KING TAWHTAO IN LONDON.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5373, 24 July 1884, Page 2

KING TAWHTAO IN LONDON.

(HOME NKWS.) Among the persons on board the Orient Company's Royal Mail steamship Sorata, which arrived at Plymouth on May the 31st from Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, were Tawhiao, King of the Maoris, Topia Turoa, a Jalthi Wanganui chief, who subscribed £1000 towards tho expenses of the visit to England, Wiremu Patara to Tuhi, son of the chief Maisha, who acts as secretary to His Majesty, has had considerable experience in public matters among the Maori, and was editor of the Hokoi, a paper started to advocate the Kings cause, Hori Ropia, a chief hailing from Poranghan in the Wellington district, and Major Te Wheoro, whose name is said to be almost a household word in New Zealand, and who has for some time past had the honor of a seat in the New Zealand House of Representatives. Mr George Skidmore, who accompanies the party as interpreter, is a, half-caste, a native of the Bay Islands, and speaks both English and Maori fluently. The Sorata was timed to arrive early in the day, but she was uot sighted off the Stone until four o'clock in the afternoon, and nearly one buor and a half had elapsed before the Great Western Railway Company's powerful steam tender Sir Walter Raleigh, Captain Buckingham, came alongside. Here Mr Jones the examining officer of Customs, elicited from the surgeon on bo*rd the fact that there had been two deaths on board, one a poor fellow who died shortly after leaving Australia of consumption, and the other a woman, who it is said died from typhus j both were buried

* Mr* Jones having been assured that there were no cases of sickness on board, the vessel was granted pratique. The ,, R °y a i party were found sitting on the deck at the stern of the vessel, but immediately those on board the Sir Walter Raleigh came on board the Sor^ta the King disappeared into the regions below. The Times correspondent was taken below and introduced by a friendly passenger to the King, who was lying down on the couch in his cabin. He rose and received him in a most courteous manner, shaking bands with him very heartily. The King, like his f.-nr colleagues and compatriots, was dre>sed in a tweed suit, with a mackintosh of blue texture. The party tam-lled very quietly, and but for their colour would be quite incognito. King Tawhiao has been faithfully described as the most uncommunicative of men. He left New Zealand ma state of suspense as to what he means to do in England, and atter vainly endeavonng to worm the secret out of "him the Times correspondent hazarded a £?uess that he intended to seek the confirmation of his title as Km* of New Zealand. But this was mere conjecture, and the momentous problem stall remains unsolved. The King, who, it is said, is over sixty years of age, has a pleasant and agreeable manner. He laughs and talks with his chiefs freely. When he saw the press representative with paper and pencil in his hand, he motioned to be shown the writing on the paper. This was shown to him, but this was not what he wanted. An English passenger who was standing by explained that he wanted to place his autograph on the paper. a*-d when the paper and pencil were given Tawhiao seemed pleased. After grinning in a moot charming manner, the King subscribed his name in a piece of paper and then handed it to the presa representative. At the request of the Kiug, his secretary, Tuhi, also wrote his name on the paper, and the other members of the party followed. The King's writing is very inferior, the best writers being Major Te Wheoro and the secretary. Tawhiao apparently understood the meaning of a remark which was passed, to the effect that Tuhi could write better than His Majesty, for he seemed somewhat displeased afterwards, and frowned darkly and grunted his kingly displeasure. However, he quickly recovered, and on being spoken to became most affable. Tawhaio, who han inveterate smoker of cigarettes, took up a packet which was lying on the recess in the cabin and handed it to the press representative, who inquired if it was meant for him to keep. The King nodded his head and pointed to his coat pocket. When the press representative took the cigarettes and put them in his pocket, the King seemed pleased. He then took up a stray cigarette and lit it ; Tuhi followed suit, and, at the request of His Majesty, the reporter smoked a cigarette which the King lit. Shortly after the press representative took leave of the King, who lifted his hat most courteously and shook hands. . . The Ma^ ri party are very diverse in thenappearance, although they are all so well able to maintain the same impenetrable reserve. Te Wheoro, who has been in the House of Representatives for several years, has the best physique of all. He is a powerful broad-shouldered man, wearing moustache and goatee, and is the most silent of this remarkable taciturn band ; like dead men, he will tell no tales as to the mysterious object of the mission. Topai Turoa, a chief of high rank, is the oldest and moat infirm member of the embassy. He is afflicted with rheumatic gout, leans heavily on a stick, and moves about with some difficulty. He has full grey whiskers and moustache, and is shaved on the chin. Ho is of short' stature, and in younger days must have possessed great strength. All the members of the embassy wear the blue ribbon, and plenty of it ; for the society to which they owe this allegiBnce, manifestly proud of their converts, have in their especial honor given them a decoration nearly as gorgeous as the Order of Bath. The little bit of blue ribbon modestly peeping from the buttonhole of the European convert to temperance is represented on the breast of King Tawhiao and his friends by a broad, long band of silk suspended to a silver clasp about the size of the buckle on a Highlander's kilt. The chiefs appear to think highly of these imposing badges, and as an advertisement for the Blue Ribbon Army during the world-wide travels of the dusky mo laroh and his companions, their importance is of the highest tactical kind. At least it would be if the splendid distinction might not be mistaken for a war medal or some other token of a country's grateful pride. Mr Skidmore informed the press representative that the " Royal " party had a very good passage, and enjoyed good health. The King and Topia. Turoa had suffered from what the interpreter described as "sore feet," in consequence of wearing boots. Turoa has, however, suffered severlyfrom rheumatic gout, and the King from what some believe to be rheumatism. Tawhiao and his chiefs behaved themselves exceedingly well the whole passage. They have stuck to Blue Ribbon principles, although it is believed the badge of blue of which they are very proud had a great deal to do with it. The King like the rest of his followers smoke cigarettes by the dozen. They like to sit on deck by themselves, and they were always the first to see land. The passengers described the Maori King and his suite as a "jolly lot of fellows." They have contributed largely to the amusement of the passengers the whole of the voyage by singing, dancing, and indulging in eccentric freaks. Mr Skidmore said the Maori King was like the other members of the party — "a chief." He had no more power than Tuhi or the other chiefs, nor could he order them to do anythlug. Asked as to the object of the visit, Mr Skidmore said, " Oh, you wilY see it all in the papers by-and-bye." He subsequently said that the party had come to see about what he called their grievances. They intended to wait on Lord Derby with regard to what they allege to be the confiscation of their land by the colonists.

