THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2608, 14 May 1869, Page 3

THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

(From the Southern Cross, May 1.) It appears that only two Europeans were permitted to be present, namely, Mr Searancke, the Hesideat Magistrate at Hamilton, and Louis Hettit. Some Europeans, however, living beyond Alexandra, did their utmost to prevent Mr Searancke’s presence at the meeting, and it was only by the express order of Tamati Ngapora that he was at length permitted to proceed from Orohanga (Louis Hettit’s) to Hangatiki. The particulars with regard to the reception of the friendly natives under Te Wheoro are substantially the same as those given in telegrams published in this journal, together with the letter of our own correspondent at Alexandra. The Waikato and the Ngatimaniapotos, who were present tp the number of 1700, besides nearly 1000 women and children, danced a war dance and fired off their guns in one volley, but the friendlies declined to follow their example. The King natives were all well armed with double and single barrelled guns, but they appeared to be short of ammunition. They were mostly well clothed in European attire, and were clean and orderly in their appearance. There was nearly 500 children present at Hangatiki, and the fewness of females as compared with males was very remarkable. The Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto tribes appeared to regard each other with a great deal of jealousy and suspicion, and it was pretty apparent from what transpired that the common bond of union is simply fear of the pakefaa, and that the slightest circumstance may serve to disunite them, if not throw them into actual hostility. The King is jealously watched, and even Rewi was precluded from conversing with any degree of freedom with the European guests—so closely were all his movements watched. Tawhiaoit is said will not see any European except Louis Hettit, and Bewi has stated that if any white man attempts to penetrate into the King’s territory, with the object of prying into their condition he will be stripped and detained until his curiosity is well gratified, because they say all the Europeans must be well aware of the fact that they are forbidden to cross the boundary of the confiscated block. There is reason to believe, however, from several things that transpired during the meeting, that the aukati is not generally popular amongst the natives, many of whom would be glad to see it abolished. The Hau-haus made noattempt to disguise their object in inviting the friendlies to meet them, being to endeavour to induce them to join the King party, leaving the Europeans to fight their own battles. Indeed, at the meeting, one of the principal Hau-bau speakers made a long speech urging Te Wheoro to “ come into the interior,” and live under the jurisdiction of Tawhiao instead of the Queen. Te Wheoro replied in a firm straightforward manner. He said he was already in the interior, and would go no further. He would never abandon the Europeans, nor the land on which his fathers had dwelt —never, never. His speech seemed to make considerable impression on the Haiibaus, and for some time after he ceased speaking there was a profound silence. The remaining speeches were of a very commonplace character, consisting for most parts of a few words of welcome followed by a song. Wiremu Hunia, the King’s Secretary, read Tawhiao’s proclamation to the meeting, which immediately after broke up. Our readers will remember that we have already published one version of the proclamation, and which was telegraphed to us by our own correspondent at Alexandra, to whom it was given from memory by certain trustworthy natives. The following version, however, is a literal copy of the one read, having been made with the consent of Wiremu Hunia:— “He niu katorooa kinga tangata katoa.

“ Ko te patu a te tangata a te whenua me mutu. “ Ko te patua a te tangata i te tangata koti. “ £0 te maul kite maai, ko te matau kite matau. “ Na Tawhiao. “ 1 mea Hangatiki wahio te Kuiti, “ 26 Aperira, 1869." [Translation.] “ -A- proclamation to be sent to all the tribes. “ 1- All interference by people in land, let it cease. “ 2. Fighting or quarrelling amongst the people, let it end or stop. “ 3. The left hand to the left hand, and the right hand to the right hand. “ By order of “ Tawhiao. “ Hangatiki, a portion of Te Kuiti. “ April 26th, 1869." Before the meeting broke up intelligence was received of the expedition into the Taupo country, and there was great excitement amongst the natives. The Europeans did not, however, remain long enough to ascertain the ultimate effect produced by the intelligence. The quiet and orderly demeanour of the whole of the natives during the meeting was very marked. It was observed, too, that the Hauhau rites have been much modified, much of the formerabsurdity having been abolished. The services took place in a building, and not in the open air, as formerly was the case. Eeihana had been invited to be present, but instead of attending the meeting he went off to Mokau, where it is said the White Cliffs murderers reside under the King’s displeasure.