NATIVE MEETING RE CAMBEIDGE ROAD.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4722, 12 October 1872, Page 3

NATIVE MEETING RE CAMBEIDGE ROAD.

In accordance with previous arrangement, Captain Turner, Mr. Hopkins Claike, and others proceeded by the Government boat on Thursday morning to Eangiwaea for the purpose of attending a public meeting of natives interested in the project of opening up the road between Tauranga and Cambridge. The party on arrival found about 200 natives assembled, comprising members of various tiibes. They all appeared clean and healthy, and some of them were welldressed, more especially the "fair" sex, who were very brilliant with shawls and gaily coloured rugs. Hori Tupaea acted as ohaii man. The meeting was continued in the open air until after sunset ; they then adjourned to a large home. The Hauhaus objected to the road on principle, as Kingites. Hori Tupaea spoke in favour of the opposition. His reason for so doing is from a feeling of jealousy with another portion of the Ngaiterangi tribe (Ngaituwhiwhia), who were much annoyed at his using his influence— mana— on the side of the .Ngatiraukawa instead of assenting on behalf of his own tribe. The discussion lasted through the greater part of the night Several very hot speeches were made by the Tau^anga chiefs as to their claim by descent to the portion of land over which the road is likely to run. Hori Tupaea and Hori Ngatai had a very sharp passage of arms on the subject of ancestors. The subject of gold-prospecting was brought up : the conclusion come to is, when the road is opened prospecting shall be allowed. Akahata Tupaea and Ngawharau, sons of the two principal chiefs owning the land, are vei y desirous that the road and prospecting should be allowed at once. The meeting was brought to a close by Mr. Clarke (for Mr. Turnei) telling the natives that, as the Ngatirankawa were willing that the road should pass through their land, and no obstacle being put in the way, the road would at once be surveyed as "far as the Ngatiraukawa boundary. The opposition on the side of the Ngaiterangi will shortly be withdrawn.— Bay of Plenty Times.