Auckland.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XVII, Issue 1724, 8 February 1862, Page 6

Auckland.

CHRISTMAS AT WAIUKU

(From the hew Zealander, D.ecember 28.)

The observance of the hospitalities of the Christmas we are glad to see becoming by degrees an institution among ourNttive friends,' and with the good cheer will also come that: good feeling, that disposition to kindliness, and', to oblivion of wrongs, real or imaginary, which ought to mark, and does mark, the festive season amongst ourselves. At Pokeno, near Havelock on the Waikato, there was to have been,a large Christmas feast at.which it was expected i tnat 600 Natives would he present- and at which the Upper Waikato would be largely represented. Of the occurrence* at Pokeno, we have as yet received rrp intelligence; but of what transpired at the meeting of Ngatiteata at Waiuku, we.are able to place a sketch before our readers. . .- ■ lhe Christmas feast on this occasion was pro*, vided for the Natives by the libenlity of Mr. Constable, of Waiuku; the Governor, Sir George Grey, was present ; about one hundred and twenty Natives sat down to dinner. . The : air of the assembly was perfectly orderly, and the appearance of 'the Maori guests thorough!?respectable, the women ami children, in particular, being unusually neat and clean. When the serious business of. enjoying the creature comforts provided in such liberal pro- ■ fusion was ended, the people assembled in • public meeliivj in the open air and seated ou the grass. ’I hen the following address to the Governor was presented and read Waiuku, December 25, 1861 Father the Governor- Salutations' to yon.' Aou have arrived" in • Waiuku. *• You 1 have’ given heed to our word, and now we. will listen to your word. Whatever you wish done we will do; for ’ it is food that lias been given up to be eaten. Let rue consider th> matter.-’ u Although "scanty it is the scantiness of food ■ given byA/?4; there is abundance • behind. Although bad. rit is'bnd’ in-ihe b f reseheb of 1 Taiawa, ‘that is, those things which you have given ‘to ns, namely,Magistrates and Ruuaogas for Lhe employment of Nghtitcita. ■’ 1 1 ", . . . From your loving children, " ' {: ' ! A '" _ s ‘ j „ ’P AE Ngatiteata.Each Chii-.i present, in his turn, repen ed the words of the; Address,. inuorderahe more distinctly. to imaric ,bisicntire.•acquiescence in tho sentiment it -v/as «meuni. ip convey,’ 'After this coerndnyriiad concluded, the Gcj'vernor. metu the. Chiefs, oh the tribe tor.the put • pose . of .makingrwith thejn uthe;’final arrangeJP.?. nt< /ph«etJ.it;g..up, Ute-.new- for.in of. Cix.il JSo-,-Vernment in their Distiict. Al this meeting*