LORD GLASGOW'S VISIT TO THE URIWERAS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10616, 11 March 1896, Page 2

LORD GLASGOW'S VISIT TO THE URIWERAS.

(Ped. ITKiTf.D Press Association.)

Auckland, March 10.

His Excellency Lord Glasgow and patty, who returned here by the Chelmsford this afternoon, left Gilatea on Thursday for Te Whaiti, accompanied hy a number of Galatea Natives. They travelled over a splendid driving road, 20 miles in length, through magnificent forest scenery, reacning Ahikereru ut noon. They found the Whaiti Natives of Ngatiwhare and Tuhoe all assembled in their village under the famous Harema pa, whare Colonel Whitmoro inflicted such a severe defeat upon theso people in May 1869. His Excellency received a mbst hearty welcome, and witnessed a number of war dances performed io true Maori style. The usual speeches were made, containing special reference to tho arrangement entered into at Wellington last year regarding the Tuhoe boundary .quest ion. Several speakers then presented Lord Glasgow and the Hon. Mr Carroll with a number of rare war cubs and beautiful mat 3. After partaking of food, the party returned to Sergeant Lyons's o&mp, where the night was spent. Au early start was made on Friday morning along the Ruata-huua-Waikaremoana road up the Okahu gorge, which traverses some of the finest scenery in the North Island. Having reached the scene of the attack on Colonel Whitmore's column in 1869, his Excellency returned to Galatea and lunched at the Native school, which i 6 under Sir Wylie's charge ; tben taking to horseback for the first time, set off for Ruatoki, down the R*ngaitaiki Valley. On reashing Houbi settlement the school children assembled and sang some verses of an anthem in very creditable English. Lord Glasgow expressed the great pleasure it gave him to see so many cbildrsn (4-0). The party camped for the night at Waiohsu. Eirly on Saturday morning the Raungaehe range was crossed by t his new road into the Whakatane Valley. His Excellency was mnch struck with the extraordinary beauty of tho country landthe great skill displayed by the engineer' (Mr Sydney Crapp) in constructing such an excellent track through a broken and difficult country. Ruatoki settlement was reached at 1 o'clock. After a capital luuch provided by Mr Robertson, contractor for the new Native school," there, bis Esjelltnoy met the Uriwera tribe and received a most loyal welcome. Nothing could exceed the excellent sentiments uttered by the speakers, and touching references were mado to the great changes which had taken place since last year. Then these very people were in armed resistance to the law and many were incarcerated for obi.ruction, whereas now all was clear aud all differences settled. Rjads and other works wereasked for, and most complimentary allu .ions were made to Mr Carroll for tho active part l)e had taken in bringing about this extraordinary change. Lord Glasgow, in replying, strongly enjoined the Uriweras to use every effort to educate their children, and to welcome back teachers of religion, reminding them that a higher spiritual life was meso essential of all. He also made a suggestion that they might build in some suitable place a model of one of their old fighting pas, which wonld be an interesting memento of their past life. Several mats and flax garments were then presented by Kereru and other chiefs. The night was passed here. On Sunday morning tho party travelled down Whakatane Valley, through the splendid Opouriao estate, lately thrown open by the Government. Already new houses are being built. He lunched hy the way at Broderick's place. Sixty horsemen, beside buggies, accompanied the party, many of whom had come all the way from Rotorua and Galatea, and put up at a little comfortable hostelry. On Monday morning his Excellency met a large assemblage of the Ngatiawa and Ngatipukeko at Te Wbareotoroa, where very pleaniDg speeches were made, and a number of matters which appeared to give the natives some misapprehension were satisfactorily settled by Mr Carroll. His Excellency made a most pleasing reply. At 2 p.m. the party embarked for Tauranga on board the s.b. Chelmsford, en route for Auckland. His Excellency and the Hon. Mr Carroll and party proceeded to Whskataue pa, where they wore received by a splendid turnout. His Excellency was presented with an address from tho Native children, who also sang a song of welcome Hit Excellency and the Hon. Mr Carroll reached Tauranga on Monday evening at 9 o'clock. They were unofficially received hy his Worship tbe Mayor and quite a number of residents. His Excellency left in a few hours and arrived here as above stated. Lord Glasgow's visit will long ba held in remembrance for the effusive warmth with which the whole of the Natives welcomed him. and Mr Carroll, for the extraordinary expressions of loyalty and gratitude uttered by the Natives, and the inteuse satisfaction displayed over the proposed settlement of the Uriwera country. The Tuhoe endorsed tjie offer made by the loyal Arawa tribe to raiss a contingent, and placed their services at the Governor's command, should th»y ever be required.