WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 11 September 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

WAIROA.

[From a Correspondent ]. 2nd September, 18G3

I beg to enclose you a copy of some speeches made at a Kative meeting at Tmiroa and Mutiti on the 28th August, when there were present C. H. Brown, Esq., R.M., R. Riddell, Esq., J.P., Mr. Worgan, interpreter, and others. The Natives having agreed upon a certain line of conduct, sent Ahita, Hari, and . Karailiama, to Matiti to inform the opposite party of their determination, which was—that Matipara and Eewi, of Mohaka, with their connections immediately interested in the disputed block of land would return that day to Matiti and occupy it. This determination was carried out, Matipara, Eewi, and about ten others crossing the river from the Turiroa side and occupying the pah ; Ahita, Hari, and Karaihama going to Matiti with their message, being conducted by six or seven armed men, who were acting as sentries on that part of the river to prevent any one going on the disputed laud,) to a small enclosure adjoining their fighting pah. Ahita then standing up, said ; Listen ; I am come to deliver the final determination of Matipara, and of his friends and supporters. It is not clear to us ■whereof you accuse Matipara. He will not lease his land ; as, apart from the loss of his land, it would be an admission of his guilt, which he most distinctly denies, and which we none of us believe in. Ngatipahauwera have fixed this day to place him on his land and to protect him there, if those only who are concerned interfere. He and they will be left to work their will. But if the other tribes (inland) who have no claim of any kind or pretence for interime.ice thrust themselves into this quarrel, we of the Coast will not sit quiet, 'ibis is our word, let those only who are concerned settle this, as for the others, let them retain to their mountains. There is only one thing further to be said. There is no solution to this difficulty; Matipara will not go ; we will protect him in his determination.”

Ihakara Haeata stood up then and said, “ You, Aliita have delivered your message faithfully; you have concealed nothing. Everything has been said and done that was likely to lead to a peaceful termination of this trouble. What you have now said finishes. It is the one thing that we can neither get over nor under. There is enough of talk, we must now fight. ‘ Let ill weeds grow on the land,’ as for the other (inland) tribes, who shall forbid them when once war commences? Let who will engage. I have finished.”

Te Walmm : “ What Ihakara has said is right, there is nothing left,” &c., (the remainder of his speech being to the same effect). C. H. Brown, Esq., R.M. then stood up, and in a few few words that if they insisted on fighting, let them at least show a just cause for doing so ; that the charge of witchcraft could not stand as a sufficient excuse ; that should they fight on that ground they would suffer, as their cause was unjust. Te Wahuru, much excited, demanded, “ Who are you that states my cause to be unjust ? Everything that had two sides has been discussed, and there is but this left, which offers no possibility of arrangement. When a man is dead his thoughts die with him. At a Runanga at Turanga about some disputed land the sore was healed over, but soon broke out again. Let us therefore fight. I have one thing more to you Magistrates,°[bere he sung a King’s song, the meaning of which was that it was a rare tiling that the Maoris should liave to send to England for a Governor to sot tie that which they could settle themselves]. I have perhaps done much evf.l, but not in this matter. Enough of this (turning to Ahita) let us now arrange the method of fighting: you, Ahita, shall carry messages backwards and forwards. I define these (naming them) as the limits wherein the war shall be confined. Travellers may pass, we (bo not war with them, or women and children. The meeting broke up soon after. Nn-n----rangimataio had a tanyi over the grave°of Rangimataio, it being expected that on its being finished they would attack Mafipara. Paora te Apatu despatched some 30 armed natives to the assistance of Mitipara. Nothing however has occurred up to the present except each party sending for support to the different tribes. A messenger to Mohaka passed on Monday, to bring up the natives from that place, but owing to the death of Huirite, who died on Monday, things are at a stand-still for the present. Ail the parties down to cry over Huirite. It is, however, expected that on their return fighting will commence. C. H. Bro.wa, Esq., R.M., has had seve*

ral native cases to try, but nothing worth noting. On Monday he heard the case of Lewis against Hawkins. This was a case in which the plaintiff sought to recover kl2 balance ot an account. Witnesses having been examined on both sides. Verdict fur plaintiff for A 8 12s.