TAWHIAO'S MOVEMENTS YESTERDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6296, 21 January 1882, Page 5

TAWHIAO'S MOVEMENTS YESTERDAY.

Notwithstanding the steady aownpum. rain yesterday, Tawhiao, his three 30ns, and a number of his chiefs visited several business establishments and manufactories in the city. Mr. VV. Swanson, M.H.R., and Councillor Offer acted as guides in the first instance, and the party were subsequently joined by His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Hemus, and Mr. Ellis, of Aotea. These gentlemen exerted themselves to explain the several matters of interest, to the natives, so as to interest them in the local industries of the city. The first place visited was the establishment of Mr. Samuel Coombes, clothier, and for the thousandth time the omnipotent power of advertising was illustrated by the King enquiring after those "one guinea trousers, our own make." Next followed the hat manufactory of Mr. Fen ton, which interested Tawhiao greatly, as lie gives his august patronage, as the public will have noticed, to the " belltopper." Tawhiao then called upon his old friend, Mr. T. B. Hill, chemist, but as he has "thrown physic to the dogs" just now, his visit was necessarily brief. TIIO party then proceeded to the extensive business premises of Messrs. McArthur and Co., where they were met by Messrs. C. C. McMillan and F. Larkins, who courteously showed them over the building, and explained everything of interest—the fire service, the " strong-room," &c. A number of mechanical toys were set in motion by clockwork, and their performances greatly amused the natives. Tawhiao was invited to take a seat in the "lift " iu order to being lowered from the top storey to the ground floor. lie at first declined to trust the fortunes of Kingism to the mysterions concern until Messrs. McMillan and Larkins got in themselves, when his confidence revived, and he was speedily whirled below out of sight of liis attendant followers, who were not quite sure that all was right, Htitil they iiad hurried downstairs to Snd him safe and sound. Before leaving, Tawhiao, at the solicitation of Mr. McMillan, picked out a silver-mounted riding whip, of unique design, from r. collection submitted to him, as a souvenir of his visit. A few minutes' walk brought the party to the boot manufactory of Messrs. Garrett Brothers. Tawhiao was greatly astonished as he looked around that hive of industry, and watched the motion of the several machines used in manufacturing boots and shoes. The employes gave him three hearty caeers on his entering these workshops. His " measure" was taken at the outset, and a pair of Doots manufactured for him from a side of leather during his brief visit, he being requested to try them on before leaving. This style of thing eompletely nonplussed the Maori monarch, who regarded it as little less than witchcraft. That which pleased Tawhiao most, however, waa a splendid bearskin of which Mr. Garrett hejgcd his acceptance. He at once put it ou like a mat, Maori fashion, and commenced to declaim, remarking that the pakehas should have let him know of it so that he could have worn it at the banquet. Tawhiao has now reserved that pleasure -till he meets the Northern natives at Helensvillc. Mr. Garrett also presented him with a handsome pair of embroidered slippers for his wife, so that he left the establishment supremely happy. A brief visit was also paid to the boot factory of Messrs. Parker, Green, and Co., and these gentlemen courteously showed the party over the premises. A stitching machine, which sews a slipper every thirty seconds, greatly interested the natives, who are puzzled to know where all the thousauds of boots and shoe 3 they saw 1 went to. An adjournment was next made ' to the carriage factory of Cousin and Atkin, Eliott-street. Here the natives were shown every variety of tool possible for cutting and shaping wood into the forms desired by the workmen. Planks were steamed and bent up as if of leather into any shape needed. The furnaces, with the bellows blown by steam, the welding of iron, and the decoration of the carriages, were all explained to the natives by Mr. Atkin, From the study of the arts of peace the party now proceeded to the gun shop of Mr. Hazard, where Tawhiao and liis chiefs pondered over those of war. A machine for making cartridges greatly interested them, also the latest arms of precision. Perhaps the most singular weapon submitted to their examination, and one ■vhich puzzled them greatly, was a " hamnerless" gun. It was loaded, and Tawhiao .vas requested to fire a round or two with it n the shooting gallery, but he evidently ihouyht it was uncanny, and declined, preerrini; the favourite weapon of the Maori, ;he double-barrelled fowling-piece. One of lis sons, however, fired two or three rounds vith the above-named weapon. An adjournneut was then made to the lapidary's shop lext the dress circle of the Theatre Royal, vherc Tawhiao spent some time examining he kauri gum and greenstone ornaments, ilso the handsome meres there exhibited. t this stage Major Mair joined the party, •nd it being now nearly 6 o'clock, Tawhiao ,nd his chiefs wended their way to their lotel, after bidding adien to the gentlemen pho had so kindly entertained them and hown them round. Mr. J. C. Firth's garden party was postioned owing to the rain, and the programme rranged for yesterday with regard to this vent and the Fire Brigade practice will proably take place on Monday. 'AWHIAO AND PARTY AT THE THEATRE.

