THE DUKE'S ADDRESS TO THE NATIVES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9172, 14 June 1901, Page 3

THE DUKE'S ADDRESS TO THE NATIVES.

"To the chief and tribes of the Isles of Aotearoa and Waiponamu. — The warm words of welcome which you have spoken to the Princess and myself have gladdened our hearts. "From the far ends of the earth, over the wide seas, we have been sent by the great King, my father, to hear and behold in their own beautiful land his children, the Maoris. "The great Queen whom your fathers knew and loved, and for ■ whom you mourn with us, with all nations and races under the mana and majesty of Empire, had before she passed to rest desired us to visit her people across the seas, to tell of her gratitude for the aid of their brave young men in the cruel war into which she wno ever loved and worked for peace had been driven. "Proud and glad was the great Queen also thatihe sons of her Maori children, eager with love and loyalty, longed to stand side by side with their brethren In the field of battl*. "The King, my father, though his cupwas full of sorrow, and the parting with us his children but added to its bitterness, could not endure that her wish should pass unfulfilled, and I come in his name and on bis behalf to declare to you the deep thankfulness of his heart for your noble and tender words in which you spoke your love and reverence for her memory. The words of the Maoris are true words, the words of the generous and chivalrous people who are ready to make good with the hands the promise of the lips. "To receive your pledges of loyalty, and to learn from me that you have re- ! uewed your, oath of allegiance and confirmed the act of your fathers who gave all to Queen Victoria and her successors, will give joy to my father's heart, and will '•'. -fill him with strength and courage for the great work that lies before him. "The heart of the King is warm to his people in New Zealand. He rejoices to see -them dwell together in peace and friendship, and prays that they may continue to be united and so strengthen each other in the work of peace, and that they also may strive for the common good and in aiding him to keep on, and may the peoples under his sway be united. "If our visit helps to that end we shall be glad to count as naught the sacrifices we have made in order to see vour chiefs and you face to face in your beautiful country. Of. our brief visit to New Zealand we shall carry with us lasting memories of the loyalty and love and generous kindness of the Maori people. "May peaoe, prosperity, and every blessing abide with you and yours for ever." Mr Carroll officiated as interpreter, and.- gave a very free interpretation of the Duke's remarks, which remarked frequent chorases of "hear, hear," "kapai," and 'Very good" from the Maoris. The reply made, the -Maoris could restrain their feelings longer, and again broke into a haka and song, "Kai mate, kai mate, kai mate," more spirited than before, the Native Minister and the Native gentlemen around him leading the refrain. A Native band struck up "God. Save the King," and after bowing to the assemblage, the Royal visitors repaired to their apartments.