During the voyage fine weather was experienced until after Adelafde was pa3sed, and then the Sorata encountered very heavy weather. Tawhiao and his suite proceeded in the Sorato for London. Dr Skidmore says if there is no one there to receive them they will take lodgings for themselves. Tawhiao's visit to England is prompted by the same feeling which caused Cetewayo to visit this country. The King of the Maori was so impressed with the reception accorded to Cetewayo in England by the Queen and English people that he determined to start on a similar mission to England, and invited the co-operation of his friendly chiefs for that purpose. King Tawhiao is under the impression that he will have an interview with the Queen, who will at once restore him to his old position of King. It is understood that the object of the visit is in connection with the settlement of the land question of the King

country, of which Tawhiao i 3 the nominal head. The right of Great Britian to New Zealand was recoepiised at the peace in !814, but no constitutional authority was placed over it until 1833. In 1840 Captain Hobson, the first governor, landed, and the treaty of Waitangi was signed, by which the chiefs conceded a large amount of land. All went on well till March, 1860, when there was an insurrection of the natives (Maori) under a chief named William King (Wirrimu Kingi) arising out of disputes respecting the sale of land. A war broke out.-ang the natives, after sustaining several defeats, surrendered. Another broke out in J864. and after a lot of land had been confiscated William Thompson, an eminent chief, surrendered on behalf of the Maori King. It is presumably about this land that the King has visited England. On June 3 Tawhiao, the Maori King, and the chiefs who accooipany him on his present visit to England, made their first appearance in the streets of London, and were the objects of a very considerable amount of interest the curiosity of spectators being especially aroused by the tattooed countenance of the King, and the enormous earrings, which are the chief ornament on his person. The party took a general survey of the City, His Majesty showing himself much impressed with the magnitude of the buildings, the great masses of people hurrying to and fro, and the numbers of vehicles continually passing. Tawhiao evinced deep interest in the goods displayed in' many of the shop windows in Ch,eapside, and in the course of his perambulations made several purchases. I Tawhiao and his companions had a private I interview with Mr Chessoa, secretary of the Aborigines' Society, at which they intimated their wish to place the business of their business of their mission in the society's hands. Mr Chesson has promised to communiate with the Lord Mayor, Sir Joseph Pease, M.P., Sir Fowell Buxton, Mr Dillwyn, and otbers, with a view to obtaining an interview with Lord Derby prior to any outdoor demor<stra.tion.

The hiteht par in the Home News, dated June*6th, says that Tawbiao and suite were visiting various points of interest in London. They have taken up their residence in Montague Plnce, Hussell Square, close by the British Museum. Demetre House is owned by Mrs Saintsbury, a la^y whose name is well known in New Zealand, and whd has /urriisherl a suite of rooms and fitted up the garden with tents for the accommodation of the party. The Home News says that according to arrangements then made Tawhiao was to remain in England for two months, but the visit might be prolonged — so mote it be.