WI PERE INTERVIEWED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9285, 12 February 1889, Page 6

WI PERE INTERVIEWED.

While Wi Pere was at Christchurch, on his way north to Gisborne, in returning from his trip to London, he was interviewed by a reporter, who obtained the following particulars : — On arrival in London Mr. Rees and Mr. Wi Pere were received by Sir Dillon Bell, the Agent-General, who gave them every assistance, and Mr. Rees had several public meetings in the St. James's Hall, one at Shoreditch, and one at the Alexandra Palace, all of which were very largely attended. There were preliminary - meetings at which Mr.'Reee and Mr. Wi Pere explained the plan of the colonisation. The last public meeting was held at the Westminster Hotel, and was presided over by the Marquis of Lome, and a committee was appointed on which Lord Aberdeen requested to be placed. Everything was going on splendidly until the anuouncement in the Times of the receipt of a cable from Sir H. Atkinson to the English Government in answer to a question which was asked if Messrs. Rees and Wi Pere had the authority of the New Zealand Government to their scheme. This telegram, which was in the negative, had the effect of putting a damper on the project for a time, when the committee decided to carry on the project on their own responsibility. This, Mr. Wi Pere says, they seem to be doing, as he noticed on arrival at Dunedin that the first ba'uch of settlers had sailed. Wi Pere says that he was very much astonished at Sir Harry's cable, as both he and Mr. Reee had thoroughly explained the whole project to the individual members of the Cabinet before leaving for England. The scheme was not for any private motive, ib was for the benefit of the colony. Mr. Rees at various times had been asked the question about the authority in London, and""Wi Pere says that he sought out Sir Dillon Bell, who said he gave the scheme his 'support as the Government representative, and it was not necessary to get the Ke'W Zealand Government's authority. Reporter : What brought you out before the -scheme was fairly afloat? ■iWiPere: The climate was so much a?ain&fc me, and I caught a cold, which, was affecting my system. There were dense fogs for about three months, and ..the sun was not seen for weeks. The midday in London was just like a New Zealand dawn. Reporter What did you think of the country Wi Pere : The country is very well., I was very much surprised to see so large a population, as also the great works that are carried on. What struck me was that such an intelligent race should exist under such a cloudy atmosphere and seem to thrive upon it. ' '■■' Reporter : Are you glad to get back ? • Wi Pere : Yes; there is no place like New Zealand that I have seen. . Reporter : Did you see any of Warbrick's team ? Wi Pere : I saw Warbrick. .He was still suffering from his leg. All the members of the team are in good health, and were very pleased with the kind reception they had received in different parts of the land. They are thoroughly enjoying themselves, and are very much admired by the English people. Warbrick says he will be in New Zealand again in April next. The tour has been a financial success.