VISIT OE THE GOVERNOR TO THE NORTH.

9

A.—No. 7.

towards Onoke a brilliant spectacle delighted the party on board. The front of Judge Maning's residence was illuminated in honour of the occasion with Chinese lamps. When the steamer cast anchor, a number of Native Chiefs came on board to welcome the Governor and Mr. McLean. The party spent Sunday at Judge Maning's residence. The greater part of the following day (Monday) was spent in cruising up and down the Hokianga River, for the purpose of taking on board the Native Chiefs who had arrived at different points to attend the meeting to be held at Onoke on the following day. The weather in the morning was dark and lowering, with a fresh stiff breeze blowing from the south-west; but it became more favourable as the day wore on. At 9 o'clock, Judge Maning, Mohi Tawhai, and a number of influential Chiefs of Ngapuhi and Rarawa came on board, amongst whom were Rangatira Moetara, Wiremu Tana, Wiremu Hopihana, Rawiri te Tahau, Tio, Marapo, Tio Pare, Tahana, Kowhi, Penetana Papahurihia (the famous tohunga or priest), Haurahi Kipu, Te Tai, &c, &c. Leaving Onoke we steamed down the river to the Hokianga Heads. We returned up the river, passing the township at Hurd's Point, and proceeded up the Narrows, and to Mr. J. Webster's timber station at Kohukohu. Here a thousand ships could ride safely at anchor. This is the oldest timber station in New Zealand. At one time the enterprising proprietor employed as many as 700 natives in squaring timber. That labour has now been, to a great extent, superseded by Europeans —principally Canadians. On the beach there were several thousand tons of kauri logs squared and ready for exportation. A large foreign export trade is carried on. His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Mr. McLean, Chief Justice Arney, and several other gentlemen landed at Mr. Webster's place, and were saluted by the firing of a gun of heavy calibre. After remaining on shore for a short time, they returned to the vessel, which steamed farther down the river, and anchored off Purakau, the Catholic mission station. His Excellency and several of the party went ashore to visit the Rev. Mr. Passinati, an Italian priest who has been located there for a number of years. On their return on board, the vessel steamed down the river, passing the new flax-mill of Messrs. Walker and Reid. We anchored off Onoke in the evening. Hokianga is one of the finest districts in New Zealand ; it was the first settled in this country. In the early days it was famed for the great export of flax, and subsequently it has been noted for the large export of timber. For many years the English Admiralty was supplied with spars from this district. Mr. Webster's kauri forest extends over several thousands of acres. A considerable population at one time inhabited the river, but they became scattered during Heke's war. There are now about 100 Europeans and about 2,000 Natives living in Hokianga and its tributaries. In the evening, his Excellency and party were invited to a most agreeable ball at the commodious residence of Judge Maning. At 10 o'clock next (Tuesday) morning the Native Chiefs, who remained on board during the night, went ashore to assemble the Natives and make their arrangements for the reception of His Excellency. They soon began to congregate, from different directions, at the place of meeting. At 11 o'clock, the Governor, Hon. Mr. McLean, and party landed, and were received by F. E. Maning, Esq., J. Webster, Esq., and a large number of Native Chiefs. The attendance of Natives was not so numerous as had been expected. There were upwards of 100 present. For several weeks they had been expecting the visit from the Governor, and were doubtful as to when His Excellency would visit Hokianga. Many of them are busy gum-digging, and as they are so much scattered it was not possible to communicate the Governor's arrival to them. They were well represented by their Chiefs, all the leading Chiefs in Hokianga being present. The meeting took place in the enclosed paddock adjoining Judge Maning's residence. The Natives disposed themselves in groups, and appeared to take a great interest in the proceedings. The names of the principal Chiefs present, and the tribes to which they belong, are : Rangatira Moetara, Ngati Korokoro ; Tahana Marupo ; Hauraki Kaipo, Te Hikutu ; Tio, Ngatikorokoro ; Wi Tana Papahia, Rarawa ; Papahurihia, Nga ti Hau ; Rawiri Te Talma, Ngatituapango; Kaperiera Te Anga, Ngatikuri and Te Aupouri; Tohewa; Wi i.opihana, Te Ngahengahe; Mohi Tawhai, Te Mahurehure; Hone Mohi Tawhai; Te Tai Papahia, Te Kaitutae ; Eemiia Papahia; Aporo Pangari; Tahaetini, Hikutu ; Wata; Tiopara, Ngatikorokoro ; Te Konuke Te Ihutai ; Tohu ; Mihaka Pehiriri, Te Uri Taniwha ; Ngakuku. The following gentlemen were also present at the meeting:—His Honor Chief Justice Arney ; F. E. Maning. Esq.; R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M. ; J. S. Reid, Esq.; S. Campbell, Esq. ; S. Yon Stunner, Esq., R.M.; John Webster, Esq. ; Captain Pitt, A.D.C.; Hon. Colonel Edgcumbe ;H. H. Maning, Esq. ; John Marriner, Esq. Mohi Tawhai said: Welcome, Governor ! Welcome, Mr. McLean ! Governor Fitzroy was the first Governor who visited us, and you are the sixth. Welcome to Hokianga; welcome to your children. Welcome, my friend the Governor, welcome. Through your goodness we live according to the law. Some time ago a battle was fought here (alluding to the engagement at Motukauri), and property was taken. I fought against the Maoris, and took your side. Some Europeans having been killed at Tauranga, the Ngapuhi took up your cause. Since the commencement the Ngapuhi have always been attached to the Europeans, and have shed their blood in their defence. My children have been killed in vindicating the cause of the Europeans. When Heke attacked the Europeans, Hokianga sprung up and took the part of the Pakehas. Therefore we welcome you. lam the brother of the Pakeha. I have attached myself to the Europeans since the very commencement, and I have continued to adhere to them. Quarrels and fighting have commenced in the South. Let them remain there. It is not necessary that I should talk to you of my sincerity and devotion to your cause. That arose out of my regard for the Europeans. Welcome to Hokianga. We mean to uphold the law as we have done in days past. Have no doubt of my sincerity. The other chiefs of Ngapuhi entertain the same sentiments of loyalty and affection towards you. We wish to abide by the law here. I want you to be a protector of the law at Hokianga. I wish the law to be maintained. I mean that soldiers should grow up here ; that you should appoint two or three hundred Ngapuhi, and that they should be allowed to go and preserve peace, and, wheu required, it would be time enough for them to be paid.