TAWHIAO AT NGARUAWAHIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6146, 29 July 1881, Page 6

TAWHIAO AT NGARUAWAHIA.

I.BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Noaruawaitu, Thursday. Tawiiiao, Eewi, Wahauui, Major Mair, Henarc, and Kaihau, with all the chiefs and Hauhau followers, numbering some t>oo, arrived here this morning. Tawhiao came as far as Pukeiahua, in Mr. McGuires buggy, escorted by those of the party on horseback. The foot party, with Rewi and Major Mair, came by special train of seventeen carnages. The natives were cheering the whole road. Arriving at Pakeiahua, the train stopped, and discharged the passengers, and, joining, Tawhiao marched here. Tawhiao went into the train, and appeared delighted as a schoolboy. Arriving at the engine he leaned over and warmed his hands, saying it was the best canoe he had ever seen. He went on and examined the engine, and after a short consultation with Major Mair the whole party formed, and on arriving a short distance from the triumphal arch, saw an inscription in Maori—"Welcome Tawhiao and his people." The whole party commenced firing, and continued some time at a funeral pace. At the arch the party halted, when they were met by the reception committee, Messrs. E. Fitzpatrick, T. Davis, Dickeson, Keesing, Laing,' Simmelhag, Kay, aud Lindsay. Tawhiao cominq forward, Mr. F. Edgctjmbe read the address, in Maori, to the following effect :—" We, the Europeans residing at Ngaruawahia, have great pleasure in welcoming Tawhiao and his chiefs. Welcome, welcome I Our hearts are filled with joy on account of this sign of peace by your coming to visit us according to ancient custom, as this place was once your own. We give you a cordial welcome. We hope that the peaceful relations which now exist between you and us will continue. —F. Bdgcumbe, T. V. Fitzpatrick, and others." ■ .

Mr. Edgcumbe then the address to Rewi, Tawhiao being too" affected to receive it or to reply. Tchi, therefore, in his behalf, replied : Listen, Europeans. He has now reached the place he intended to visit for the present. Allow ns to pass on. Tuhi exclaiming as he proceeding onward, "Oh, Taupiri mountain ! Oh, Waikato !" The whole party were evidently much moved with grief at the courtesies being exchanged. Tawhiao with the party went on. Near the township they were met by some 50 of the Lower Waikato natives, and the Revs. Barton and Tarawhiti, with firing guns, waiving of boughs, and crie3 of "Welcome to Potatou's grave." Here the whole party halted, the King in the centre crying. After some time in silence, Tawhiao made a speech similar to the others he has delivered at other places, but concluding (a version given by the natives themselves) :—"The time has come : here is the land; and you people who are assembled here, are those to settle the question between us. If yoar proposals meet my wishes the difficulty would be settled at once. I will never break my word." The up train from Auckland, on coming up the centre of the meeting, broke it up. Tawhiao waving, the train come on. Tho King then shook hands in a friendly manner with the people assembled, and then went to the beach to receive food from the friendly natives, which is now proceeding. A dinner will be given to Tawhiao and the thiefs at the Royal Mail Hotel this evening.