THE MAORI PARLIAMENT AT WAIPATU.

The Maori Parliament which has assembled at Henaro Tomoana's settlement of Waipatu, near Hastings, Hawko's Bay, was formally opened on Tuosday. The proceedings commenced with a religious service, the Rev. Hone Piwhaka officiating. After prayers, a chief approached tho big flagstaff, and rai.W tho Union Jack a fow yards, piuisini; as the prayers were resumed, and then raising it slowly till it floated at half-mast. Hero tlioro was another pan so, and at a signal from tho Mastor of Coremonics, the flag was drawn BWiftly to tho mast-head, the assombled chiefs saluting. Tho guthcring includes roprosentativo chiefs from every part of tho colony, and there aro many European visitors watchingHho proceedings with interest. Tho Hon. Mr. Carroll, member of tho Executive) Council, is one of those present, and amongst the chiefs aro Parautone Tamamiiurangi. Uopitone Whiua, Tare Tikao, Pita Tipa, To Wharopnrau, Major Kemp, Major Ropata, Tuta Nihoniho, Wi Pore, the host, Henaro Tomoana, and the local ahiafe. The original Treaty of Waitangi has boon brought to tho moeting, and in front of tho runaiiga houso, specially bnilt for tho occasion, are exhibited largo portraits of Hapuka and Harawira, two Hawko's Bay chiefs now dead, who were amongst the signatories to the famous Treaty. The coromony of tho hoisting of tho nag having concluded, Hamiora Mangakahia read an address of welcome to tho assemblage on behalf of Henaro Tomoana. There aro three Maori brass bands on the ground — tbo Otaki Bond, which porformed here at the Governor's reception, tho Wanganni (Major Kemp's) Band, and the Paki Paki (H. 8.) Band, and aftor tho reading of tho address, tho VVanganuis marched to the flagstaff and porformed a number of selections. After tbifc tho chiefs reassembled to elect a Speaker, but it was dooided to postpone the appointment for tho present, and to make Hanaro Tomoana Chairman pro tern. The proceedings were then adjourned for a recess of a. couplo of days. The meeting, which comprises the 70 chiefs constituting the Parliament and some 2000 of their retainers, is, liko all gatherings at Waipatu, extremely well managed. At Waipatu thero is a grout diving-hall, with a kitchen of similar size immediately behind it. A light tramway runs down tho centre of both these buildings. Many hundreds of guests take their seats on long forms at either side of this tram line, and sit in solemn silence while Henare Tomoana says grace. Then at a signal from the master of ceremonies, the curtains at one end of the building are suddenly drawn aside, and immense tables, covered with snowy tablecloths, and laden with all the good things of a European banquet, decked out with flowers and greenery and tastefully arranged, run silently down the tram line, and the guests who a moment before were gazing on vacancy, find themselves each opposite hie plate and knife and fork, with the young people of the pah clad in spotless white (who bad arranged tho table out of sight in the Trig kitchen) hovering behind them, eager to attend to their material wants. Everything is on the table bat alcohol, and that is tapu at Waipatu. To bring it in, or come in under its influence to the pah on ordinary occasions, involves its confiscation and a heavy fine, and during the present meeting 1 there will be the addition of three days' imprisonment amidst the jeers of the assemblage, a Rentonce which will bo promptly enforced by tho body of stalwart volunteer native police onrolled by the chiefs themselves for tho occasion. The writor can answor for tho completeness of the arrangements, as he has been guest at more than one such banquet at Waipjitn. The subjects to be discussed by tho Parliament aro the native land laws and matters affecting the race generally. Amongst those who have gone out from Napier to see the gathering was Mr. Snazelie, and with him his limelight manipulator, Mr. Bishop, who took an excellent series of photographs with a view to their roproduotion by tho medium of his lanterns. There are 70 Maori bandsmen on the ground, and they are to be agked to give an open air concert in Napier for the benefit of the local Hospital.