MAORIS IN LONDON (FROM THE NEW ZEALANDER.)

Otago Daily Times, Issue 545, 16 September 1863, Page 6

MAORIS IN LONDON (FROM THE NEW ZEALANDER.)

Our readers will remember the departure of the Ida Zeigler, from Auckland, with a party of natives, in February last. We readily give a place to the following communication relative to.their condition and prospects.

Extract of a letter from one of the party who originated the scheme of conveying the company of Maoris to England :—

London, 25th May, 18G3. Dear Sir, —Just one word to tell you of our safe arrival in London. Maoris all well, except Hntnu— she became derang?d a few days after we left Auckland. We have placed her in a respectable private asylum. Everything here favors our schetn". The Londoners .ire astonished at the Maoris. We hay them for a week or two in the Strangers' Home, where they get baths, medical attendance, and every comfort, and they have been vaccinated. I was presented to the Right Hon, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress to-day. The natives arc to have an isiterl.view with them at the Mansion House to-morrow. [The Lord Mayor will receive them in state, and with m flourish of trumpets. A lunch was provided by bis lordship for their refreshment. We are expecting an interview with the Duke of Newcastle and the Pricce and Princess of Wales shortly. I took the natives to St. Paul's Cathedra^ on Sunday morning. They were quite eonfoucded as it* magnificence. On our return a large concourse followed us. We attempted to get a peep at London Bridge, but the crowd gathered so quickly we ha1 1 to beat a hasty retreafoi It is a great treat to the. natives—somethiiig'they wM never forget—is this visit to London. Every one treats them with the greatest kindness and respect, and it is.my object to do them good-by showing them everything. I have obtained permission for them to visit almost every place of note in the metropolis, iiiiherto I have got on well with them, i though not without great difficulty and much generalship [Translation.]

England, 26th May, 1863. Friend,— Salutations to you in the love of God. ' Friend, I am quite well in health, and our chief, Mr Jenkins, is very good to us. I have not discovered the least thing auriss in. him. .His arrangements are very good, and he is very kind to me, and to my wife. ■ ; ' Friend, send a letter to my father at Wangarei. Friend, send afso my letters in the Wangarei mail, that they may reach my father. - We have been to the house of the great Governor of London (Lord Mayor). They, (they Europeans), -were greatly rejoiced, and we were rejoiced also. Friend, this is a word for you to say to my father. If he writes let his words be goodrs'o that the Palieha chiefs of this place may read them approvingly. - This is all I have to say. From your loving friend, ' : , Pakia HiaiNi Tipene, at London. [Translation.] ' England, May 26, 1862. Friend, Salutations. My love for you is very great. ■ v: Friend, our chief, Mr Jenkins, is very good to: us. There has been nothing amiss in his conduct towards me. He takes care of us; continually, as do also the great chiefs of this land. 'All is very pleasant. ■'* "■' ' Friends, salutations. Sufficient, from your lovin" friend, -.-■•'■ ° Paratene Te Mantt; ia London. . [Extract of Letter.] , . England, 26th May. 3863. * ■ * * .*..-■.-■* Friends,—The rejoicing of the chiefs of this land, on account of our arrival here, is very great, for we are the first great company of visitors from New Zealand who have been seen here. On this day we went to the great Governor's house (Lord Mayor) in Lnglandtotalk to him, and we have been to see iha Queen, and spoken our words to Her Majesty, aud sue spoke to us. We cannot tell, but the newspapers will tell you. ', •

...■■Friends, look: nowat what I said to the Queen:— " Put your seal upon us, and upon our relatives in New Zealand, for our ancestors were never anxious to declare war against any party, and this feeling is with us still.". . • -'■■'-■■> '-':-.-.