REWI MANIAPOTO'S VISIT TO AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5491, 23 June 1879, Page 3

REWI MANIAPOTO'S VISIT TO AUCKLAND.

It was generally understood that the special traiu would arrive about 2 o'clock. Uμ to that time the vreither had held fine, but soon afterward a steady rain, set in. There was not room for one quarter of those who awaited the arriral of the train to get under shelter in the sheds and waitingrooms, and the others were obliged to protect themselves with umbrellas and greatcoats as beet they could until the train arrived at 3 o'clock. In the interval, there was a large amount of good-hnmoured chaffing, but good order prevailed. Perhaps a specimen of Maori chaff may be worth (jiving. Wi Mail.i te Rangikaheke was on the platform, and he held forth as follows:—"Now this reminds me of the parable of the Prodigal Son. Rewi is the prodigal son who comes back to his father's house, after a coarse oE riotous living. You pakehaa are the father, and you are killim; the fatted calf and making great rejoicing for him. Now, here am I, the elder brother ! My tribe, the Arawas, have been friendly to the Europeans all tbeso years, and have supported and upheld you. But you never make any rejoicing for me. We are not treated as this prodigal son. , * There is a good deal of material for thought in Marsh's speech. There was a rush for the train on its arrival, and it was as much a>i ihe united efforts of the police could do to keep a small space clear, so keen was the anxiety to catch a. glimpse of Rewi. In coming into the station he occupied a position, along with the Native Minister, on a platform of the carriage, and both were received with ringing cheers. As soon as the visitors, who were accompanied by Mr. Lewis, Under-Secretary .Native Department; Mr. Ross, of Puniu ; Hitire, a distinguished Maori chief of the Taupo district; Marsh Brown, of Bay of Islands; and other natives, had alighted and order had been restored, they were received by His Worship thk Mator of Auckland, who said : Mr. Sheehan, as representing the citizens of Auckland, I have much pleasure in welcoming you and your distinguished friend Rewi to the city, and have to offer you our congratulations on the result of the labours of Sir George Grey and yourself in the Waikato. (Cheer 3.) It was with pleasure that we huard that on this visit you were to be accompanied by a chief so famous as Rewi is throughout the colony. We trust his present visit will be a pleasant one, and that ha will see much in Auckland worthy of careful observation in the progress and advancement which have taken place since his last visit, ia witnessing the comforts and advantages which have flowel from steady, peaceful industry. (Cheers.) We desire to express the hope that the friendship so happily boguu between the Government, of which you are a member, as representing the white people of the colony, and the large section of the native raco whom Rewi represents, may be continued and more firmly cemented, bo that henceforth both Kuropeans and Maoris may all sail peaceably together in the ear-e canoe. In regard to the friendly attitude which Rewi has assumed, I trust that he will see no cause to regret it, but that the good example and powerful influence which he can wield in that direction may be exerted throughout his lifetime, and that after he has gone it may, fresh as an evergreen tree, , continve among his descendants, a power to produce good and beneficial results for both races of the colony. (Cheers.) The Maoris have one form of salutation and the pakehas another, but they both mean the same thing. I now call upon the citizens to give three cheers for Mr. Sheehan and Rewi. The cheers were heartily given. Rewi was apparently nervous at the unwonted spectacle, and trembled as he looked at the ureat crowd around him. He was well dressed in European costume, anil held a greenstoue mere in his hand. But, indeed, Rewi's ner?ousnes3 is constitutional to him. Even when he rises to speak amongst his own people he shews much hesitation and tremor till he gets warmed up. He was apparently glad to see the Rev. Mr. Buddie, and a few other old friends. At the request of Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Buddie translated the Mayor's speech to Rewi. Rewi had now to reply. The circumstances were all against him, and no Maori would have attempted to make a speech under the difficulties which existed. They are acenstotned to address people all sitting down, and not confusedly surging around them. Rewi got out o£ the dilemma, not by saying that he was unaccustomed to public speaking, but by repeating an ancient Maori proverb, or whakalauki, containing a great deal in a very few words. Addressing the Mayor, he said, •* My reply to you will be brief," and then followed the proverb :—" He ketahi tangata na Motai, tera e haerea te one i Hakerekere." The worst thing about this speech was that nobody on the spur of the moment could translate it for the benefit of the crowd, who were all agape to hear what weighty sentiments Rewi had uttered in those few words. Maori proverbs constitute a terra incognita even to most Maori scholars. They frequently include words which have passed out of ordinary use, and in not a few instances, as in the. present case, they cannot be understood without knowing the circumstances which gave rise to the saying. Several natives who were standing around commenced to offer explanatory remarks, but Rewi himself took so part in the exegesis. He had said his say, and all persons might just puzzle out the meaning of it. He was, however, considerate enough to repeat the words to one of our staff, aad we append an explanation furnished by Mr. 0. 