THE GOVERNOR'S TRIP TO THE NORTH.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 12, 16 June 1874, Page 148

THE GOVERNOR'S TRIP TO THE NORTH.

We make the following extracts from the account of the Governor's late visit to the North by the correspondent of the Southern Cross writing to that paper from Herd's Point on the 25th of May last, and republished in the New Zealand Times of the Bth of June instant:— { About a fortnight ago a messenger came here from the Bay of Islands to tell us that his Excellency would be down among us about the 18th or 19th of this month. On Tuesday, the 19th, several of the inhabitants went to meet the arriving Quests at Taheke, about fifteen miles above Herd's^Point. The Resident Magistrate, Mr. Yon Stunner; Mr. John Webster ; Mr. William Rouse, Wesleyan Missionary in this district: and the head of the Ngapuhi tribe, Mohi Tawhai, as well as the Rarawa chief, Wi Tana Papahia, were there, together with about 500 Maoris, and the children of the Native school at Waima were there, and sang in English " God Save the Queen," to the great surprise and pleasure of the visitors. The number of the latter was very considerable. The Governor was followed by his aid-de-camp, by Mr. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner, Mr. John Williams, M.H.R., the Hon. Wiremu Katene, the Hon. Captain Egerton, Captain Simpson, and several officers of H.M.S. 4 Blanche.' A luncheon was provided afc Taheke, after partaking of which the company went down in boats to Herd's Point, where they arrived at about sunset. His Excellency gave a dinner at Hokianga Hotel for his followers, and the next morning the party made a visit to Mr. John Webster, at Kohukohu, where about 300 Natives were to meet them. After their return a meeting was held outside the hotel. A great number of Maori chiefs addressed the Governor, their speeches being interpreted by Mr. Kemp. The Governor then thanked them heartily for the kind reception that they had given him. He was very glad to see present their highly-respected chief, Mohi Tawhai, and so many of the Natives and followers of Tamati Waka, and he reminded them strongly that both these chiefs always saw in the British law the protection of their rights and interests. This, he hoped, would always remain so ; aud he impressed on their minds the necessity of obeying the law in

great matters as well as in small, and not go to Court only about petty cases of stealing, and reserve to themselves the settlement of cases of murder and bloodshed. With regard to their wants of many kinds, he gave them to understand that it lay chiefly with themselves to obtain them ; and told them that they must not expect the Government to do everything for them. After the speeches were over, loud cheers were given to the Governor, and several of the chiefs were introduced to him. • A. handsome present of tobacco was then given to the Maoris. Later in the evening the party left again in boats for Taheke, whence they started at daylight on Thursday morning to the Bay of Islands." Maitgoitot. The Mangonui correspondent of the same journal writes under date May 26:—" Mangonui has "had an exciting week. Settlers from the country and a large body o± Natives have been anxiously waiting in daily expectation of the arrival of His Excellency Sir James Fergusson. On Friday H.M.S. Blanche, Captain Simpson, H.N., steamed into the harbour; on the following day, about noon, the Governor arrived in his yacht. He landed at the new wharf. An address was read and replied to; then the usual mode of reception of Maoris took place. A procession was which walked through the village to the Settlers' Hotel, on the large sp,ace in front of which (His Excellency and suite sitting on the verandah) the Maoris delivered their speeches, which were ably interpreted by Mr. Commissioner Kemp, of Auckland. Their purport was to the effect that they had always been loyal, even at the time of Hone Heki's war in their vicinity. They were grateful for the expenditure of Grovernment money in forming roads, and for schools for the education of their children. They were most anxious that the resources of the district, which was considered to abound in minerals, should be developed by the Government. His Excellency replied that the wants of the district should be laid before the Colonial Government. He thanked the Natives for their loyalty, and hoped he should pay repeated visits to the district. Afterwards there was a reception." "Whangaroa. The Whangaroa correspondent, writing on the 28th, states:—" Shortly after noon of the 24th instant, the yacht Blanche, escorted by her iron namesake, made her appearance and anchored in our waters. As no intimation had been received of His Excellency's intended visit, it seemed at first as if the vessels had merely run in for temporary refuge from the foul weather which had been brewing all the morning, and which culminated in a severe thunderstorm at night. Next morning His Excellency came on shore, and was met by those of the European inhabitants who have their residence in the harbour, and several of the Natives from the Kaeo and Pupuke, to whom intimation of the Governor's arrival had been sent the previous day. Several of the Ngapuhi chiefs addressed the Governor, expressing their loyalty and determination to live in peace. Taniora, of Ngatiporou, said he considered his brother amenable to the law, and he would give him up when other tribes gave up the murderers they were keeping. His Excellency gave a very short address, in which he said he was glad to perceive the cordiality and good feeling between the white man and the Native, and he trusted

that those feelings would be strengthened by his next visit. He hoped that Taniora would see the necessity of acting in accordance with the dictates of the law, however painful it might be to his feelings having to deliver so near a relation up to justice. His Excellency was loudly cheered at the conclusion of the address, and left almost immediately, amidst renewed cheers from the spectators who lined the wharf."

