people in the centres of population, and he alluded in this connection to the object Jesson of the evils of overcrowding and unsuitable houses to be drawn from the large centres of population in the older cities of the world. We had ample time, and opportunity in which to do this, but the object lessons alluded to should be surely sufficient for us to avoid the pitfalls, shoals and sunken reefs of the description referred to. It

was necessary that we should take steps to maintain our well-to-do reputation, because beneath the surface there were things that required regulating to this end. Mr Carroll concluded his remarks by a general appeal to preserve the high ideals already in view, and to open up a further vista so that we should make things bettor in this world than they were when we came into it.

j Mr Houe Hoke, M.H.R., in the I Course of his remarks, expressed the | opinion, that our mode of selection of candidates for the House was wrong, and that instead of the people, submitting a policy, as it were, the candidate should state his particular views and what he was prepared to

do, and the people should then elect or reject him as the case might be. At present a man was elected by a

community several sections of which held different ideas, and the poor unfortunate representative hardly knew where he was.

Mr Wood also responded to the toast, and in doing so differed from Mr Heke's expressed views. Mr Wood, in a reference to the obligations of members of the House, said that ho thought it right, while the present Government maintained the ideals and desires of its late chief, Mr Seddon, that those members of the House who were returned to support Mr Seddoii should continue that support to Sir Joseph Ward.

The toast of "Native Chiefs" was proposed by the chairman. He said be had known many of them during his 27 years' residence in Palmerston, and found them men of great ability and character. Incidentally, Mr Wood mentioned that Mrs Snelson, the first white woman to arrive in the 'Manawatu, had been met by Peeti te Awe Awe and brought in a canoe as far as the Hokowhitu. The toast was coupled with the names of Rakena, Kerei te I'ann and Wilson Hunia, the two latter briefly acknowledging the compliment, Mr Hoke interpreting. The toast of the "Early Settlers'' was proposed by Mr Hone Hoke, who said too much praise could not be accorded them for carving out their homes. He hoped that the energy shown by them would be copied • by men of the younger generation and would induce thorn to similar effort? in the service of the country. The toast was associated with the names of Dr. Rocks-row, Messrs 1). Rowlands and L: G. West, each of whom responded. The proceedings terminated with a couple of hakas by the natives, which were, greatly appreciated by the pakehas present.