0. Davis, The literal translation is :—"A descendant of Motai, who will yet journey along the sands of Salcerekere." Motai was an ancestor of Ngatiraukawa (Rewi's tribe). Hakerekere is the name of a sea beach in the neighbourhood of Tarannki, probably owing its appellation to the iron-sands in that locality the meaning of Hakerekere being " dense darkness." The origin of the proverb is as follows :—A chief who lived near Hakereere, took captive a Ngatiraukawa worn α-a during one of his raids into the country of her people, and while in captivity at his settlement he taunted her by saying, "Who will be daring enough to come hither on a war expedition !" She replied, "He kotahi tangata na Motai tera e haerea te one i Hakerekere"— " there is a descendant of Motai who will yet journey along the sands of Hakerekere." A son of the captive woman, whose name was Kapu, traversed the sands of Hakerekere, fought the chief's party, and liberated his mother from her captivity. She related the previous conversation to her son, and the saying became a national proverb cf the Ngatirankawa people. Rewi's utterance of the above proverb would seem to meau that though he visits this city with but few followers, he is desirous of obtaining all the benefits he can receive from his inter-com-munication with • uropean communities, — that he is making an expedition for a great purpose, and one close to his heart. Perhape also he means, that the difficultwork yet remaining will be accomplished. Mr. Sheehan , said : Mr. Mayor and gentlemen, —If I were to say that I was not proud to-day, I should say what was not the case. Born in the place, I have always looked upon it as my home, and 1 am proud to bring amongst you one of our old opponents—one who met the Europeans in the first fight at Meremere, and in the last at Orakau, and one who, from first to last, fought us fairly, and whose hands aro unsullied by a single crime. From the first time I saw Rewi, I pinned my- faith to him as an honest man. His sole desire is to make the best possible arrangements for both peoples, and I believe that from the time of h's coming here there will be no more King movement. We may have tronbles and difficulties in different parts, but I believe the bulk of the people will go with Rewi, and will become part and parcel with the colonietsof New Zealand. (Cheers.) Hook forward to the time when Rewi will take his seat in the Legislative Council. He says he wonld doso at onceif we would bring back the seat of Government to Auckland. Rewi believes in the old seat of Government. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, on behalf of myself and Rewi, I thank you for coming to welcome us in such very bad weather. During the next four or five days, it is my intention, with the assistance of the Mayor, to let him see the places of interest, the industries, the timber mills, aud the manufactories of Auckland. It is twenty years since he was in this city, and I am anxious that he should carry back with him to his people some impression of the change which has taken place, i Passing along the railway platform to the carriages which were in waiting was a difficult job. Some dozen policemen could hardly keep back the crowd. The rain was falling heavier than ever, whioh spoiled the reception in great measure, and made anything like a display in town impossible. The carriages were driven to the Northern Club,

where Rewi is to reside. JHe attended th» S Theatre Royal at night with _Jtjhe Native B Minister and a number of Maori* -'• - • # 9 On morning of June' 1, the Hon. ,N*bja fig Minister, Rewi, and other influential g natives attended St. Pstrick'a CathedraL B Rewi and the other Maoris listened g very attentively, although--the former .