SIR JAMES FERGTTSSOISr ON EDUCATION. At the Auckland G-rammar School on Ist June, his Excellency the G-overnor, Sir James Fergusson, presented the prizes to the successful competitors among the 130 scholars attending the institution. Hist Excellency, before distributing the prizes addressed those assembled, and afterwards the scholars. The following are extracts from his interesting speech as reported in the Auckland papers : Higheb Education. I am most glad to attend so as to testify the value I set upon such institutions as these. I believe there is nothing more important to this great and growing Colony than that institutions for the higher education of our youth should be fostered and encouraged. We must look forward to the great future which is before New Zealand, and endeavour that the young men of the higher and middle classes shall be well fitted to take that position which awaits them; and not only so, but that all, to whatever class they belong, who have energy and the anxiety to rise, shall have the opportunity afforded them by the State. lam glad to know that this institution was early founded by the wisdom of the Government, that it has been sufficiently provided with the means of carrying out its objects, and that it has met, on the whole, with a fair amount of encouragement. lam gratified that the school is now steadily progressing, not only in numbers, but also in efficiency. It has my very best wishes for its success, and in attending here to-day, I am only endeavouring, in the humble way in which it is in my power, to aid its prosperity and testify my sense of its value. Allow me to point out that the duty of supporting such an institution as this rests upon more than one section. The Grovernment have tulfiilled their part, but it devolves upon the public, by their support and encouragment, to show that they rightly estimate the value of the institution. It belongs to the parents to show they value the education provided for their children, and it belongs to the members of the institution to show that they appreciate the privileges extended to them. Education - of Natives. I shall not detain you with more than a few words, but the importance which is attached to the visit of the G-overnor induces me to think I ought not to pass such a remark without saying some words which appear to me not only applicable but my duty to utter. First, with regard to the objects of the institution. I notice by its fundamental provisions that it is intended to be available not only to us Europeans, but

to the Natives of the country. Now when I ask how far it has fulfilled the latter portion of its performances, I venture to think it has fallen short of that which its original promoters had hoped from it. "We see, unfortunately, the Natives to a great extent indulging in bad habits ; and how, I ask, can we hope that it can be otherwise if their natural leaders are not fitted to encourage and restrain them from injurious practices? What could we hope of our own youth of the better classes were they allowed to grow up in the village schools without restraint or discipline, or without being fitted in any respect to occupy the position of eminence and responsibility to which they are expected to aspire ? And can we look for better things—can we expect so much—of the children of those who are themselves uneducated, and who in many cases have yielded to the temptations that are calculated to prove fatal to their race ? I think this is a matter which ought to come seriously home even at this day to the Government and people of this Colony. AVe ought to look diligently for means by which the sons of Maori chiefs might be brought up to set an example to their people, and to take part not only in their management, but in the General Government, and service of the country. They ought to have the best education that the country can afford. But to turn even the best born Maori boys loose in a school like this would be injurious both to themselves and to the school itself. It seems to me that there ought to be, especially here in Auckland, a boarding-house in which the sons of chiefs could be managed in the manner best suited to their condition, their previous education, and their characters, in order that they might attend, under proper tutorship, this higher class of school, and so> be gradually brought up to do better than their fathers have done before them, to set an example to their people, and to lead them to higher and better things. Unless something of this sort is done systematically, we will not be fulfilling our duty to the Native race. Justice, kindness, and generosity have not been absent in our treatment of the Maoris,' but to a great extent svstern has been wanting. * O Adyice to Youth. But while I say these things to our older friends, the public, I would address a few words to those I see before me—the present pupils of this institution. I would ask them to remember that the period of life through which they are now passing is that which is to fit them for their future career; that if their education is to be thorough it has many sides to it, and that the degree in which they take advantage of it will be, to a great extent, the test of their future success and excellence in life. For in proportion as you now embrace the opportunities extended to you, or neglect them, you may depend upon it to a great extent will be your comparative success, or failure, in after life. The character of a young man is not made in a day; it grows up like a tree —by slow degrees—and unless the roots are spread deeply, and unless the outward influences are steadily exercised, he will not attain that degree of perfection for which he was designed. Therefore X say to you, with all the earnestness in my power, take advantage of the opportunities now before you; don't despise them however small they may seem to you ; but remember

