The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED "The Evening News," "The Morning News," and "The Echo." SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1876

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1977, 10 June 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED "The Evening News," "The Morning News," and "The Echo."

SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1876

*>r the cause th&t lacks essfetanco, For the Tironjj that needs resistance. For the future in the distance, And the co"d that we can do.

Sir George Grey has received a letter from To Ngakau, the Maori King's Secretary, and other leading Kingite chiefs, narrating the proceedings at the meeting between Sir Donald McLean and Tawhiao. As will be seen from the text, which we append, the two leading facts already stated in these columns, that a demand was made for the restoration of Waikato, and that Sir Donald promised a recognition of the King's authority, are confirmed : Te Kopu, June. To Sir George Grey. 0 Father ! Salutations to you and to your friends. This is a message to you concerning what took place at the visit of Sir Donald McLean to this place. He begged Tawhiao to consent to certain rules for him. Tawhiao replied to him this word, That all Waikato should be returned to him. Sir Donald replied, " I cannot do that;" however, this is what he said, that Tawhiao should be appointed to have authority over his people and district. Oh, father! Oh, Grey ! Tawhiao has already this power; but what about the land? let it be given back

again. Wh&t is the reason the land [Waikato] has been retained ? However (as to), your European agents, whom the Government people are now causing to make a disturbance, take them away ; do not leave them here ! This word was also said to McLean, to keep the European agents from here. He has no right, and that is the reason we thought, " Let there be bnt one agent." The Maori laws have been issued, and they have proved satisfactory to the prespnt time; th:it is the reason Sir Dorald saw Tawhino. If it were not for the Maori agent (Te .Wheoro) we should not have seen him.— This is all; from your loving friends, NA WITTFTitr KUMETB, >:a Te Fgalcat/, hontc ■pamtetjakenga., Na Kiwi.

To Ngafeau, it will be remembered, was tho native who, according to t* 1^ Cross report,, spoke slighting]*; £ ftj s Honor the Superintendent. Andtbe same authority positively contradicted the statement that any demand for the restoration of Waikato had been made. The air of secresy which has been thrown around the negotiations beyond the border, and the semi-official intimation that the Native Minister was reserving the result as a " trump Card " for the Assembly, have been rudely disturbed by th 6 disclosures of Te Ngakau and his compatriots. The letter breathes in every line trie old kingite exclusiveness » " Restore our lost territory 5 take away your Pakoha intruders; and leave us te burselvea.'' Ta tho matter of authority, it argues, Sir Donald ca& give Tawhiao nothing which he does not now possess. And the safe protection of half-a-dozen murderers in the very presence of the Native Minister, confirms tho boast. Even tho adrAighion of Sir Donald to fche atigiisfc presence rof Maori majesty is spoken of aa a favour granted, only through the influence of Te Wheoro-, an influential Waikato native, whb iS nofc above taking the Government baoriey for protecting the frontier, but continues on excellent terms with his sworn enemies. The leaking out of the fact that Todd's murderer was one of the distinguished assemblage, and this, later disclaimer to the head of " Hjor Majesty's Opposition," havtt let a flood of light in upon the political importance of that humiliating meeting at Kaipiha.