THE KOPUA MEETING.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1621, 1 May 1879, Page 3

THE KOPUA MEETING.

[Press Special Wire.] ALEXANDER April 30.

The assembly of Natiteii i« now complete The Lower Waikatos, who arrived on Sunday, but had an accident through the capsizing of a canoe and drowning of a youngster, reached Kopua this morning. They were received by shouts of welcome and a war-dance.

The Ngapuhis remain here waiting for Sir Q-. Grey and his tail, of which they form an important part. A few of these people visited the king before. Their ancestors knew the Waikatos to their cost after their second attack at Euatakatea, where they were effectually routed, and only half a dozen returned to tell the tale. On the first attack they were armed, and Waikatos were not, but on the second the latter were prepared for them. The meeting of these once belligerent tribes will possess a peculiar interest, and form a feature of the great meeting, if it takes place. The King still stands on his dignity, and Sir George Grey will have to knuckle under if he is to meet Tawhiao; because the latter declines to comply with the request that he vull send a special invitation to Sir George Giey. He considers that since Hikurangi these meetings have assumed an importance which they did not then possess, and wholesale invitations have not been sent. The Premier considers he should be so honored, but Tawhiao replies that this is only an adjournment of the first meeting, and no other invitations are nefcessary to the Government. He is firm on this point, notwithstanding a letter written to Eewi on board the Hinemoa, a..d received yesterday, urging that Sir George will be in Waikato on Thursday on other business, and, if invited, will be glad to see Tawhiao. Eewi’s reply, sent the same day, said no invitation was needed other than the one sent by himself. Your special correspondent, interviewing Tawhiao and Eewi to-day on the subject of the invitation which Sir G. Grej requires, was shown the letter and the reply, and assured that Sir G. Grey need not expect more. If the Premier does not come the Natives will discuss matters amongst themselves so long as their Ifood, which is enormous in quantity but vile in quality, lasts. An engine and carriage were in waiting to bring Sir George on Sunday on arrival of the Hinomoa at Auckland, if an invitation had been to hand, when the letter sent on arrival would have been unnecessary. These is no doubt that Eewi’s version will bo accepted, namely, that the meeting is a continuation of the Hikurangi one, and that Tawhiao has boon mustering all his tribes in anticipation of the Premier’s presence to talk over matters.

There are a number of Europeans here who are allowed full access to Kopua, with the exception of the Eoyal quarters, which are strictly guarded by the king’s fighting men, equipped with rides, pouches, &c., but in the costume of our first parents. They muster in file, and form fours to words of command, were dressed, put through their facings, and told off to head a procession to supply the visitors with food. The number was some 400, and the quantity of food carried was enormous. Tawhiao headed his fighting men with spear and feathers, and Eewi was one of the many Generals in command. The bugle sounds and shots are fired at intervals during the day, and the whole place at head-quarters presents quite a martial aspect, ff an obstructive pakeha ventures beyond the aukati ho is quickly ordered off. A few pakeha spectators advanced too near the body guard when being exercised this morning, and were pushed buck with a poke of a sword held by a Maori officer.

Strangers were this morning kindly treated to a savory kit of potatoes and preserved fish, chiefly dried eels, which few with ordinary appetites could stomach. Some pakeha Maoris felt it their duty, for form’s sake, to tackle it, but their visages soon told they wore martyrs to etiquette, and the yelping dogs around came in for the feast.

The visitors include a few representatives of speculators, who have a keen eye for land, but the bulk are persons who are hero through curiosity. Some communication has been received by the Native agents here, Messrs Grace and Von Sturmor, R.M., about the attitude Tawhiao lias assumed, including also a reply from Rcwi.

Several matters are being discussed, preliminary to the arrival of Sir George Grey. Latee.

The Native meeting is still delayed, consequent on Tawhiao's declining to issue the invitation. Rewi’s communication does not seem so far to have the desired effect, although some rather wordy messages passed. Altogether, the position has been a harassing one, the Maoris’ ideas being contrary to ours, while the delay is unimportant to them. The Ngapuhi and some of Raul Tuhaere’s people,

who may be said to form Sir G. Grey’s body guard, and who have their trip to tho King’s territory at the expense of the country, are still at Alexandra, awaiting advices from headquartc's. The distribution of tho food took place with great ceremony to-day, the Natives becoming impatient and hungry, notwithstanding tho liberal supplies provided to each Hapu on arrival. The food was distributed in a raw state in order to save time. The ceremony was performed with all pomp and pageantry. A Maori commissary general inspected the piles of edibles, and when the tribes assembled some speechifying was gone through. It is feared that if Sir Grey awaits Tawhiao’s invitation things will be delayed too long. The Premier will most probably proceed from Hamilton to Alexandra to await the opportunity to visit Kopua.

