LORD RANFURLY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1685, 15 June 1904, Page 58

LORD RANFURLY.

FAREWELL FROM THE WAIRA-

RAPA MAORIS

GATHERING AT PAPAWAI.

His Excellency tlie Governor’s last Kood-ble to the Baori people was said on Thursday at Papawai, whither he journeyed at the invitation of the Wairarapa chiefs. There were about five liun- . dred European and native people present, and the farewell ceremony was short and marked only by the quiet and dignified regret of the Maoris. There was no dancing and no music—none of the: usual characteristics of a gathering .of the Maori people. Amongst thos<present were the Hons. James Carron and T. Y. Dhncan, Messrs A. W. Hogg and W. O. Buchanan, M.H.R.’s, and the Bishop of Wellington. On arrival at Grey town his Excellency was welcomed by the Mayor, Mr A Bicknell, and in reply, Lord Ranfurly said the sympathy given him during Ins stay in the colony had been of great service to him. Luring his term of office of seven years there had been greater events than there had been during, the term of office of any other Governor. Speaking of the future, he said parents had a duty before them in seeing that ; their .children wore properly educated in the nation’s history. He gave thanks for the reception given him. and said he would leave the colony with great regret. Surrounded with a guard of honour, formed of ’ tlio Wairarapa Mounted (native) Rifles, the Governor was then driven to the pa at Papaw ai. At the gates lie was ■met- by the chiefs, who sang a rhythmic welcome. Passing through a lane of the people he took his seat on the platform of tJv~ meetmg-house, and the speech-making commenced. •Chief after chief, old men, white-headed

and stooping under inany years, uncovered‘the thoughts in his mind in the picturesque Maori phrasing. First came Hone Manahera, one of the highest amongst them, and he presented the following address: — •

- ; Welcome to Papawai, O Governor, on this occasion of your third visit, though it is but to say farewell! Our hearts are sad at your early departure front the midst or vour Maori people, who have learned to love you, and would keep you on and on. Still, as the call has come,' we shall pray for your sate arrival at your far distant home across the great sea of Kiwa. Farewell, O Governor, farewell. 1 erhaps we may never be permitted to see you again, but we will treasure the remembrance of the years during which you have so faithfully administered the trust reposed m you as representative of her Most Gracious Majesty, the late Queen Victoria, and afterwards of her son and successor, King Edward v 11. The address went on to ask that expressions of love and loyalty should be conveyed to the Jioyal family, and to the Countess of Ranfurly, and concluded, “Again farewell, G Governor, farewell; though far-away you will never be forgotten by the Maori people. May God watch over and protect you always.” • . „ Then came another chief with a mere in one hand and a bell topper m the other. Very slowly he bade the guests welcome, and then broke into a long, drawling chant that was taken up around the circle. After him came another- who said, “Return, O Governor, to the Homeland, you who have trodden fill the pathways of the Maori, and may the Gods of the Wind and the Storm protect you on the passage back. Said another, “You were the last word given us by Queen Victoria, and anr other ended his speech pathetically with, “O Governor, the Maori people are gradually but surely dying out. Long life to you.” . His : Excellency, m reply, told the natives of the pleasure he felt' in being with' them. He joined with them in their regret at the death of their chiefs, Tam fib nn i Tomoaiia and others. Although these great men were gone, it behoved the survivors to find men who wese fitting and able to lead them to success. As the old passed away they must be replaced by the young, and he was sure there were many able men amongst them. “This,” said his Excellency, is the last Maori farewell I shall receive in the colony, and in the fitness of things, from a Maori point of view, it -was right that tho last good-bye should be said at Papawai.” Papawai was the head of the fish. He would leave New Zealand with deep regret and sorrow, but he would-treasure the many pleasant associations of his sojourn in the colony; “And now;” he continued, “I have a word of advice to give yoii. BeBtrbng in fostering the education of the young people—encourage them to seek Biid* : store up knowledge' that will be . of practical use and benefit;” The Maoris must/work together—they must .r attend to the laws of health, must uplift '. themselves in the domestic and social life, must encourage temperance and thrift. All these things could be done through the Maori Councils, and if they could show themselves capable in man-

agenffint, the Legislature would not deny Them further powers. In regard to laud,

they must make the most profitable use

of what .they had, for the land was the chief source of wealth. What they

could not cultivate and use themselves they must let others cultivate and use. The land must not be idle, nor be treated only as something to be sold for the present owners’ temporary ease and pleasure. -Their children and their children’s children depended od their wisdom regarding the land and their conduct generally. More than eighteen hundred years ago a great sage had said, “We all complain of the shortness of tiniOj, and yet we have more than we know what to do with; our lives are spent either in doing nothing at all or in doing nothing to the purpose, or in doing nothing we ought to do ; we are always complaining that our days are few, and acting as if there would be no end to them.” His Excellency urged the Maoris to make the most of time, and he gave them this advice because of the very deep interest he had for the race — an interest, he assured them, that IS,OOO miles of sea would not lessen. “ Farewell,” he said, “ in this last courtyard of the Maori, farewell.” The Governor, at the conclusion of liis speech, shook hands with tho chiefs and many others, both men and women, that crowded round him.

When the speeches were all over, luncheon was served on long tables in the great meeting-house. The Hon James Carroll presided, and beside the Governor, at the head of the table, sat the widows of the dead chief Tamahau, green willow in their hair and their dresses heavily clouded with black crepe. Short speeches of farewell were made by Messrs W. C. Buchanan and A. W. Hoggon behalf of the constituencies they represent in Parliament.

The Hon. James Carroll read, first in English and then in Maori, a telegram from the Right Hon. the Premier, as follows:—“Express, to those of both races my salutations and deep regret that lam unable to be present. lam with them in sympathy, especially with those of the native race, who are fittingly, and in accordance with their tradi-‘ tions, bidding farewell to the representative of our gracious Sovereign. It is well they should do so. for since their arrival in the colony Lord and Lady Ranfurly have ever taken deep interest in the Maoris, and have at all tiinos earnestly and strenuously endeavoured to promote their welfare and have well merited their lasting esteem and warm affections. Now that thee time of his Excellency’s departure has arrived, the native race must feel pleased, and his Excellency is no doubt much gratified, that during his term of office serious native troubles have been a thing of the past, and both races have been, and are, living peacefully and pulling together and conforming -to the laws.* Sorrow and affliction have during the past few months fallen heavily upon the East Coast tribes, and Tamahau and Ton - ana will be missed to-day, but their work and wise advice still remain. It will be a further sorrow to part with his Excellency, but though far off, he will still be tliMr friend and help them. My earnest entreaty is that they let his words of advice sink deep into their hearts and memories, never to be forgotten. It is for their good, and if followed the race will survive. , His advice, I feel sure, will be for tlie advantage of both races, our colony, and the Empire. Aroha! Aroha! Longlife and every blessing to all. —R. J. Seddon, Mongonui.” Very soon after the luncheon, his Excellency drove from the pa, out under the flag-pole that held up to the sunlight three flags.that the tribes know and understand—the Union Jack, Tamahau’s own flag (fringed with black in sigh of mourning, and the New Zealand ensign—and as he passed the gates the scattering good-byes left clear only the words “Farewell, O Governor.”