LORD PLUNKET'S TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14018, 25 March 1909, Page 6

LORD PLUNKET'S TOUR.

VISIT, TO WAIOMATATINI. AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME. NEW MEETING-HOUSE OPENED. TBI TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL COBBBSPOHDKNT.] , Gisbokne, Wednesday. The glorious weather which prevailed yesterday morning broke up in the afternoon, and rain fell heavily all night. However, 1 there was welcome sunshine this morning, and Waiomatatini presented an animated scene. The Ngatiporou tribe upheld their reputation for loyalty, and had gone to great trouble with the arrangements. A collection was made early this morning on the ground, and £416 was obtained towards.the fund for the entertainment of the Governor. The magnificent carved meet-ing-house, Porouranga, on the top of which stands a wonderful lifelike carving of a Maori chief, with warlike expression on his features and in the act of throwing a spear, together with other historical carvings, attracted much attention from the viceregal party. Large tents had been erected to accommodate the multitude of Maoris who had assembled from all parts of the district, and tho numerous cooks appeared to be very busily engaged. ; At 11.15 a.m. His Excellency was seen to be approaching in a gig driven by the chairman of the County Council (Mr. K. S. Williams). • He was escorted by a large bodyguard of .Maoris,, and \; as the viceregal party entered the ground and His Excellency walked to the seat of honour, above which flew a large New Zealand ensign, cheers and hakas were given, and all joined in heartily singing the National Anthem. A large band of fierce-looking Ngatiporous, led by the Hon. A. T. Ngata, M.P., then broke into a haka and joyous chant of welcome, giving a grand display. The warriors were attired in beautiful mats, and their splendid physique was freely commented upon. ; The women then came forward; dressed in valuable mate of striking colours, and gave quaint dances. A band of Waiapu natives indulged in . a number of fine hakas, and in conclusion all the natives joined in a combined haka. The chief Hatara Matihi was 1 then presented to the Governor, and he read an address of welcome, which was translated into English by Dr. Wi Repa. His Excellency replied,' the Hon. A. T. Ngata translating the speech into Maori. " The address was as follows: — To His Excellency Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0., etc.,; Governor of New Zealand. ." Welcome, welcome, welcome. P Welcome to the land of the rising sun, to the shores of * the eastern sea, the Great Land of Kiwa. You who have come in; pease ,to ; see' us, we v welcome ; you as the representative of His Majesty the King, to whom ; be honour and long life, a life of exceeding great service to the Empire over which he reigns. :It is our pride to be His Majesty's loyal subjects. To her late Majesty Queen Victoria we vowed allegiance; and deemed it the greatest honour to serve her" in peace ; and war. ; To His Majesty, her successor, we renew that oath, ; seeking in peaceful pursuits to fulfil worthily, the duties of citizenship. j We acknowledge with gratitude the honour Your Ex- \ cellency confers accepting our invitation, recognising the difficulties and inconveniences that must attend a visit to these outlying parts -".• of .■'=■.■ the ;. Dominion. v; ' Your; Excellency's ; predecessor, the Earl of Ranfurly, visited? Te Araroa 10 years ago. - Your.-Excellency is the first Governor to visit this part of the district between Gisborne and the East Cape. We trust that ,we may again 'similarly be honoured by a representative of the Sovereign. With our European friends we join I in ■ extending :to '; you a -fitting welcome as * the chief jof the Executive Council of the ' Dominion. i : The two races have ; lived to- ; gether in perfect amity and mutual - un- \ deistanding, working \ towards a common j end—the ; progress of the ! district and the i health and J prosperity of the people. To i this end we, for our part, have striven to, , ? emulate the excellent example -of the : European settlers in our midst, to , benefit.; f by the blessings ; of; education, to convert the fern and virgin forest into j profitable pasture,' to improve the health and' sanitation of our; villages, and the housing of I our people; and generally to substitute for the ancient standards of r living those of, a well-ordered s modern community. i We trust that Your Excellency may eni joy your brief stay among us, and that ; your life may be long spared to serve the ) Empire 'in New Zealand ; and elsewhere. God Save the King.—From the chief and representatives of ; the Ngatiporou tribe, ; of the East Coast." ,;; *• The Governor's reply, was as follows :— "Chiefs and representatives of the Maori I people of this place : Your poetic welcome ; ; gives : me ) much pleasure, • and I "receive with satisfaction your hearty assurances of the same loyalty to ; Xing Edward the Peacemaker which you showed to Her t late Majesty, « Queen Victoria the Good. It ■ is a ; great ; satisfaction to me to come :among my Maori friends, "and -1 am glad the great sea of Kiwe has been smooth enough to allow me to land and see some- > thing of a part of this Dominion which I I understand : J. no 'r f ;i representative -of the Grown has been able to visit before. Glad Lain of your welcome, glad of your expressions of loyalty, but gladdest of all am 1> to hear, in your own address, that the Maori and the pakeha are on such good ;'. terms ; here, j and that you are iso energetically copying the example of your fwhite J fellow ;; subjects in devoting yourselves to increasing your education, and to working hard at farming and ' pastoral pursuits, for by steady industry and wider education you are not only helping > your- ■ selves., but are setting ■an example to ; all the Maori people, and ensuring : the continued existence of your ancient race in the land of their forefathers. Congratulations." J.:Telegrams were ; read from the Prime Minister ; (Sir'' J. Ward) and the Native Minister . (tha Hon. J. Carroll) regretting their inability to h?. present. A tour of inspection was then made, 1 including a climb to the top of Topotu Hill to view the ; monument «to the late i Major Ropata. ■:'"; Major Ropata's sword and re l ics had previously been inspected by the party. A splendid panoramic view of the Waiapu Valley was. obtained. "■ ;; , ; ; An adjournment was then made, at the i invitation of Hr. Henare Mahuipa, to the latter's . residence,': where luncheon was partaken of. Later on the Maori carved house was opened, and the party left Waiomatatini at four o'clock for Port Awanui. : ' On the way they inspected the school, and subsequently embarked on the Tutanekai for Te Kohu. ' \ .