VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR TO OTAKI.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 24, 1 December 1874, Page 298

VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR TO OTAKI.

(Communicated.) His Excellency Sir James Eergusson left Wellington on Monday, 2nd November, accompanied by the Hon. Dr. Pollen, on a visit to the Natives of the Ngatiraukawa, Ngatitoa, and Ngatiawa tribes living on the West Coast of this province, and also to see some of his Pakeha friends, and say good-bye to them before his departure for England. His Excellency was met on the beach near Otaki, by a large body of the Ngatiraukawa on horseback, and was by them escorted into the village, where he was received with cheers by the Natives assembled. In the evening the Governor entertained several Native chiefs at dinner at Prosser's Telegraph Hotel, where he put up, and next morning met the Natives at the house of Matene te Whiwhi. After the usual speeches of welcome and greeting, Henare te Herekau, of Manawatu, stood forward and read a farewell address to His Excellency, who replied as follows : My friends, the chiefs and people of the Ngatiraukawa, Ngatitoa, and Ngatiawa tribes, — I thank you for your hearty welcome at this which is our first meeting, although I am so soon to go

away. I have been Governor for a shorter time than my predecessors, but I have lived in New Zealand long enough to love it, and I shall be glad if I have opportunities of serving it and of representing it favourably to my friends. I shall tell them that I left the people of New Zealand, both whites and Maoris, living in friendship, and tribes that formerly were at war mingled together, having laid aside for ever the weapons of war. One of you has spoken of the crimes of old times, and of the blood which has been shed in it. and has called the land a bad one ; but I do not believe that the Almighty will punish the people for sins that were committed before the light of the G-ospel came ; and I know that when the good news of peace on earth and good will towards men came, the Maoris embraced it, and put away their ways of violence. I would rather spealc of the future than of the past. What troubles me most is, the diminution of the members of the Maori race. It is a pity that so fine a nation should fade away. There is no sufficient cause for it. Tour lives and property are as safe as ours: the sun shines on you and the rain falls for you as bountifully as ever. As the Europeans settle around you, you have more money and comforts, and no scarcity of food. I see strong men, and fine women, and healthy children. Why should they not grow up as well as ours? Is" it not that you are careless, and neglect what is good for them? I told some of your chiefs '"last night that I was afraid while we give ours milk and forbid them tobacco, you let yours use tobacco, but often do not give them enough milk; yet you have fine grass, and could every one of you keep cows or goats and feed the children well on milk. I beg of you to see that your children are well nourished: give them good milk morning and night, and try to prevent them from doing what is bad for them. Tou know what is good for yourselves and what is bad. Tou know that if vou abuse the good gifts of God, indulge in excesses and break His laws, you do not enjoy His blessings, and His good gifts are turned to your hurt. I visited your fine church this morning built bv yourselves. Do not neglect it—God's word is not for one generation, or for one time ; but always the same, for you as for your fathers. Take heed to that word, and avoid what it forbids. And value the schools. "We want your children to grow up as well instructed as our own, that they may take a useful part in life and know how to manage well their cwn affairs. One of you has said that though I am about to leave you another Governor will come. My successor is a man of high rank and great experience, who will, I am sure, like New Zealand, and desire to benefit its people. He will have around him, too, experienced Ministers, some of your own chiefs, who

sit in Parliament and in the Government, and my friend the Colonial Secretary, Dr. Pollen, who has known the country all his life. Especially he will have the great friend of the Maori people, Sir Donald McLean, to whom the Queen has just given a title of honor. So with good hopes for your future, I bid you farewell, trusting that good days are in store for you and your children, and desiring even after I have left you to be able to serve you.