OHINEMUTU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5996, 4 February 1881, Page 3

OHINEMUTU.

The great topic this week isthe visit of His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon. He was i expected to arrive at Lake House Hotel some time about 6.30 on Sunday evening. A small troup of natives and a sprinktiisg of Europeans assembled in front of the hotel, and at 6.40 a cloud of dust along the level road past the Post-office, called the attention of the idlers to the fact of his approach. Driver Cookson was soon discerned tooling in splendid style a good team of four-in-hand, which drew up in a smart canter at the hotel. A song of welcome from the natives, with the hat-raising of the Europeans, heralded the entrance into this wonderous Hot Lake district of Her Most Gracious Majesty's Representative. To the byestander it was difficult to know which of the passengers on that Yankee coach- was the man whom we are told to honour and obey. Dressed in a rough Scotch heather mixture travelling suit, with the national Highland bonnet, rough flaunel shirt, open at the neck, guiltless of collar or necktie, tired, travelstained, the chief of the Gordon Clan marched in front of his party, into the entrance hall of Lake House, where Mr. W. A. Ellis, the courteous manager, showed the illustrious visitor to a magnificent snite of apartments, specially fitted up for their reception, at great cost. Early on Monday morning, Sir Arthur, accompanied by Captain Knollys, A.D.C, Mr. Murray, Mr. Brown, Private Secretary, and piloted by Mr. Ellis, paid a visit to the Maori village. The "carved house " was the theme of admiration. Its grotesque carving, illustrative of Maori lore, seemed perfectly familiar to His Excellency, who discoursed [ learnedly on the subject to his companions. The natives took little or no interest in the illustrious visitor in their midst, with the exception of presenting him with an invitation, asking if he would graciously pay a visit to their council-house during his stay, as they were desirous of putting several important matters before him. . His Excellency made no reply, but indulging witlx a bath in the clear warm waters of Lake Rotorua, proceeded to his hotel to breakfast.

The afternoon was devoted to a visit to the celebrated sulphur point, to which the party were directed by Major Mair. In the evening, a ball was given in the new billiard room of Lake House. All the Europeans, and many of the principal Maori chiefs were invited. The room was tastefully decorated with ferns and flowers, and hung with many coloured Chinese lanterns. The sun-tanned faced of the Maori belles, muslin.clad,' with ribbons of rainbow hues, formed a, striking contrast to their sober-attired pale-faced European partners. Dancing in earnest commenced at-9 o'clock, when the Vice-regal party entered the room. Captain Knolly, his Excellency's aid-de-camp, expressed his surprise at the ability of the natives in the various European dances. Early on Tuesday, the Governor's party proceeded to the far-famed Rotomahaua Terraces, staying for the night at Wairoa, and returning to Lake House on Wednesday evening. Soon after S a.m. on Thursday, His Excellency and suite, with their mounted escort, departed en route via Taupo for Napier. Much surprise is expressed amongst the natives that the Governor refused, or rather did not meet the principal chiefs of this important district. Considering the many difficulties that have for some time past occupied the attention of the authorities with regard to the settlement of what will some day be the sanitorium of the world, it is to be regretted that His Excellency was not better advised than to treat the natural owners of this picturesque corner of the world with such scant courtesy. . The high-handed policy of cool indifference may suit the attenuated culture of the Fijians, but not the keener organisation Of the Maoris, who, as a race, are painfully alive to the importance of political recogniscence. The Native Lands Court, for which we are indebted to the exertion of Judge Fenton, open on Saturday for the first time in Ohinemutu. Great numbers of natives are coming in from the up-country districts, and many important matters will be raised. Judge Symonds, with the Clerk of the Court, Mr. Austin; are already here. Mr. B. F. J. Edwards is specially retained as native interpreter. The weather is magnificent, and great numbers of visitor arc pouring in.