• m is not a member of the Eornsn C»tno- || lie faith. After the regular service or m the mass wae over, the Rev. Father Walter E| Macdonald, who is h,;nself a Maori scholar, If! and has always taken an interest in the Wei- m fare of tlw native race, referred to the ffi., fact of Kewi and hU friendr being present, fc* saying he was much gratified to see them. I Speaking ia Maori, he urged upon tha *, natives to remember the concerns of theic ■< son Is, and to be constant in prayer. Father a - j Walter then gave the service of the Cnurctt ml in Maori. There were in all about 100 M. natives present. They all joined in the ». prayers and responses, and, at the concln- JE sion, joined in singing a Maori hymn. *j Rewi finished by attending the evening Vf service at St. Paul's Church. Kewi, ire may remark, belongs to the Church of England faith. He was mnoh affected during the service, and .even shed tears during a portion of it. ■Hβ remained after the service to hear; the practice for the organ recital, and white waiting j he observed the tablet erected in the church. J to the memory of Captain Hobson, the firefc . Governor of New Zealand. At Rewi'a j request Mr. Grace copied the inscription in ) English, and translated it into Maori, in order that he might take it back with him as a memento to his settlement, On June 3, accompanied by Mr, J. C. Firth, Rewi and party went to St.- Stephen's School, where a number of Maori bojs and fa lads are being educated. They were shewn «Hj| over the premises by the Bishop of Anck- g i laud. After the children had gone g| through some exercises, Rewi made them Gj | a speech, to the following effect: — fl j My advice to you youngsters is, to make_ «:] hay while the sun shines. Remember,* «| above all things, that yon wero born on Ha this island, and belong to the Maori people. MB Be diligent to learn what the pakeha has te h| teach, and to acquire his knowledge. I be- BJ hold in you the surveyors, the engineers, and K the lawyers who will hereafter .direct the K Maori people. Be strong to learn, bs quick K to l<*arn, that you may get back to as, the IB; old people who have not had these benefits, jR that you may make room for others in this B| school who will take your place. Rewi II (holding up a Testament given him by Bishop fc Cowie) sail: Kemember this above all B; things, that man was not made for the sole B. purpose of making money and benefiting HS himself. You owe a duty to your fellow- jj'J men, and your efforts should be directed, Mq not only to provide food and olothing for 9% yourselves, but to assist in advising and js ; directing the native people amongst whom .|lh; you will" hereafter go, and who will look up SI J to you for advice and information, because »] you have been trained by the Europeans.— B| The children then sang the National 9: Anthem. B; The Native Minister and Rewi then drove JK to Mr. Firth's house at Mount Eden, and In after a short stay ascended to the top J-' - of the hill. The day was clear and beauti- p tiful, and the splendid view could be seen to era the utmost advantage. Rewi sang two songs JK _ referring to the district of Taranaki, and to lO the large tribes who formerly lived here, and l:| who had their pahs on Mount Eden and the B i other volcanic hills of the isthmus. The old g J chief was fnll of recollections and traditions B U of the old times, and of the battles which H:f> had been fought for the Auckland district, H;j and the great'meetingß which had been held ■■] here before the arrival of the Europeans. fl - Pointing to the ocean ontside the heads he i: | said, "Behold that seal behold also the 1-1 harbour of Waitemata ! behold the tranquil B I waters of Manukau.' look at this level 9 4 country below us I all is peace and quietness B i in this place. Only wo who live on high I ; places are disturbed. Why wero these moun- § 1 tiinsmade?" Mr. Shoehan answered, "Your | 1 forefathers used them for places of safety. - | The pakehas use them as places of pleasure I ; and observation. I came here to see you at i .1 Waikato; if I cannot see you from the tap a . of Mount Eden, I will go to Taupiri, to a Kikepuku, to Ruapehu. I will travel to 1 J all these high places, that I may see yon, %_.-] that we may see each other, and know each |y others'thoughts." Rewi answered : "You j jfej are right; get up to all the high places, that jap you may see me living in the depths, and jpi may help me." »■'*■! In the evening William Tβ Wheoro, who | has for several years past, under the ad- !i ■ ministration of Sir D. McLean and L Mr. Sheehan, held an important office « on the frontier, and whose presence '" I there has, more than any other cause, 1 :, guaranteed the country against any outrage jar"'; on the Waikato frontier, gave a dinner at ff| - the Royal Mail Hotel to Rewi and the fl j Native Minister. There were about fifty jS-j natives present, comprising Hitire te Pairata |||.-;i (of Taupo), Te Rerenga (Mokau), Maihi fp. -i Paraone (Bay of Islands), Timoti Poihipi, ||%- Hori Karaka (M.H.R.), Rev. Wi Pomare, E# Paorft Tuhaere (Orakei), Hohepa Tamamutn !|a (Taupo), Hirini Taiwhanga,. Kaihan, William ; : -3f Wi Tako, Tamihana Tangihaere. There ||| were a few Europeans present, including If3g Mr. Lewis (Under-Socretiry Native Depart- Wm ment), Mr. W. H. Grace (Native Agent, tim Waikato), Mr. J. C. Young (Land Pur- ligi chase Commissioner), Mr. Moss (Private i||p Secretary to Native Minister). A number isf] of excellent speeches were made by the iljr Maoris. XS- :