ACCIDENTAL INTERVIEW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 81, 3 April 1873, Page 2

ACCIDENTAL INTERVIEW

BETWEEN^Mr. .M'LEAN andJ.THE NATIVE KING'S SON; , O [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] *-■ y ; [We are indebted to J the Hon. Mr. M'Lean for the following interesting account of an accidental interview between himself and several Maori notablities*' including tbe eldest son of ..the "King," at Kawhia, wLere the Luna put in for shelter. The visit appears to bave been a most fortunate one, and likely to lead to more intimate and peaceful relations between the Maoris and the Europeans J Wellington, April 2. The Luna crossed the Manukau bar at half-past twelve o'clock on Monday; a strong south-easter was blowing with heavy sea. During; the afternoon and evening the sea • grew heavier, and the weather became so disagreeable that it was determined to take shelter for the night under Albatross Point. About halfpast ten the Luna was snugly anchored there, and on: Wednesday morniDg'as the

sea had not abated, the vessel steamed into Kawhia harbor. Captain Fair-child found the entrance to this beautiful haven just as he had known it when he last visited it in May, 1867. On that occasion he piloted H.M.S. Eclipse, Captain Freemantle, which had on board Sir George Grey, then Governor. There is still the same ease of entrance, and when inside the same splendid, shelter and anchorage. The Luna first ran into the southerly branch of the harbor formed by the River Waibarekeke, and anchored close to the house of Mr. S. A. Joseph, now of the firm of Messrs. Montefiore, Joseph and Co., of Sydney. Some Maoris at once came off, accompanied by the chiefs Maneha, his two sons, and Haupokia. During the morning other parties of Maories were received on board, and at length they came from the northerly (or Kawhia river), side of the harbor, among them the chief Tapihana, who gave so much trouble " to the Europeans formerly. An animated scene then occurred upon deck. Tapihana addressed Mr. M'Lea'n in words of welcome, and he, as well as the other Maoris said that if the Luna had not been a Government vessel, with Mr. M'Lean on board, she would have been ordered to leave the harbor. The threat would not have been an idle one, for several hundred Maories could have been collected in a few hours. Tapihana, however, expressed great pleasure at seeing Mr. M'Lean, and made use of the remarkable expression that when Mr. M'Lean first visited the Kawhia harbor it was open to him, that now at his second visit it should be open to him and the Government vessel, and that on his third visit it should be open to all vessels. Mr. M'Lean replied in friendly terms, and Wi -Tako, who displayed unusual activity during; the day, followed in a long speech, in which he pointed out to a large number attentive Maoris the advantage of peaceful and friendly relations with the Europeans. Mr, M'Lean now became aware that on the Kawhia river side of the harbor there were some important personages, and he sent a boat across. On its return he received the information that the elder of the King's sons, Tutawahia, was staying at the King's house at Kawhia, together with Hone Wetere (John Wesley), and other chiefs, and that if the Luna went across Tutawahia would meet Mr M'Lean . Accordingly, the Luna steamed over, and Mr M'LeaD, with two officers in attendance, landed. He was received on the beach by Hone Wetere, and at the gate of the garden of his father's house Tutawahia met him. A most remarkable interview followed; the accidental arrival of the Luna was hailed as a good omen for the future. Mr M'Lean was invited to enter Kawhia whenever he pleased, and he was finally asked to stay until the " King " could be sent for to meet him. Mr M'Lean said that he could not stay, but he invited Tutawhaia and the attendant chiefs to visit the Luna and be introduced to his Excellency the Governor. After some hesitation, they consented. Twice Tutawhaia asked "But will you carry me away if Igo ? " He was assured in reply that he might go on board or not as he pleased, and that if he went he would be conveyed on shore again as soon as he wished. On reaching the Luna, Tutawhaia and his followers were introduced to the Governor, the Colonial Treasurer, and other gentlemen, including Mr Fearce, M.H.R., and Mr Christopherson, ConsulGeneral for Sweden and Norway, who is now on a visit to New Zealand for the special purpose of reporting to his Government as to the capabilities of the colony respecting immigration. Tutawhaia is a fine, manly, handsome young fellow about nineteen years old; he displayed throughout much feeling, and on his arrival on board he was deeply affected. The unexpected and sudden breach of the isolation in which he had dwelt seemed t<? impress him most powerfully, and for several minutes he had to be left in the midst of his followers, who seemed to vie with each other in their manifestations of affection and respect for' him. After partaking of luncheon, and being shown the engines, etc. of the Luna, the visitors took leave of the Governor, who presented to Tutawahia a pair of saddle holsters whichhe had much admired. The visiors then returned to the shore, accompanied by iMr M'Lean. Before leaving Tutawhaia and the- chiefs, Mr M'Lean announced that he would return to Kawhia in as short a time as possible, for the purpose of renewing his friendly relations with Tutawhia and in all probability meeting 'the King.' It is likely that from the visit of the Luna to Kawhia most important results in the interest of the future peaceful relations with the King natives will arise. ; Had the visit been planned instead of accidental, the Maoris would doubtless have resented it; as it was, nothing could exceed the good feeling and friendship -they manifested, i Haupokia accompanied Mr M'Lean to side the wharf about half-past six. ; v i '^yj^''"j.''X;-''r';'";''. . i;i ;■: .' l 'V .;•,■■■ V-, I ;"' •'■'■'"''.'•' "'.'■'•:>: ','.'■',■!" ■.. '■: '■.'••'!'.-' '■'

