COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO THE

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 494, 13 June 1865, Page 4

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO THE

NATIVE CHIEF PITA TAURUA. In another place will be found in the letter of our Coromandel correspondent, an interesting account of a complimentary dinner given by the European inhabitants of Coromandel to" the Chief Pita Taurua, on the occasion of his leaving that district to settle down on his lands in Hawlie's Bay. The effect of this demonstration on the part of the settlers has been to induce l'ita to give up his long cherished idea of settling down in Hawke's Bay, and to remain as heretofore at Coromandel.

Of Pita's loyalty to the Queen and ofhis desire to live in peace and good-will with the European settlers there has never been the slightest doubt. To his exertions are we indebted for the continued peace and tranquility of the Coromandel district during the height of the war, and on a later occasion for the prompt assistance rendered to Mr. Mackay and Ce.pt. Freeniantlc in the expulsion of the Pai Mairires from Kennedy's Bay.

it is a pleasing feature in the intercourse of two races, to have to record an occasion of this character, showing as it does the friendly feeling which underlies tho dealing of the settlers with the native where, as in the instance of this chief, conduct and character entitle him to their respect. It is a pointed rebuke to those slanderers of the colonists, who aro so ready to declare that the settler coveting the land of' the Maori, picks a quarrel with him for the sake of embroiling him in rebellion, and thus furnishing the colony with an excuse to confiscate his laud. Nor is it less pleasing to find th:-' :his expression of feeling on the part of ..ie settlers so worked upon the mind of the nn i: o, that he at once declared that his determination, of permanently leayiug the district was abandoned, and that he would live for the remainder of his days amongst friends who had given him so unmistakeable a token of'their esteem. These are the feelings which would long since have actively and generally subsisted and continued between the settlers and the natives, but for the interference of' the occupants of that Augean stable, the Native Office, and of the men, who above all others, should have pro- 1 mulgated the doctrines of charitv and good will, instead of those of mistrust and suspicion between tlieipeople of the two races.

[DMIiY.