The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-06-14 00:00:00

ICING TAWHAIO Lir HOME."

The Maori King and his suite had scarcely sett.led
down in their comfortable quarters in London when
the number of callers made it absolutely necessary to
limit the time during which they could see visitors,
and it was accordingly announced that the King
would be "at home" from eleven till one. This inti-
mation was, of course, only intended for persons
bear:ng letters of introduction or having business with
the King, but it seems to have been interpreted as an
announcement that the Maoris would be "Oh view"
during those hours. Foremost among the would-be
interviewers were the representatives of almost every
newspaper in London. The King, whenever any of
this ilk were announced, sent his interpreter away,
and the result was that the interviews, when granted,
were brief enough, for the Maori language is not as
vet a well known one. But though the number and
of callers have worried the Maoris somewhat
they have been very much amused thereby. One lady
wished to introduce her daughter, who can sing a
Maori song in the native tongue. Declined. Anothei
had got a mat fit for the King to sit on. She said
she had been told that it was made for that special
purpose, and his Majesty might have it for a trifling
sum of 100 guineas. Also declined with thanks. An
enterprising tailor offered to clothe the whole embassy
from top to toe gratis and to supply further orders
at half-price. This Offer very much offended the
chiefs, and was curtly declined. On Saturday another
caller sent up a card with merely his name on it, and
was very indignant when he was not granted an inter-
view. His mission was understood to be the conver-
sion of the Maoris, and to make arrangements for
their appearance in public as members of the " Salva-
tion Army." Mr. Ashbury, late M.P. for Brighton,
kindly sent to the king and his suite an invitation to
spendoome days at Brighton, and theyhope to be able
to accept it. Dr. Reed, from the Crystal Palace, was
well received and thanked for the offer of the directors
to specially entertain the party at the palace—one
day, when there will be fireworks in the evening. At
present there is no lack of offers of hospitality and
entertainment, but what the Maoris want is sympathy
and help with their cause. They have been assured
that this will come when the precise object of their
visit to this country becomes known. It is surmised
that they base taeir claim to consideration on the
fact that in 1879 a New Zealand Government com-
mission, which was appointed to inquire into and
report upon the justice of the Maori claims, decided
in their favour, but when it was afterwards found that
the claims could not be satisfied for less than
£3,000,000 the report was shelved. On Thursday in
last week the King caught cold. He had begun to
feel so much "at home" that he donned a white
flannel suit and went out shopping. His Majesty
does not wear collars, so he bought a silk neckerchief,
which he twists twice round his neck and ties in a
knot in front. While on•the subject of dress it may
be mentioned that Tawhai a usually wears a blue frock
coat, the tads of which he tucks up after the fashion
of the Bluecoat boys, and fastens up with a girdle of
plaited grass which he ties in a knot, and has to loosen
whenever he wants to get at his poakets. Since he
caught cold he sits indoors in his Waterproof cloak.
A kind friend has sent him several boxes of cough
lozenges, and he sucks and chews the pleasant medi-
cine while he smokes his cigar. He used to smoke
nothing but pipes, but having noticed that cigars are
smoked by the 'better classes he has dropped his pipe.
On Saturday all but the King (who was not well
enough to be out of doors) attended a private con-
ference with the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House,
and stayed to luncheon. After dinner—they (line at
seven—they had a look at London by night, and were
much astonished at the crowded state of the streets
and the noise and bustle of the parts where marketing
was going on. On Sunday a visit was paid to St.
Paul's Cathedral, and the afternoon service was much
enjoyed. The impressive grandeur of the cathedral
and the beautiful music pleased them immensely.
Unfortunately the King was not well enough to
attend.