NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5341, 27 March 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Special Wike.] Wellington, March 26. Te Whiti's annual meeting was held on the 18th instant, when about 3000 natives were present, but it was a decided failure from a native point of view. Te Whiti'a cardinal doctrine up to the present has been to preserve peace on the West Coast, and the Native Minister fearing that Te Whiti might be drawn to the party, which desires violent measures, determined ; to pay him a visit before leaving Opunake.: Accordingly Mr Sheehan wrote to Te Whiti stating he was coming to see him j not to talk business, but as a matter of personal respect in of Te Whiti's strenuous efforts for many years back to preserve the peace of the West . Coast. The only obstacle to such a visit, Mr Sheehan said, was the presence of the murderer Hiroki, who he observed had been allowed to take part in Te Whiti's meetings, and he wished Te Whiti to understand that if Hiroki was allowed to act, he (the Native Minister) would at once retire. This letter Te Whiti read to his runanga, who considered it reasonable and right. Hiroki was accordingly placed under some restraint, and not allowed to obtrude himself. Mr Sheehan was well received on arrival, and the first; day's meeting was spent in- verbal fencing between Mr Sheehan and Te Whiti, each trying to get the other to begin. Three hours were thus spent in sparring, in the presence of 3000 auditors, and the result was decidedly in Mr Sheehan's favor. The meeting was adjourned to the next morning at 9 o'clock, but in the interim Te Whiti's people loudly expressed dissatisfaction . ~ with his conduct, saying that now' the expected one had come, and the only thing Te Whiti had to say was to ask him what he had to say, instead of talking to him himself. This feeling was so strong that upwards of 1000 nativ.es left before the proceedings commenced next day, and the place of meeting was accordingly only naif filled. At the opening of the proceedings Major Browne announced that the Government had appointed Ruapere, Te Whiti's elder brother and elder chief, to be a Native Assessor, he having previously been chief of the Government police in the settlement, in which capacity he had acted so well as to justify the promotion. The Native Minister then rose and said his visit was only one of respect to Te Whiti, in acknowledgment of Te Whiti's efforts in the cause of peace. He felt sorry for the people's sake, not for his own or Te Whiti's, that the previous --- day had been wasted without any substantial work, but he was now prepared to speak on one condition, that he should be allowed to finish, without interruption. Te Whiti agreed to this. Mr Sheehan said there was not much to speak about, but there were two burning question's— one was Hiroki, and the other the Waimate Plains. As to Hiroki, he (the Native Minister) had little to say. Hiroki stood charged with a capital offence, and nothing could^relieve him of this but standing his trial before the ordinary legal tribune. For many reasons the Government did not desire to attempt by force to take him, but his deliverance up to justice was a necessary preliminary to any final settlement of the questions between the natives and Government. Te Whiti here interrupted Mr Sheehan, and asked how would Hiroki be tried. Would only Maoris be on the jury ? Mr Sheehan replied that the law allowed half the jury to be Maoris. Te Whiti seemed surprised at this, and then asked would the Court come to Parihaka to try Hiroki 1 Mr Sheehan said no, the Supreme Court could only sit at places in certain districts, and Hiroki mußt be tried in the ordinary course. Referring to the Waimate Plains, Mr Sheehan said the land had been confiscated 14 years ago, as a punishment for rebellion. He was only the instrument of the law in carrying out the completion of this survey, and on its completion the old owners would be consulted as to the reserves to be made for them. The Government would deal with i them more liberally even than it had - w dealt with others, but the survey must "V go on, as the land was taken on the authority of the law, and Parliament had sanctioned it. Te Whiti immediately jumped up, and asked who the Parliament were, and pointing to his people, he said they were the only Parliament he knew, and they had not consented. He continued to talk in this.str.ain excitedly for hailf, aa hour

