ARRIVAL OF THE 'LUNA.' VISIT OF THE HON. D. McLEAN TO THE EAST COAST.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4197, 26 January 1871, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE 'LUNA.' VISIT OF THE HON. D. McLEAN TO THE EAST COAST.

The ' Luna ' arrived early yesterday morning from the Bay of Plenty, bringing the Native Minister from a visit undertaken to Taurauga, Opotiki, Whakatane, and other places, in order to make arrangements for the location and settlement of the different tribes, and sections of tribes, wuo from time to time have lately surrendered themselves, and to settle differences with the Arawa about their lands. While at Tauranga, the Arawa complained that they could get no food whilst in attendance on the Court, and the local tribes petitioned for the adjournment or removal of the Court, on account of their provisions being all eaten up by the strangers attending it. The Court was eventually adjourned. The Ngaiterangi prayed for the establishment of a school under the Act of 1867, and seemed very anxious to gi re their children the benefit of an English eduoation. News arrived next day, from the Resident Magistrate at Maketu, that a disturbance waa likely to take place between two powerful sections of the Arawa with regard to a question of land; and Mr. McLean, attended by Mr. Clarke, went on to Maketu. Here they saw first the Ng»tipikiao, and after them the Ngatiwhakaue ; and the result was, that each hapu, after listening to the Native Minister, decided upon not having resort to violent measures, and the rival chiefs shook hands. The next place visited was Opotiki, where the manifest improvement in every way contrasted strongly with the appearance presented by the district some time back. It was most gratifying to see that, now the danger of war and raids was removed from ' them, the settlers were devoting all their energies to their lands, and cultivating every acre they could. The best feeling was also found to exist between the Europoan popula- j tion and the natives ; amongst tlie latter, Hiva Te Popo, the chief of the latelysurrendered Whakatoheas, has given proofs of sincerity beyond his mere speech, which breathed loyalty throughout. Ho has, in conjunction with the follow eis who came in with him, got a very good crop, and keeps up a stiict discipline. All the leading chiefs in the district made their appeal ance and gave the Native Minister a cordial reception. From (tyotiki the ' Luna ' went on to Whakatane. and here a large assemblage of natives wag found, including a number of our recent foes, the Urewera. Among them were Hapurona Kohi,Eru Tamaikowha, I loam P <i,Rakuiaku, &c. These all disclaimed every idea of fighting, and said their country was open to the Government to puisue any enemy. The speeches of the chiefs of the Aiawa, of Ni^atiawa, and Ngatipukeko were to tho effect that they would support the Government, and, when called upon at any tune, aid to put down disturbances. The steamer anchored of? Matata in hopes of i^ettmtr in, but the surf was far too heavy to allow of any chance; so, after a short stay inT.mranga, ehe left for Auckland. Theic is no doubt that this opportune visit of tho Nativo Minis- , ter to the Bay of Plenty has had the effect of TKTOQxisi^ QCkViees of itntatiou which rm^lit have at a future time involved considerable difficulties.