Coach fare from Winton to Kingston, a distance of 75 miles, is .2s each way. This is rather a hot opposition. The Westport Times reports two fresh discoveries of coal — one at the Waimangaroa, a seam 6ft thick, and another near •what is known as the new. Nine-Mile Track.. " Not withstanding- the long enforced idleness in many claims in the Charleston district owing to the scarcity of water, the yield of gold during the "past month has not fallen off so much as had : been anticipated. The monthly escort brought up on Wednesday more than 1700 ounces. A Sale of the Birch Hill cattle and horses was held at Blenheim by Messrs N. Edwards & Co. last week when* the prices realised were, for steers' and heifers from 32s 6d to 555; cows in milk; with calves, from £6 6s to £8 10s; drauhgt horses from £12 to £36; and hacks from £8 15s to £16. According to a contemporary, no other town in the Colony can compare with Auckland in the valentine business. There they sell amazingly for a couple of weeks, and this season one bookseller, in a small way, very quickly disposed of valentines that cost £100 wholesale. Even Maoris buy them, and set their European brethren au example by carefully eschewing such as are likely to offend. Lovely brunettes best please the Natives, who are confident that dark-com-plexioned ladies must be half-castes. Patea. — A constant stream of settlerß is moviDg into the Patea district, taking with them stock and farming implements. Hawera is fast rising into importance, the natives have commenced to construct the road by the back of Egmont, the fine weather favoring its progress. The only want in Patea is more land for settlers of moderate means, and it is hoped the Government will dot delay in disposing of the railway reserve. — Wanganui Herald. It was stated during the last session of the Assembly that Otago was making all j haste to sell her waste lands. A committee j was appointed to inquire into the statement. An area of 50,000 acres had been sold " to meet the expenditure of the votes (provincial) in appropriation." A fair price was obtained for the land. The committee reported, "That as to the policy of disposing of land in large blocks, the committee are clearly of opinion that it is not to the interest of the province, or the colony, that sales should be allowed to take place, as in the present instance, and that upon any sale of lsnd, of whatever description, the opportunity should be given to the whole public competing." Captain Machell AD.C.to Sir George Bowen has written a long letter to the Field newspaper on sporting and travelling in New Zealand. The following is an extract: — The grand tour of tbe world, including New Zealand, is now an easier matter than was the grand tour of Europe fifty or sixty years ago. In seven or eight weeks the traveller can reach this colony from England hy steamer from Liverpool to New York, proceeding thence by railway across the North American continent to San Francisco, and thence by the steamers across the Pacific to New Zealand. After spending two months here, and seeing the wonderful hot lakes and geysers of the North Island (surpassing those of Iceland),,and the glaciers in the Southern Alps of the South Island, the tourist cau return to England by the steamers of the Peninsula and Oriental Company, seeing en route Sydney and Melbourne, the'chief cities of Australia, and also, Ceylon, Aden, the Red Sea, Egypt, Malta, &c. The entire tour thus shadowed forth need not occupy more than six or seven monthß. Sir George Bowen has already, through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, drawn the attention ofthe Royal Geographical Society and the Alpine Club to the fresh field for exploration afforded by the Mountains and glaciers of the Southern Alps, the highest peak of which is Mount Cook, which rises to 13,200 feet above the sea level. Members of the Alpine Club have already been to the Caucasus, and they may with much greater ease, safety, and comfort explore the mountains of a British Colony. They would receive every aid and encouragement from the Colonial Government, and could make their start from the hospitable houses of settlers at the foot of the principal ranges. At a raffle at Dubbo some extraordinary, throwing was witnessed. The raffle was three throws and three dice, and the winning cumber was 53. Out of the thirteen throwers 10 threw 40 and oyer, [How about the dice ,?J Y: '" ; ' "Y Y