THE KOPUA MEETING.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1620, 30 April 1879, Page 3

THE KOPUA MEETING.

[PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] fßx Telegraph.] , ALEXANDRA, April 29,

We arrived here at two o'clock, having ridden overland. The party were met and received by Whitiora.' and his people, the Hauraki iriendhes. There are 800 soldiers under Wharetotara (Pikari) and younger chiefs.. They stood to attention while the cavalcade, numbering about 600, rode through. The Hauraki Natives are encamped at the southern side of the place allotted for guests. After the opening of the since I arrived, I have learned the foi!owii g newsMajor Jackson arrived here yesterday with a considerable supply of waipiro—though tho introduction of spirits is forbiddtn. This morning early ho was introduced to To Kooti by one of the volunteorß named Hoard. Tho interview with Te Kooti lasted half an hour. Some conversation was carried on through Thomas Baker, a European interpreter. The conversation was general. This afternoon, during the distribution of food to the Europeans by the proposal of Te Wetere, of Mokau, Mnjor Jackson attempted to address the meeting through Jas. Thompson, a half-caste. Most of the chief's went away, and Major Jackson merely addressed the common people. He expressed the hope that Ministers. would he invited) but tho 'Natives iaughed and cheered. About 2500 are here. The delay of the meeting was caused by anticipat'on of tho arrival of Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan. Tawhiao, Te Ngakau, and all tho leading chiefs had a conversation today, when the subject of Sir George Grey's arrival oropped up. Tawhiao said—There is no necessity for any invitation to Sir George &.-<*, I don't know that it ia usuul to jim> til invitation in any country. 'I ho only invitation was given at the meeting at I'ikuraiigi. I also had tho ftlhwing converaa' ion with Whitiora and stvernl influential chiefs, re« lating to an invitation to the Premier and Native Minister,

Reporter—lt is said in town that Tawhiao will not invite Grey to the meeting. Whitiora—What is the use of an invitation? We gave him one at the last Hikurangi meeting to meet him at Te Kopua. It is for him to come.

A hut is erected of ti-tree sticks inlaid with raupo thirty-nine chains long. It runs north and south, the north being the head and the south the inei or tail. The reception korero with Sir Q.Qrey will be held in front of the hut, which, according to the Maori custom, is emblematical, of peace. All the day was spent principally in dividing the food anft reception of Native visitors. About 2500 Natives are here from Cambridge, 700 Ngatimaniopotos, 600 Ngatiwhaios, 600 Waikatos, and abont 300 followers of Te Kooti. No business will take place of importance until the arrival of Sir Q. Q-rey and Mr Sheehan. On Wednesday lust Te Ngakau camo over late in the evening from Tawhiao's camp to Rewi, requesting him to go over to Tawhiao's whare at daybreak next day. Rewi said, " What am I to go for ?" A second message was sent by Tawhiao, requesting Rewi urgently to meet him. Rewi then went and stood in front of Tawhiao's whare. A very sorrowful lament took place between them and their followers; the King having his body guard behind him. Rewi was in Native costume. Afterwards there was silence for ten minutes, when Tawhiao spoke as follows i—" Come, my fa'her! Come." Ho repeated this about- (*cnty times, and concluded by saying—" Here is no one so clever as you in politics or warfare. Always at your post." Rewi replitd —Here I am j that is if you are my son. My coming is of ruy own Will, and what 1 think and do is of my own judgment, and who is to dictate to me. To-morrow there will be a division of food. Near where I am writing this there are a thousand bags of flour, a hundred of dried fish, and 100 kits of kumara. Whitiora, in pointing out this'food, said:—" This is not from Q- ivernment. We had to work for this by t!c- ivcet of our brow.'' Besidos this there are about 1000 bags of flour, and immense quantities of potatoes and fish. This is the largest supply of food ever collected in the King country, and the meeting will probably be the largest ever held. Rewi's wonderful oven, which he purchased from Major Jackson, has proved a failure, so far oa it burns the bread. Re >i is considerably annoyed at being charged £6 for it. Tawhiao will not send Sir Q. Q-rey and Mr Sheehan an invitation. Rewi wants Sir G. Q-rey to come to exonerate him (Rewi) from the charge of disloralty to the King._ There is a ong anti-Grey feeling existing even amongst the Queenites. If Sir Q-. Qrey • jmes I fear he will be grossly insulted.