assorting .that t*he Europeans had stolen the lands under the pretence of confiscation. ; Mr Sheehan reminded Te Whiti of his promise not; to interrupt^ but no notice being taken Mr Sheehan quietly sat down * and lit his pipe. When Te Whiti sat down, Mr Sheehan rose and said, " When I began I especially demanded to be allowed to finish ■without interruption, and you agreed. You have broken this condition, and I shall talk no further with you." Then turning to the people he said "I have Baid enough to make my meaning clear. This work is being done with the authority of the law, and those who oppose it do so at their peril. The meeting then closed. Mr Sheehan afterwards spoke to Te Whiti privately, telling him that typhoid fever had broken out amongst the Waitara natives, and warning him not to let his people go near. Te Whiti seemed much alarmed. There is no doubt that the more recent interruption of the survey has Te Whiti's sanction. He has two reasons for countenancing it. In the first place he is deeply charmed at being worsted in debate by Mr Sheehan, and in the second Titokowaru, who was present and is anxious for a moderate settlement of the difficulties, was, after Mr Sheehan's departure, charged by the natives with taking good money on account of the lands in dispute. Titokowaru, in defence, denied this, and said thatTe Whiti was to blame for it all, because when the survey began first he (Titokowaru) sent to Te Whiti, and asked h* it was to be opposed. To that Te Whiti replied "no;" The presumption, therefore^ is that in consequence of this statement . Te Whiti now feels hiniself constrained, in order to preserve nis own influence, to lend himself to the violent party; It is quite certain, aiid should be remembered to Titokowaru's credit; that a section of the meeting was in favor of killing one or more of the surveyors, but Titokowaru said he t ftould not agree to anything of the kind. He had tried that game; and fbiind it did j not answer. All ne would consent to i_was to put the surveyors across the river force or violence. The statements made that the Parihaka meeting was a failure from a Government point of view is unfounded. If anything, it was too successful, as the natives themselves say that this alteration in Te Whiti's line of conduct is mainly due to his discomfiture in argument by Mr Sheehan. The statement that Mr Sheehan and party shook hands with Hirold is absolutely false. Hiroki was in the body of the meeting, but was not permitted to take any part in the proceedings, and Mr Sheehan firmly demanded the murderer's surrender to justice. Mr Skeet, the surveyor who was ordered off, was doing the inland boundary, through Titokawaru's own settlement. The other surveyors nearer the coast, it is said, they were to be moved yesterday, but no confirmatory news of this has been yet received. The surveyors state that nothing could have exceeded the politeness and good humor of the natives. In moving the camp everything was carefully packed in drays and carted across the plains. There was no violence. The surveyors wisely consented to go when civilly asked. The Government have resolved to advertise 16,000 acres of the surveyed portion of the plains for sale by auction at Carlyle on May 6th. Later. Major Brown has arrived here. Capt, Blake, before he left Hawera had an interview with Titokowaru. Honi Pehama, and other chiefs, who all condemn Te Whiti's action, and will support the Government. Te Whiti's instructions to the natives were to remove the surveyors peaceably three times, and if they came back to do as Hiroki did. When told that his action would lead to bloodshed, and reminded that he had always preached peace, he replied, " I have spoken." The Government are determined to end the opposition once and for all now, and are taking steps to render assistance Te Wharima, the great Ngatimaniapoto chief, will attend the King meeting. It is the first time he has done so. The Government land negotiations on the East Coast are making rapid progress. Several important blocks will be transferred direct to the Crown in the Native Lands Court. The half-caste chief Wi Pere and his people have rendered signal Service to the Government in these transactions, and they will be substantially recognised. The question of the title to Murimotu will be reheard in the Native Lands Court, but the Government have agreed to fulfil the agreement with the original occupiers, subject to the approval of Parliament. Some of the Opposition in the Waikato have been trying to induce the natives to the Governor instead of the Ministers to the native meeting, but Rewi, who is well up in constitutional practice, |TOoh-poohed the idea, saying that the Governor could do nothing without the advice of the Ministers. Two persons holding commissions in the Militia, and who are justices of the peace, are believed to be fomenting discontent amongst the natives. The Government will probably remonstrate with them. The land purchases in Wanganui and on the West Coast are being pushed on successfully, with the view of giving an impetus to the North Island land fund, which will be devated to tho completion of the trunk railway from Wellington to Auckland. Tenders for the first section of the West Coast line from Kaiwarro to Porirua will probably be called for in three weeks. Mr Sheehan leaves for the West Coast