Te Waka Maori. WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1874. PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS BY NGATIAWA TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 26, 29 December 1874, Page 321

Te Waka Maori. WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1874. PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS BY NGATIAWA TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

On Monday, 21st December, 1874, the Maori chiefs residing in the vicinity of Wellington, called upon His Excellency to present him with an address of Welcome, and to receive his reply thereto. We append a copy of the address presented by the Ngatiawa to the Governor, which was read by Mr. Young, interpreter, and a copy of the reply made to them. The chiefs expressed themselves very much pleased at the clearness of the Governor's words to them. This interview was only with those residing close to Wellington. His Excellency will take opportunities of visiting the various Native districts, where he will see the main tribes at their own places. Address from Ngatiawa. Wellington, 14th December, 1874. Fatiiee, the Goveenoe, —This is a welcome from us to you. We welcome your Excellency the Governor, who, we trust, will be a gracious parent to the two races who inhabit these islands—the Europeans and Maoris. On your arrival in this island you find us living in peace and quietness. Formerly the people inhabiting these islands were living in darkness and trouble; but now better and brighter things are appearing, and peace and quietness rest upon both people. We earnestly pray that your Excellency will foster and encourage such measures as will promote love towards these children of Her Majesty the Queen, in order that a feeling of security and peace may continue to grow and extend among them. Come in the name and love of our gracious Mother the Queen. Come to our land to be our parent and protector. —Ended, Wi Tako Ngatata, Ihaia Porutu, Manihera Matangi, Mohi Toheroa, Tipene Te Raro, Tamati Te Mataho, Ropata Hurumutu, Rapihana Te Otaota, Te Teira Te TJratakore, Henare Pumipi, Te Waka Horitipu, Te Retiu Tuware, And from all Ngatawa, of the district of Port Nicholson, and from Ngatitoa also. His Excellency replied as follows : My Feiends, —I thank you for your address, and for the expressions of affection and loyalty towards Her Majesty the Queen which it contains. I rejoice in the peace and friendly feeling which I find existing between the two races which now inhabit these islands, and I can assure you that no exertion shall be wanting on my part to foster and

maintain those relations. With a system of equal laws, equal justice, and equal consideration for the rights of all, I doubt not that those of the " Maori" race who still hold aloof will soon feel all the disadvantage of their isolation, and that they, like yourselves, will before long willingly embrace the Sovereignty of the Queen. The march of civilization is like the waters of a mighty river; its natural channel may be dammed up, and its current impeded for a time, but its waters will rise, and burst the dam, and carry destruction to all that oppose its angry flow; so with civilization, its progress may be impeded, but rest assured that its force is irresistible, and sooner or later it will swamp away all that may oppose its course. The peace and quietness which you assure me now exists, is, I trust, but a commencement of happy and prosperous times, when all parties being united under the rule of Her Majesty, the strife and discord of the past will be forgotten, and both races will unite in friendly competition in their endeavours to develop the resources, and promote the interests of these rich and fertile islands. I again thank you for your address, and can assure you, that I shall, at all times be anxious to promote your interests, and to protect the just and legal rights of all to the utmost of my power. Grovernment House, Wellington, 21st December, 1874.