STRIKING FAREWELL CEREMONY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1679, 4 May 1904, Page 70

STRIKING FAREWELL CEREMONY

Mil, AND MBS G. P. DONNELLY. By the steamer Athenic, which left Wellington on Thursday afternoon, Mr and Mrs G. P. Donnelly, of Hawke’s Bay, were passengers for London. Their departure was made the occasion of an interesting leave-taking by Maoris and colonists which took place on the 23rd ult. at Tailor’s pa. Havelock, Hawke’s Bay. There were present a number of old personal friends of both, including Sir William Russell. M.H.R., Hon J. D. Ormond, M.L.C., Rev A. Williams (representing the Von. Archdeacon S. Williams), Messrs A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R., J. H. Williams, R. D.. D. McLean, A. McLean. T. W. Lewis and others. The Maoris were represented by Mrs Donnelly’s people at Waimarama and the most influential chiefs in different parts of the district. The Inland Patea natives arrived on the ground at about 12.30 p.m., and gave a weird chant of welcome, in which many references were made to the valour of the departed warriors of the “hupu” that was being visited. After refreshments Lad been dispensed, the company assembled in the ‘‘wuarepuni,” where addresses were delivered by three Maori ohiefs and others. Mold te Altahikoia said that the principal business of the afternoon was to wish the head of their people. Airini, anti her husband, a pleasant journey. It was particularly appropriate that they were going to distant lands, as the tradition of the race was that they also oame from the same place as those of the distant land which their friends were about to visit. Tlakitai, Mrs Donnelly’s uncle, visited Sydney in a very small vessel. The speaker then went on to ask Mrs Donnelly to make known to the King the wants of the Maoris. _ This would be the first occasion on which 1 Maori woman of such importance had gone to England, and he was certain that Mrs Donnelly would - receive a hearty welcome from the Prince and Princess of Wales and many English visitors whose stay in New Zealand had been made pleasurable by Mrs Donnelly Mr Donnelly, lie said, was going to visit the place of his birth* and lie would also visit the great children of the Queen who made the wise Treaty of Waitangi. Mrs Donnelly, in replying,' said, with regard to what Mold had advanced, asking her to approach the King on the benefits conferred by the Treaty of Waitangi, she was of opinion that the usual routine must be observed. Did she approach the King he would only refer the matter back to his representative and the Colonial Ministers. She objected to Maori representative/s in Parliament. They had received no benefits from Maori members and would prefer rather to see the Maoris placed oil the European electoral roll's. It was to men like Sir William Russell, the Hon. J. D. Ormond. Mr McLean and Mr Fraser that they looked foil* benefits, not to Maori, representatives. (Applause). Brief addresses of farewell and good wishes were delivered by. Sir William Russell. Rev Arthulr Williams, Messrs A. L. D. Fraser and R. D. D. McLean and the Hon. J. D. Ormond. The lastnamed gentleman, in the course of hils remarks, said that Mr Donnelly took a great interest in country occupations, and his visit would enable him to see what had been done in the way of perfecting stock and agricultural machinery. Mrs Donnelly was going to England with a few advantages nub possessed by many New Zealanders. She would be able to see every phase of life in that great country. Those who remembered the visit to New Zealand of the Duke and Duchess of York (now Prince and Princess of Wales) knew

that it was Mr and Mrs Donnellys per. feet arrangements for, their amusement at Rotorua that made their trip so enjoyable. The Duke and Duchess had then both expressed a wish that Mr and Mrs Donnell.v would visit them when they went to England, and no doubt they would receive attention from those whoso visit they had made so agreeable to New Zealand. He foresaw that Mns Donnelly would see English life under the greatest advantages. Mi* G. P. Donnelly, in a few wellchosen words, acknowledged the kind wishes expressed by Maori arid pakeha friends. Ho was pleased that in leaving on a visit to England he was able to leave the interests of the native race in such good! hands as those of Mr Ormond, Sir William Russell, Archdeacon Williams, and Mr Fraser. They also have the Premier and Government of New Zealand to look to. Mr Sodden was one of the ablest men of the century, and widely spoken of all over the world, and’ lie had the assistance cf Sir Joseph Ward and his other colleagues. He was quite sure that if the present Maori Councils were not a success Mr Sodden would see their constitution altered. He would be as ready to assist them as ho did the Empire in the South African war. Since he had been 111 power, New Zealand had prospered by leaps and bounds. Continu- ' ing, Mr Donnelly said he could not find words to express what his heart felt, but it would bo with them from the day 110 left till lie returned. He would ask them to take the advice of those ho would leave behind to- give them counsel, feeling sure that the old settlers of Hawke’s Bay had -a friendly feeling towards the natives', knowing well what assistance they had given in the pasb when the Europeans of Hawke’s Bay and the whole of the East Coast were threatened with extermination. After Mr Donnelly had again briefly spoken, the whole party was photographed in front- of the wharepuni.