to-night. Auckland, March 26. Te Ngahau, the King's secretary, passed through Alexandra yesterday to arrange with" Tawhiao the date of the Kopua meeting, when he will telegraph to the Government. Major Kemp and the .other Wanganui chiefs left Wanganui yesterday by way of Taupo to attend the Kopua meeting. The purchase of the middle Tawhaia block of- 90,000 acres in the Taupo district is completed. The Ngatikihunas have resolved to support Henare Matua for the East Coast native seat. Ihaia Taru, of Greymouth, is likely to be returned unopposed for the Middle Island seat. An important native meeting is to be held at Tokeno, south of Taupo, on the 27th, under the auspices of Topia Turoa, to consider four points : Ist, To consider the giving effect to Morrin's leases. 2nd, To consider the Government site for a township and settlement at Tokeno. 3rd, To arrange for the survey of all the lands that side of the lake. 4th, To provide the means for making a road from Taupo into Wanganui. The survey of a road from Potouea, by way of Ohinemutu, to Cambridge, will be commenced at once, the native negotiations being completed. Haweba, March 26. The Maoris, about twenty strong in each party, are removing Climie's and Fennerty's camps in bullock drays to this side of the Waingongoro river. Mr Anderson's party, which is in the bush, will be the only one left on the plains. Te Whiti decided on this after Mr Sheehan left. The Maoris were to turn the rest off to-day, and pull up the surveyor's pegs. Commissioner Williams has left Carlyle for the plains to interview the natives. New Plymouth, March 26. The Herald's Hawera correspondent wires:— "All quiet, and there is not much excitement here nor down towards Wanganui, but the people are very anxious to know what steps the Government intend taking." Commenting on the state of affairs, the Herald this evening says :— (' The Government seem to have made up

their minds as- to. the correct course to pursue ; that is, to push, oh the sale pf ihe, 1 first. block of 16,000 acres. This decision of the' Government appears as bold and prompt as that of Te Whiti, but in order to. make such a step effective there must be at hand a material force, without which the law to a Maori of Te Whiti's type is a very dead letter. " Further on it says : — "We will readily give the Government credit for at least common sense, and knowing they are acting under a great responsibility we think they must see their way clear in the matter, but there is to us one patent fact, and that is the great remissnes3 of the late and the present Government in not pushing on the making of roads in this district, which would have the effect of robbing the difficulty of half its terrors. A metalled road to Inglewood, instead of a mud one, would have surrounded the disaffected district and made it vulnerable at any point in the rear, while the coast road would make it accessible in the front. Bufowing to portions of these roads being unfinished they are practically bad, and as unfitted for military operations as they were years ago." It concludes as follows : — " There is, however, a course of aotion open to the Government which may yet retrieve the past, and that is to go on with the sale, but at the same time to push on a branch railway from Opunaki with a respectable force, say 500 men. We do not exactly care what they are called, navvies or police, all we would insist on is that the men should be in a sufficient shape of organisation to take care of themselves under any Contingency. At the same time, that we thus push on work we exercise our power in a reasonable way by making metalled roads through the disaffected district, which is the true and only permanent solution of the native difficulty. Anything short of this is but of a temporary character, and does little to promote. the real pacification of the native race." Another telegram from the Herald special says that the whole of the survey party have been transplanted from the Waimate Plains by the natives, and are camped at the Waingongoro river. The natives are unanimous that those were Te Whiti's instructions. Everything was done with great good humor on both sides. Mr Andersbn had some natives to breakfast with him on Monday. They swallowed some brandy, and quietly stated they were going to remove him from the plains. The natives were in the best of temper and fall of joking. When told that the soldiers would return with the surveyors, they said, "All right, we will not fight." Te Whiti's influence is considerably increased by his prophecy coming true. Titokowaru is anxious, and the majority of the natives seem afraid they have gone toofar,and thatthefutureactionof theGovernmentjwill make them pay a heavy penalty'in the loss of reserves, &c. Meantime they are busy chopping up pegs, and pulling them out of the ground with picks. A greater portion of the country will require to be re-surveyed.