that you are laying the foundation of the future, and that all your life long you will look back with satisfaction or regret to the degree in which you did take advantage of them. And let excellence be your object. Be not content with simply escaping censure or taking a tolerable place. Let each one feel that he has abilities of his own which can be turned to the bfcst account, and let his one aim and object be to make the best of them. And if you fail in any contest, whatever it is, let not failure discourage you; because the mere effort to attain success is in itself beneficial, and in failure you see the deficiencies which were yours and those which you have to guard against for the future. I would ask you to remember that you have two separate classes of duties—to yourselves and to others. Every one of you owes a high duty to himself, and, as 1 have said, the regret which will attend him 5> if he neglects his opportunities, will be as long as his life lasts. But you have duties to others not less than to yourselves. You have duties to your parents, who, in many cases, have made great sacrifices for vour interests ; you have duties to your masters, whose credit is, to a great extent, involved in the use which you make of their teaching; you hdve duties to your school, that it lose not credit by the faults of individuals; you have duties to your companions, that no evil example of yours may do them injury. I would ask you to remember that earnestness is everything, and to carry it into your sports as well as into your school duties, and that the best boys are not only those who are most steady in school, but that they are often distinguished by being first in the field. The example or Bishop Pattesoit. I would put before you one well-known hero, whose name will be honored as long as New Zealand —I would almost say as long as England—lasts: one who was a hero, a Christian hero, and a hero as great as any one who has received the thanks of his Sovereign and of Parliament—the late Bishop Patteson. (Cheers.) I would ask you to think what Bishop Patteson's life was. At school he was the first in games; he was second at Eton; at Oxford he was the most popular under-graduate, as in afterlife he gained the affection of all by whom he was surrounded. He was not a mere book-worm who had not a bright side to his life, but was most earnest in his pursuit of duty, most conscientious in its discharge. But how was it he was so successful ? In the' first place, his abilities, and as he told us himself, were not of a first-rate order. It was because he was dilligent in the acquisition o£ scholarship, in the

first place which enabled him in after-life to master so many languages most difficult to Europeans, one by one, with a facility which he could not have attained had he not been most attentive to his early cultivation. He succeeded because he always set the right thing before him. As his biographer said, his face was always set in the right way. "Whatever was his duty, he did it heartily; and whatever was wrong, that he knew to be wrong, he turned away from. I will read you an extract from his life that will show you what his character was. JEx uno disce omnes. " There was 110 Puritanism in him; he was up to any fun, sang his song at a cricket and football dinner as joyfully as the youngest of the party; but if mirth sank into coarseness or ribaldry, that instant Patteson's conduct was fearless and uncompromising. A custom had arisen among some of the boys of singing offensive songs on these occasions, and he, who as second of the eleven, stood in the position of one of the entertainers, gave notice beforehand that he was not going to tolerate anything of the sort. One of the boys, however, began to sing something objectionable, Patteson called out, "If that does not stop, I shall leave the room," and as no notice was taken, he actually went away with a few other brave lads. He afterwards found that as he said, fellows who could not understand such feelings, " thought him affected," and he felt himself obliged to send word to the captain, that unless an apology were given, he should leave the eleven—no small sacrifice, considering what cricket was to him; but the gentlemanlike and proper feeling of the better style of boys prevailed, and the eleven knew their interests too well to part with him, so the apology was made, and he retained his position." What I wish to point out to you is, that Bishop Patteson's success was not the result of impulse although in after life he yielded to the call to sacrifice himself in the highest service. Second, as I have said, to no hero, Bishop Patteson's service was in that of the King of Kings. But he did not rise to such a height by one flight. It was because as a schoolboy he was earnest, as a son he was dutiful, as a clergyman he was eminent in all that was good, as a missionary he was painstaking and hardworking, until at last he became a sainted hero and a martyr. And although it is not given to all to rise as high as he rose, yet you have examples even here in New Zealand of heroes. Look at the late Bishop of New Zealand, who is as highly honored now as any man in England. Look at many who are following in his footsteps and obeying his precepts, although perhaps in a different walk of life to that which you will travel; yet you have all open before you a career which may be calculated to make you happy in this world, and leave a happy remembrance of you when you arc gone.