TAWHIAO MEAT NOT TO INVITE MINISTERS,

AUCKLAND, April 30

Tawhiao communicated to-day with Haora Tub acre, tho friendly chief, who ia working hard in Sir G. Grey’a interest. Tawhiao reiterates that ho will send no invitation, and intimates that Sir G. Grey has broken faith with him in regard to things promised at last Hikurangi meeting, roads having been niade without his consent, and the land promised him on the west bank of tho Waipa River having been put up fof sale. MINISTERS DETERMINE TO 00 UNINVITED. Sir George Grey, Mr Sheehan, and party left Waikato at 3 o’clock in a special train; They remain to-night at Ngaruawahia, aud go on to Hamilton by ordinary train tomorrow morning. Turning the first sod of the Hamilton railway is expected to occupy three hours. Tho party will then return to Ngaruawahia,- where a steamer will bo ready to take them up tho Waipa river to Alexandra, The party will be met by Te Wheoro, with four canoes, and taken on to the' place of meeting.

[PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ALEXANDRA., April SO. Your correspondent slept at Whitiora’s place among the Ngatihaua Kiugites, close to Tawhiao’s house. To-day he interviewed Manuhiri and other leading chiefs. They all concur that there is no necessity for a special invitation to Sir G. Grey, as it was arranged definitely at Hikurangi that the present meeting should bo made for him, Rowi expresses great anxiety as to Sir G. Grey’s arrival. Manuhiri, Hoani and others statejthat the Kingites will not consent to the railway to Taranaki, but Tawhiao may permit its construction at a future time, himself retaining the management and profits.

Tawhiao will not consent to receive a salary from tho Government, He may come to live at Ngaruawahia or Wikari, where Sir George Grey’s meeting will be held,- on this side of the boundary. Tawhiao issued a proclamation last night, prohibiting Europeans from coming over from Hauwai to Tomotomoki, where your correspondent now is. Sir G. Grey is expected here to-morrow, and a house has been prepared for him and Mr Sheehan. The Natives are encamped on an extensive plain, two and aj half miles west of Kokepuke Hill, at tho back of Pirongia Plain, surrounded by low undulating hills. The Waikatos are in tents. Tho Ngatiamampoto are encamped nearer to tho Waipa river. Mr Searo,ncke and Major Jackson were here last night. All the morning was spent in preparing food. A large number of pigS were slaughtered, being barbarously knocked on the head with axes and placed writhing on fires. Great numbers of cattle are on the flat ready for slaughtering. Eewi to-day presented four bottles of grog to Major Jackson, but Tawhiao issued a proclamation against grog. About fifty Europeans are here. A great many Tangis are taking place for the dead who were killed in the last war.

All Tawhiao’s gendarmes are dressed in white, with painted faces, and well armed, mostly with double barrelled guns. Plenty of powder is wasted. The chief soldiers have firemen’s helmets and scarlet waistcoats.

Manuhiri informs me that the Waikatos and Ngatimaniopotos are in perfect accord as to the programme to be presented to the meeting. The total at the meeting is not likely to exceed three thousand. To-day Te Wheoro’s people presented forty boxes of biscuits to the Waikatos and Ngatimaniopotos. The construction of the trunk railway to Taranaki may be matter of years. At present the Natives will not consent to it. Groat pressure will be brought to bear against Tawhiao to prevent his accepting a salary from Government, which they think would undermine his independence, and practically render him subservient to the Government. The friends of the Government hero state that the trunk railway to Taranaki is not regarded as a sine qua non of tho success of the present meeting. The Kingites are anxious about the truth of a rumor that the land hear Harapipi, promised them, has been sold. Manuhiri says it was distinctly promised to he restored by Sir D. McLean, and that Sir Donald offered Tawhiao a salary, which was refused. It is said the land at Harapipi was only surveyed, and not alienated. Any opposition raised by the settlers at the present juncture to the restoration of this land might complicate matters.

To-day Messrs Yon Sturmor, 8.M., and Ross arrived. They were met by Bewi, who invited fthem to see the house prepared for Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan. Major Jackson, who stood by, asked Rswi to stand on the verandah and state whether he approved of Sir G. Grey’s proposals, and what programme he intended to propose. Rewi replied —I have told you before that I invited Grey here. I have nothing to say further than that.

Rowi then took Mr Robs by the hand and led him away.