ANOTHEK ACCOV2s'l\ Our own coi respondent wiites : "On tlie eamo clay as the Duke of Ed iu burgh left our shores, the Defence Minister started on a visiting tour through the B.iy of Plenty, and arrived here pn the 19th. The business of the j Native Lands Court sitting here, with Mr. H. L Smith as Judge, had attracted a number of Arawas and others, who were not long before they "intei viewed" Mr. McLean. Thei c were at first the usual requests proffeied that, aa the Court was detaining them from their homes, they ought to be fed at Government expensp ; but somehow or another the demand did not stiike the Minister in thp siime light as it did the petitioners, for he refused to comply with it. The Lands Court was the next subject of grumble. The Arawa gw^UdiWi ilvfi^ea -were exotfbifcatt^ tLdfc | each piece of ground was surveyed several times, and that, what with these fees and surveyors' charges, they found that the experience they had hitherto had of itsworkiugdid not give them favourable impressions. The Ngaiterangi begged for the Court to be moved to Maketu, aa strangers were consuming all their food ; they further exhibited a sign of their advancing civilisation by asking for the establishment of a school at Matapihi, under the Native Schools Act, and for employment on public works. The next day a representation came from the Resident Magistrate at Maketu, that a collision was imminent between the Ngatipikiao and Ngatiwhakaue hapus of the Arawa, the cause of dispute being a decision of the Native Lands Court. Party feelings were running high, and Pokeha on the one hand and llenare Pukuatua on iKe other wei'd very bitter. Considering the state of affairs, and from a wish to avoid any chance of embroiling a friendly tribe, the Court was adjourned : this proceeding has naturally led to much grumbling on the part of surveyors and agents attending the sittings ; but it is only fair to remember that it is far better that individuals should suffer a little in loss of time and money than that a whole district should be involved in a war which might outlast its original cause, and eventually plunge the country into unavoidable expense. With Mr McLean came also Mr. Blackett, the Chief Engineer, and that gentleman rode out immediately after arrival with Captain Turner to inspect the roads in progress. There are now some four miles completed of the trunk road to Taupo, aud a contract has been accepted for the next twelve miles to Orope, Thence the line will be through the bush to Puhirua, on Rotorua Lake, and will eventually meet the works being now carried on from Tapuaehararu to Niho-o-te-Kiore. From Tauranga the steamer took fc'»e party to Maketu, where a day was spent in reconciling the conflicting hapus. It required some address to smooth matters ; but, after a whole day's talking, both parties agreed not to fight, but to leave their quarrel to arbitration. Each side had their talk ; each said it was quite ready to fight ; but as they found their honour was saved by Mr. McLeans intervention, they prudently resolved to accept his advice. The chiefs of the rival parties met and shook hands before the vessel left. So the germs of a (possibly) very disagreeable episode in the Bay of Plenty were comfortably nipped in the bud, and Mr. McLean was able to leave Maketu catisfied that he had put a stop to anything approaching to unpleasantness. From Maketu the next step was to Opotiki, up ■which river the ' Luna ' steamed (reminding one very much of the puzzle of the reel in the bottle), getting to the wharf about 6 a.m. The interviews with, the natives came off excessively well. Hira Te Popo himself is a fine gentlemanly -looking man, who keeps his followers up to the mark. He made a speech in which he acknowledged his mistakes. As deeds go before words, we may feel certain of his honesty, for his efforts are most unremitting to induce the whole of the tribe to work hard and reassume the position they «ok« feaM* From Qso*iki tn« nexb visit was to Whakatane ; and here a great "hm" was assembled to greet Mr. McLean, who, as his boat came near the landing - place, was received with the customary *' Haeremai, lK\©rexnai." On. landing aa awning was iounA spread, around 4uTeßS\deaofvr{viciivrererangQciUfgattp«kek^, 2vFgafciaTpa,PafcuwaJ,and surrendered Urewera. Among the latter were Hapurone Kohi, Eru Tamaikowha, and Rakuraku. Hapurono Kohi has been one of the foremost men in the wbeHwn. J?com UrakAU to the most recent disturbance he has been concerned in every desperate enterprise, and be -was admitted by the Waikatos and all the friendly tribes to be the most formidable foe the Government had to contend with. The scene was picturesque. The spot where the interview took place is a narrow strip of land lying between the river and the steep range of cliffs which, coming down as a spur from the ranges inland, forms the headland known as Ko^' Point. Exposed to the north, and girf «a by hills the place is a perfect hothou»«; and the B oil/a loose schistose rock fl^s every proarise that, if any where i*?™ Zealand, here rines are bound to thrive. There were wwmbled Europeans jnA natives m every SJiooi *«•} Mr, McLean *»d hw oom«

panionß ; officers of the Armed Constabulary ; chiefa in pakeha costume ; chiefs in elaborate mats ; chiefs and followers in mats not elaborate ; aud the lately-surrendered Hauhaus, very ragged, but looking as fat and jolly as possible. In the middle of the talk a procession of women appeared walking two and two, each with a kit of potatoes ; those were deposited one on the other till they reached a height of some three feet; and then the kcrero was interrupted, and food became the order of the day. Mr. McLean took this opportunity to visit the redoubt. And here I must remark that though not fond of Alpine feats, yet I felt glad I had allowed myself to be i erauaded to follow his example. The redoubt, for cleanliness, neatness, and sbrengbh, beats all I have seen, and redoubts are numerous in New Zealand ; the view from it ranges over miles of country ; there is not a speck of dirt to be aeen in it , and it commands the road down the Whakatane Valley, that from Opotiki, aud the ferry across the river. I doubt, however, if ever all these advantages, inclnding a well-kept garden and comfortable whares, would reconcile me to being so very near the clouds — but then I am not a constable, so I am not in a position to judge. In the afternoon the steamer left; and, after an ineffectual attempt to laud Mr. McLean at Mafcata, returned here just in time to catch the 'Ashley,' and learn that the telegraph communication was interrupted beyond Makctu. I suppose by the time this reaches you it will once more be reestablished. We expect to see the ' Luna cave our harbour this afternoon."