THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 75, 28 March 1879, Page 2

THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

(Auckland Star.) Pabihaka, Friday. A large meeting of the natives is congregated to welcome Mr Sheehan, the "Tahipa," to the Kainga. It rained almost from the time he left Opunake until his arrival. All bis followers and the Native Minister himself got thoroughly drenched. He drove into the centre of the village and gave the people a general greeting. Mr Sheehau then crossed the creek, and came to a whare provided for the Government by Te Whiti Major Brown, Mr Lewis, Mr Williams, your agent, and several others were present. Te Whiti was much pleased at Mr Sheehan's arrival. He considered it a concession to his mana, while the Native Minister states that he makes this concession to increase the power of the peace party on the coast, lest Te Whiti and his confreres should throw their influence into the scale of the recalcitrant, on the West Coast faction. At half-past nine the Native Minister and party went to Marae where a large party of natives assembled, but not quite as large as on the previous Monday, though nearly as numerous. The tidings of his being expected kept the people together. The Kobebo. After a short interval •' Tohu " arose and said the 18th day of the month was the ordinary time for their meetings, but the 18th had passed and this was only a supplementary meeting. After a short interval Major Brown arose, and with a fluent tongue and happy manner, spoke as follows:—" Te Whiti aod your people, greetings. The

NatlVc Mihistci. hafc cdriib trj see yoii, blear what you have to say, and correct any wrong impression that you may have arrived at from reports, which are often wrong, that may have reached you. Such reports travel to and fro until what was originally no bigger than a mau's head becomes as large as Mount Egniont, which is now looking down upon us. The Native Minister therefore says : Do not believe anything Imputed to him unless you hear It from his lip 8; and he will believe nothing as botuihg ftom you that you do not tell him voiiteelf; . Then Te Whiti arose and stated that he had spoken all be bad to say at the.. present meeting, and would say nothing more until after the feeding. Then .another delay took place awaiting the production of fdod, during which we sat (squatted) on the ground, waiting with the multitude in accordance with Maori etiquette, Distribution op Food. Then the Native Minister and his party were shifted further back in the matae, fern leaves Were spread on the gtoufad, and a huge mound of food piled theretipoh with huge pots to eat from, strings, bags, and pannikins, sufficient in number for all the people. Turi of Ngatiruanui, stepped up and declared that food for the meeting was prepared and placed. Then the distribution took place. A pofc of tea, a kit of bread, accompanied by sufficient pork to have lasted lis a week were placed before us, and five or six stalwatt men provided with knives commended cutting up the meat and a general distribution took place: Thete were 3,000 pannikins ptddused for the guests and residents. It was half-past eleven when the food was dictributed and the impartiality of distribution was all that could be desired. The Korero Resumed. After the meal and the place where the food had been were cleared the people drew nearer together, but the middle portion of the square was kept clear. Te Whiti then arose and said : " If you, the Native Minister, have any special reason for coming here state it, as the greetings are over. Mr SSeehan's Speech. Then the Native Minister went into the clear place, and after greeting all the people said what may be thus summarised, " Salutations to you, Te Whiti. and to your people and your guests from all part 3of this island. You have asked me whether I have come merely to meet you and discuss any questions of importance. I will tell you my reasonsonly my respect for yourself as a man who has for yearß guided his people iv the paths of peace, and that I might show to Europeans that the stories published in the newspapers about the unfriendly attitude of jthe people under your direction, were without foundation. These are my reasons for coming. As I am here, I am quite willing to talk with you and your people about any matter in which;you take any interest. If these matters are mentioned, I wiil talk about them with you, so that we may discover a means of removing any evils that may exist and converse together to promote the happiness of both races. Te Wiiiti's Reply. Te Whiti then stood up and said the meeting held on the 18th was the proper time for such discussion. He thought that the Minister had something to say ; that he was not responsible for the reports that were put in circulation, aud that the newspaper people were not his people, and then sat down. The Native Minister asked Te Whiti to repeat what he had said on the 18th for his information. The reply was that the 18th had gone, and what he bad said had become public property. He should not again state what be then uttered. The Native Minister replied that this was a Maori Parliament, Te Whiti's own in fact, and he having the power of its conduct should regulate its proceedings. Te Whiti replied that the parliament was shut. Other people might be ignorant of what he had said on the 18th ; but Mr Sheeban certainly was hot. The Native Minister said he wanted a distinct answer as to what he said. If Te Whiti had anything more to say he would fisr any time to-morrow to hear it. Tbe remainder of the day and night will be devoted to amusement and to idle talk. It was a trial of skill in fencing throughout, the prophet apparently wishing to show his followers that he could hold his own against an educated pakeha. Among3t some sections of the people dissatisfaction was expressed that the pro sence of tbe Native Minister was not taken advantage of to discuss the questions that are of interest to the people. There will probably be further talk to morrow.