Page:Overland Journey of the Governor of New Zealand.djvu/36

Rh at 2 p.m., landed the Governor and his native guides at 4.30 p.m. at Katikati, where they passed the night in a small house belonging to Mr. Faulkner.

On the following morning, the 19th, the party started on horseback amid a deluge of rain, which lasted the whole day. This was the first bad weather which the Governor had met with throughout the whole journey from Napier. The streams and rivers to be forded were very much swollen, and the path through the forest, in the latter part of the ride of 28 miles, was positively dangerous. However, the Governor reached Ohinemuri safely before dark, and on the next morning, the 20th, was received by Mr. McLean on board the "Luna," which had come round Cape Colville and up the river Thames. A large meeting of natives was being held at Ohinemuri, for a "tangi" on account of the death of the celebrated chief Taraia. Several leading chiefs from various parts of the island had accompanied Mr. McLean in the "Luna," and now joined in the "tangi." When it was over, a "korero" was held, at which the Governor and the Minister for Native Affairs addressed the assembled tribes. We annex the substance of the speeches delivered.

rose and welcomed the visitors as follows: Welcome, Governor, welcome, Mr. McLean, to the place of Taraia's death. Come and see the death of Taraia, and express your regret to the people who last saw him. His soul has gone, taken hence by the strong hand of Death. Welcome, O people. Welcome, Ngatiraukawa and Ngatikahungunu. Come