Farewell to Rotorua.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XXV, 22 June 1901, Page 6 (Supplement)

Farewell to Rotorua.

On the termination of the Maori display Their Royal Highnesses were escorted to the railway station by Captain Remene’s Mounted Native Corps from Wairarapa, and were received there with a Royal salute by the I-otorna Rifles, under Captain Barron. His Royal Highness afterwards inspected the company, accompaned by His Excellency the Governor and Major Morrow, and expressed himself much pleased with the” - soldier-like appearance. The following officers were subsequently presented to His Royal Highness by His Excellency the Governor, viz— Major Morrow. D.A.A.G., officer commanding the troops. Captain Davies, staff. Captain Barron, Rotorua Rifles’ Captain Lewis, Tauranga Mounted Rifles, Captain Reid, Whakatane Mounted Rifles, Captain Clay. Opotiki Mounted Rifles, Captain Cameron, Masterton Mounted Rifles, and Lieut. Jury, after which His Roval Highness addressed Major Morrow" as follows: “I am much pleased at the manner in which the military guard and escort duties have been carried out during my stay. Will you thank the officers and men for me.” His Royal Highness then shook hands with Major Morrow and wished him good-bye, Major Morrow replying as follows: “Permit me to thank your Royal Highness for your kind expression of opinion, and to assure your Royal Highness that we have esteemed it an honour and a privilege to have had the pleasure of waiting upon you.” The Royal train then left the station amidst much cheering, after which

the troops were marched into one of the main streets and formed in three sides of a square, when they were addressed by Major Morrow as follows: —“I have been directed by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York to express to yon the sense of his satisfaction upon the efficient way in which the guard and escort duties have been performed by yott during the stay of Their Royal Highnesses at Rotorua. Having been complimented in such terms by so very high an authority, there remains very little left for me to say. I cannot. however, omit the opportunity of telling you that I have been associated with troops of the line of the Imperial service both in times of peace and war, and I can say with confidence that I have never seen duties performed in a more cheerful and efficient manner. There has not been a single ease of misconduct, a circumstance which reflects credit upon yourselves individually, your officers, and the service to which you belong.” The officers were subsequently photographed in groups, mounted and dismounted, by an amateur of Captain Barron’s company. The Maoris are much pleased at the fact of the Duke and Duchess both wearing mats presented to them on Saturday. They consider this a high compliment to the native people. The total value of the greenstones, mats, etc., presented to the Royal couple on Saturday is estimated at quite a thousand pounds. Many of the greenaton* weapons and other gifts have been family heirloonas for many generations. The greenstone adze, or toki hohoupu, with carved handle, presented to the Duke by Major Pokiha, is an especially ancient relic. The beautiful shoulder cloaks of native manufacture included two white dogs’ hairs mots, one kiwi from the Hon. Mr. Carroll’s people East Cape and Gisborne. Another fine greenstone or mere named “Te Wehi o te Rangi,” was presented by the chief Waatu Wiremu Hipango.of Wanganui district, and the Duchess held it in her hand during the dances and performances. A very handsome greenstone patu, or club, was also presented by the Ngapuhi tribe. Bay of Islands. In addition to what has already been mentioned the Wanganui natives gave three valuable greenstone and whalebone patus, in addition to many very fine mantles of flax and feathers. Te Heuheu and his tribe, the Ngatituwharetoa, of Lake Taupo, did not make their presents to the Duke on Saturday. The reason is that Te Heuheu is holding back for something bigger i n the way of gifts to Royalty; He is having a very fine model of a native carved house made by three noted Maori earvers here, Anaha,Tene and Neke. The model will be a perfect replica of best decorated whares. It will- be sent on to England when finished as tha Ngatituwharetoas’ token of esteem and affection for the Royal visitors.