LETTER TO THE HAURAKI NATIVES, RELATIVE TO THE NATIVE MEETING AT WAIKATO.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4409, 2 October 1871, Page 3

LETTER TO THE HAURAKI NATIVES, RELATIVE TO THE NATIVE MEETING AT WAIKATO.

Yesterday the nativeß of Hauraki handed to Mr. Sheehan, Provincial Treasurer, a - £ tto F wfoch they had just received -from O-aTOati Ngapora, the King's principal ad- ' -I1I 18 ij r ' y% l fyB them to atfcei *d the meeting f, eld a* Te. Kuiti. The, letter also advised tnenithat the natives of Puatahi (a settlementJ on the Kaipara occupied by strong sympathisers with the King), now on their way toithe meeting,' and requested that the JUauraki people would let them have boats to go on by way of the Thames. Wi I^eweti, to whom the letter was addressed, asked MTr. Sheehan what he would advise thorn to do. In reply Mr. Sheehan gave them to under-itand that, by the latest accounts, the meeting had been attended by v'jry unimportant results, idle talk and "very heavy feeding being its principal features. He pointed out to them that no substantial benefit to the law-observing portion of the natives had ever accrued from the Waikato meetings, for holding which noreason could l>e assigned, except perhaps that the Waikatos having lost their lands would like to originate fresh disturbances, and lead others into trouble. They would act wisely "by staying at home, and going on with their planting, instead of wasting their time and saoney in a purposeless journey to Waikato. They might reply to Tamati's letter by asking him to come down to Orakei and talk to | them. As for lending their boats to the Puatahi natives, he considered that would be as bad as if they went themselves. If the Puatahi people wished to indulge their Hauhau proclivities, they should be allowed to do so at their own expense. They could charter boats or go by steamer, but the loyal people of Kaipara should not encourage them in their folly. This advice was concurred in and approved of by all the chiefs present. Among them were some of the most influential members of the Kaipara tribes, including — Te Kecne, Ngaweke, Patoromo, Maata, Tautari, Te Ilakuene, Te Wharepouri, aud Wi liewefci. It would be well if all other loyal tribes followed the example of Ngatiwhatua, for the King would soon become the " shadow of a name," and the cost of defence be reduced to a nominal sum.