A VISIT TO TE NGUTU-O-TEMANU AND TO WERE-WERE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VIII, Issue 1356, 12 July 1886, Page 2

A VISIT TO TE NGUTU-O-TE-MANU AND TO WERE- WERE.

OPENING OF THE NEW MEETINGHOUSE.

(BY OUR SPECIAL REPOETER.) On Sunday rooming Inspector Pardy, with Mr. W. Carrington, police interpreter, ami accompanied by Constables Day and Tupp, rode out to Okaiawa to interview Titokowaru and Te Whetu, who were reported as coining down the coast with a large body of natives. Tito bad not reached Were-were when the party arrived at Okaiawa, and a visit was therefore paid to Te Ngulu-o-te-Manu, the site ot the disastrous fight where the brave Yon Tempsky fell. A settler who lives just opposite to the gate of what is now the Te Ngutu publio domain, kindly undertook to point oat to the visitors the points of interest. They are not many, but the rata tree from the branches of which the natives poured down their deadly fire upon the white assailants, and the cross erected upon the spot where Yon Tempske^. fell, were viewed with great interesUrThe rata tree has uufortunately been lulled by fire, but is still standing, and the marks of the bullets that struck it are still plainly visible. Most of the bullets themselves, however, which were withla reach, have been cut out and carried off aa mementoes. The cross consists merely of two pieces of fern tree vailed together, and the horizontal piece bad fallen to the ground. The opinion was expressed that the Domain Board might judiciously lay out the first sum of money at its command in erecting a more lasting structure upon this memorable spot. The domain is a pretty place, and may easily bs made very beautiful in time by judicious' tree-planting. Mr. Pardy then turned his horse's head to words Were- were, and the party arrived there just as the feast, to celebrate the opening of the new meeting-house, was about to commence. They were all invited to partake, and Mr. Pardy was placed in the seat of honor, at the head of the table, with Titokowaru at his right band, and the European visitors as supporters. The meeting- house is a large one, of three rooms and a passage, built entirely in the style of a modern European dwelling-house, with verandah and all complete. The two front rooms were laid out for feasting with two long tables in each, covered with snowy table-cloth, and laden with all manner of dainties. Goose, pork, and potatoes were the substantial portions of the repast, bat on ! each table were wedding cakes, properly iced over, whilst plum podding, cakes, biscuits, and all varieties of sweets were also providtd. Alcoholic liquors were forbidden, but tea was served to everyone. There was no speech -making, and the passing round of a plate enabled the visitors to acknowledge the hospitality of the natives in a substantial manner. Whilst this was in progress, Te Whetu entered the room, and shook hands in a cerdial manner with Messrs. Pardy and Carrington, welcoming them to the feast. Titokowaru, as lately mentioned in these "columns, is not looking at all well, and has fallen off in flesh a great deal. After the feast, Mr. Pardy retired for a conference with Te Whetu, but the interview was, of course, private. Your reporter, piloted by Mr. R. O. Hendy, paid a visit to the large wharf* in which many of the visitors were resting. There appeared to be from 300 to 400 of them, and, as it was raining beavily at the time, they were compelled to stay under shelter, and to amase themselves as best tbey could. Many of them appeared to be very tired, and were quietly resting after their journey.

A visit was aho paid to the kitchen, which forms the third room of the meeting house, aad is fitted up with a brick obiuiner and colonial oren. There were piles of cooked meat and pastry here, ready to be served to the native visitors who replace one another in relays at tbe tables all day long. As tbe feast will not conclude before this (Monday) evening, the quantity of food required is very large.

One enterprising native was all this time doing a roaring business with an " under and over " table, tbe stakes being limited to one penny. A " bird on the wing " was also provided lor the amusement of the natives, but tho rain put a stop to this diversion. Tbe interview between Mr. Pardy and Te Whetu having concluded, the party from Hawera left for borne. Tbe result of tbe interview is not known, but there was certainly no Bullenness visible amongst tbe natives assembled at Werewere. That tbey have grievances in connection with the management of their reserves must be evident to every reasonable man who thinks on tbe subject at all, and it is possible that they may continue from time to time to draw public attention to tbe fact in tbeir own peculiar way. But there is at present not the least indication of anything further. At Pungarehu everything is quiet, and nothing was known there on Saturday of any interference with European occupation.

Sergeants Anderson and Donovan, with a few constables, had been left behind at Mokoia on Saturday, to watch whether any fresh attempt at molestation would be made, but there was nothing of the sort, and they returned to Hawera by railway in tbe evening.

The polioo will keep on the alert until tbe natives now at Were- wore bave got past Mokoia and Manutahi, on tbeir way to Patea. They will probably leave Were- were ou Tuesday morning, and reach Tniporohenui the same day. They will, no doubt, remain there a day or so, and then march through Hawera on their way south. Whether they will stop at either the Mokoia or Manutabi pah, is not yet known.