Mr. P - Doran provided an entertainment last night for the Maori guests of A uckland, which afforded them infinite delight. Tawhiao was present with his family, his immediate friends, and over a hundred of his principal followers. The programme was specially arranged for the occasion. The entertainment commenced with an overture by the Hobson Band, followed by the horizontal bar performances of the Elder Brother, md Beake Brothers. To playgoers who are more familiar with exploits of this kind, they do not offer the same grounds for wonder, but the Maoris were aroused by them to the highest state of enthusiasm. Hie King,, however, who was attended by Major Mair, was perfectly still and immovable, but Te Tuhi, his secretary, and his youDger friends expressed their delight by clapping of hands, by shouts of surprise, and by general demonstrations of satisfaction. Mr. James Elder, the "one-legged gymnast," was evidently the greatest favourite. While this performer was "doing" the high trapeze feats Te Tulii turned his back as if the nervous strain were too much for him. There were sentimental songs by Mr. J. Marshall, comic songs by Mr. T. Margetts and Mr. O'Hare. The double trapeze by the Beake Brothers elicited similar enthusiastic applause, and the "Roman Rings" drew forth like admiration. ?V ixt . to tlle acrobatic performances the Maoris bestowed the greatest favour upon tlie dances and "break-downs." The " double " and "treble" song 3 and dances hy the Mettani Brothera brought forthshouts of laughter. They seemed convulsed with laughter. The entertainment as a whole was thoroughly appreciated. The house wa3 well filled, and the Europeans enjoyed | the entertainmont nearly n3 much as the I natives. But a very large amount of the | pleasure felt by the ordinary visitors was enhanced by the genuine delight of their Maori guests. Mr. Doran is so experienced a caterer of amusement for the public that this special entertainment was an excellent contribution to the festivities incident to Tawhiao's visit to Auckland. The performers were greeted with loud cheers from their patrons just before the curtain felS. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. The members o£ the Reception Com- | mittee will meet this morning at 10 o'clock, at the room of the Chamber of Commerce, and proceed in conveyances to the Governor Browne Hotel, from where His .Worship the Mayor and the committer will escort Tawhiao and chiefs to the City Waterworks. Tiie method of supplying the town with water will be explained to the natives, after which the party will proceed to Onehunga to inspect the Mangere Bridge, and thence to Mangere, to the estate of Mr. tiVco Be <- ? crao ' who has invited the. na- „' c . lleon with a select party of noon thp s ® tU era and others. In the afternoon the party Wl ll drive on to the residenceof His Worship the Mayor, "The rower, lvcmuera, where they are invited to a garden party, coming to town in the evening for the torchlight procession and exhibi- ' tion of fireworks. It will thus be seen that if the weather is at all favourable Tawhiao and his fellow-chiefs have a pleasant day's entertainment before them. The Fire Brigade will leave their headquarters at 8 p.m. in torchlight procession, aud the fireworks will be displayed from the Railway Wharf about 9 o'clock To save some disappointment to sightseers, it may be as well to state tb at the best view of the latter will be from the Queea-street Wharf, as persons going to the Railway Wharf will be unable, owing to the height of the framework, to witness the ejlnbitian uninterruptedly.