MAORI KORERO.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 138, 12 June 1911, Page 9

MAORI KORERO.

THE WAATTT MEETIXG. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HUXTLY, Saturday. The korero at Waahi, over which Ahuriri, Mahuta's prime minister, presides, resumed on Thursday evening, and was continued till Friday nighty when it was adjourned until next month, the date to be fixed hy the Acting-Premier (Hon. Jas. Carroll), who, with the Hon. A. T. Ngata, is expected to be present. The attendance, which was large, was augmented by the presence of many new arrivals. The whole of the time of the sederants was. consumed in dividing the area over which "King' Mahuta's imana extends into ridings of somewhat similar size, and with equal populations, and of appointing to those ridings members who should form the first marae, or village council, the result 'being the appointment to the respective ridings of the following:—Te __cau riding, Tukua Hohua; Hauraki, Pohutuhutu and Titapu; Tauranga, Tomonui; Patetere, Eaufiia; Aotea, Kawhia, Marokopa, Ponaka Kiwi; Tamaki, Tohikuri; Maniapoto, Hiri Wetere and Ruruku; Wharepuhahga, Howeta; Waikato, Wimaki and Pookingi. The names of the members and the boundaries of the nine ridings will be submitted to the Xative Minister, and if approved by him will be gazetted in due course. Neither president nor secretary was elected, nor was it proposed to delegate to the marae council power to deal with the lands for sale and lease, and the sais of those set apart under the title, ( 'Mana of Mahuta." j these matters beir.f; left until the visit I of the -Hon. Mr.. Carroll or the Hon. A. T. Xgata. who will enlighten the natives ; as to whether the scheme propounded at the last big meeting will he accepted by the Government. The chairman of the ."komiti" (Tame Kawe), who was appointed by the last meeting to draw a report of the proceedings, and to present them to the Xative Minister, when seen stated that he had been received well in Wellington, and from whnt transpired he was of opinion that the Whole scheme would go through. It did not conflict in any way with the law as it stood at present, and as it was an honest attempt at the solution of a problem that vitally affected them, he was sure it would be accepted as such. The scheme had opponents, of course, and they held that the Government would not allow any committee unpointed to put the various areas up for sale by public auction, bnt that all lands to be alienated must he bought by the Government. He was opposed to this. as the only proper way to obtain fnll value for the land was to put it up for auction, and sell to the highest bidder, as the nakeha did. Personally, he thought the scheme would be adopted in toto. If not he would be greatly disappointed.