TAWHIAO AT NGARUAWAHIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6147, 30 July 1881, Page 6

TAWHIAO AT NGARUAWAHIA.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Ngaruawaiiia; Friday. Thjs Ngaruawahia people, with the assistance of the Rev. W. Patene, Pita Wharemama, and A. K. Patene, have this morning presentedTawhiao, Rewi, Wahanui, and party withalarge quantity of food, consistingof 1800 loaves of bread, 8 tons of potatoes, 4 sheep, 3 bullocks killed, 30 pigs killed, 2 cases biscuit, 8 bags sugar, a box of tea, other requisites, and firewood. A'war-dance will take place this afternoon.

The movements of the party are not yet decided. I believe they will proceed by train as far as Mercer on Monday. Tawhiao is now visiting Major Mair at the Delta Hotel. Later. .. The natives having been challenged, gave a war dance, and haka this afternoon to a large concourse of persons assembled, who were.delighted with the novel performance. Two casks of beer were subscribed for and given to the natives. Tawhiao, with the rest of his party, go to Mercer on Monday.

THE DINNER AT NGARUAWAHIA. After partaking of. food, presented to him by the friendly natives of Waipa, here yesterday afternoon, the Maori King and his eons made a tour of the township, and visited the bridge. By some mishap, the reception committee could not succeed in obtaining a cottage for Tawhiao and his family until dusk, and that an empty one. '. Mr. F. Edgecdmbe, however, came to the rescue, and forwarded bedding for Tawhiao's accommodation. It was a late hour before settling down, and the King,; from old' recollections, was not in a mood; for conviviality, and sent an apology foriot attending the dinner given in'his honour at the Royal Mail Hotel, but requested that his eldest, Tu Tawhiao, with his two brothers, Poukau and Te Ngahe, might. represent him, and the elder chiefs. The dinner was, therefore, on the visitors', side,-principally attended; by the young chiefs, .with Tuhi to keep them in order. Majors Mair and Jackson' received' ihvita-. tions, and attended.

. Mr. Edshtstd Fitzpatbick occupied the chair, with the guest of the evening, Tα Tawhiao, on his right hand, and Major Mair on his left. Mr. Robert Lamb occupied the vice-chair, and proposed "The health of Her Majesty the ■ Queen," which was most heartily responded to, as were other loyal .toasts.. : -;.'. ■ : ■ . . . ■•;

; 'The Ciiaiesian then proposed health of Tawhiao." He was pleased to see" the friendly spirit in which he and his chiefs had been received at : all the Waikato townships he had visited. He was glad also to welcomethem'to Ngaruawahia. He would have liked to have seen Tawhiao' present, but he was well represented by his eons.:; : : .-'. i ; The toast was drunk with musical honours.

; Honaka MatohA'respondedon behalf of Tawhiao. He was pleased at thb'entertainment jproyided'for Taivhiao, although he was not, here.' He also fully appreciated -the honour in -Tawhiao's health.being driinb'so heartily by' the Europeans present., ..'■■- ' . -. i :The'.Yice-CnAtRMAN proposed "'"The ,health of 'Rewi and "Wahanui, aid; all the chiefs of the Waikato tribes." '■--'• '-> r. :;<■..■;■

\ ! ToHi, responding to -the -toast, said : We were separated in;1883, - andi have met in ;1881 toffether, united at "this table. It is Tawhiaas strength Which .has done this, >! Pou Kiurisf also respoßde'd.-: ' -", ," ■• ■" A. ■i I The'' toast-of : the : King's" three ; sons, pro.-, posed by Mr. P. Edgecombe, were, also drankiwith-enthuaiasm. and responded'to by .^XTawuao.;:;,' : ' , ' :.' '■•<•■■•<-- . . . : I ThipHAmsiAli "The health of , Major'Mair.'t- All the settlers, tfem;aware that, in a great measure, it was-, that, gentleman's : that_Jhad brought the happy event they witnesiecTthat day. J'3™y;, weU;tkn"own''that' Major".Mair had -.worked- i; f6r'years : 'to -'■ bring , -Maoris ',and- , together. The gathering this I^-811^ 4 -^ Buccess?that -h£i a£ :God'sj.and:man's work.that had , ibdut the happ^re-umoniofthe^o'&" ■ : .f Mr. Geoigp Browa, of the "Native OnVce' J: Auckland,- efficiently: acted as interpreter to ,^thel'^Varions' - • "-God : Save-the compaihy; the t air. being vrell'leoL'off By'MisS Fergus)3on,' a;halicaate belonging t<!; Tawhiao'a part^.