THE NATIVE MEETING.

Evening Star, Issue 5042, 2 May 1879, Page 4

THE NATIVE MEETING.

[From Ouk Own Oobbespoitdbnt.] ALEXANDRA, May 1. Yesterday Rewi was induced to write a letter requesting Sir George Grey td return to Auckland but Rewi reconsidered and Mr Von Stunner to destroy the letter. To-day the Rev. Mr Buddie (Wesleyan missionary from the Three Kings) visited Te Kopua with the Rev. Mr Snackenberg (Wesleyan). They breakfasted with Rewi and Manuhiri at Thompson's bouse. Major Jackson and Major Searancke (late resident magistrate) were also present. Rewi, addressing the Rev Mr Buddie, said : —"This is the result of our taking our hands off each other's head. Grey and I are now one in body ; but we have still two hearts, and will discuss the matter from independent standpoints. What is the good of people who cannot discuss things from different sides ? I will tell him my thoughts, and he will tell me his." Later the Rev Mr Buddie, accompanied by Mr Buddie, of Whitaker and Russell, his son, the Rev Mr Snackenberg, Mr Pounds (of the Union Bank), Mr Hobbs, M.H.R. (also the son of an old and highly-respected Wesleyan missionary), Major Jackson, and others visited Manuhiri at his house. Thereception wasmost cordial. Manuhiri to the Rev Mr Buddie : "You have grown old," and your special remarked to Manuhiri " This is onoot your old friends." Manuhiri replied " Tenet ano wja me hta mate." " This is the representative ofcithings that are dead." This was an allusion to Mr Buddlea's missionary efforts thirty-four years ago. Since then most of MahuhiriV people have died. A conversation took place privately between the Rev. Mr Buddie and Manuhiri, at which I was not .'present, but for the account of which I anft. indebted, to the rev. gentleman himself. Manuhiri remarked: "Formerly you brought us Christianity. Then came troubles i about the land, and after that.' war. and strife; but in time we have met to restore the first condition of affairs. • Yoii used to tell me when I was a iboy-about the infernal fire. For many years I wondered what that could be, but found out it was the blaze of the pakeha's big guns." This jeu d" esprit caused considerable amusement in the camp, as it was repeated from mouth to mouth. Rain commenced in .showers last night, but the weather cleared up about noon. To day the weather, ia again threatening, and dark clouds have gathered overhead. Since 1 o'clock, constant showers have fallen, but the yellow glow of sunset last evening over the westeM mountains promised a line morning to-morrow. Great quantities of,. food were' brought to-day from ! the Waikato camp to an open space nearer the river. Five hundred bags of flour were taken > from under the ti ■ tree sheds and carried down a distance of half a. milebythe Waikatos. The Natives carrying sacks of flour over the plain resembled a sailing caravan of ants. Te Ranga, Manuhir(i's daughter, asked me this morning if there was any truth in the report that Manga had sent a letter to Sir G. Grey telling hira not to come. Of - " course I undeceived her. Te;Ranga is the place of departed souls in Maori tradition at the extreme of the North Island. Tasked Te Ranga how she came to be named,, and she. save me to understand that' it was given her at a period when her people were being rapidly killed off by war and disease. She is evidently half iinsane. Sir George Grey, the Native Minister, and a party of ten will arrive by steamer to-night, and will be conveyed up the river by Te Wheoro's friendlies and the Ngapuhi, which, as I have explained, emanated from Sydney Tawhenga individually, Were* telegraphed here, and translate to Rewi and the Ngatimaniopoto people. They appeared somewhat offended at the dictatorial tone of the resolutions, until it was explained that they had not emanated from the Ngapuhis as a body. Rewi yesterday'expressed great admiration for the Rev. Mr Reid, because he was a man who spoke his mind. My reports are being telegraphed here I believe, and translated to the Native's. T ifieard this morning a portion of a report telegraphed openly discussed that could not have reached here by ordinary mail. ; .