LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 38, 12 May 1869, Page 7

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

MB. SEARANCKE RETURNED. Alexandra, April 28, 12, p.m. Mr. Seavancko, who attended on behalf of the Government, has returned from the King meeting. He and tho friendly natives were well received. Of tho natives present full 1,700 belonged to tho Ngatimaniapoto and Waikato tribes. The friendly natives ■were highly pleased with their reception. Rewi Ngatimaniapoto and Kereopa were both present. Tho only Europeans permitted to bo present were Mr. Searancke and M. Louis Hetit. Amongst tho speakers wnsTawhaio, tho King. He expressed tho most friendly feeling for the Europeans, and the manner of his speaking, even more than the words, gave evidence of his sincerity. All the speeches, indeed, were of a pacific character, nor did any ono of them contain remarks hostile or offensive to Europeans. Hamilton, April 28, 1, p.m. Wi Thompson's leases are to be respected. The mooting of tho Kiug natives requested that a message might bo sent to Mr. Williams, telling him that Tamihuna's leases are not to be interfered with, and also telling him to return at once and re-occupy Mr. Firth's run. Thero was a general acquiescence in this arrangement. Mr. Williams goes to Mr. Firth's run to-day. [From the Southern Cross, April 29.] Newcastle, April 28. The great native meeting concluded on Monday. There woro about 1,200 Hau-huus present, besides friendly natives. Rowi and Tapihana were the prinoipal speakers on tho side of tho Hau-haus. Thoy stated that they desired peace in the Waikato district. Also that they will restrain auy attempt to bring on a war here. Thoy say To Ohowapu and^ other chiefs were welcome to fight when and where they thought proper, ■with tho exception of Waikato, which must be kept tranquil. Tho following speech of the King was read from the throne to the assembled natives by Wiremu Hunia (William, jun.), the King's secretary : — " Hangatiki, District of Te Kuiti. " Tui ka torana [a salutation adopted by the Maori King to tho natives, the literal translation of which is, we believe, 'Standing on tho throne.'] To all tribes : Let men ceaso killing men on account of land. Let men cease killing men. Lot the left hand be the left hand ; let the right hand bo tho right hand [i.e., let things remain in their normal position]. " Given by Tawhiao, on the 26th day of April, 1869." Another telegram was received in town yesterday, stating that Mr. Searancke, tho Resident Magistrate at Hamilton, had returned from Hangatiki on Monday. The telegram states that he was very hospitably received at Hangatiki, where ho saw and conversed with Rowi and several other leading chiefs of tho Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto tribes, all of whom expressed their desire, both in conversation and at the meeting, to maintain peace in the Waikato. Indeed, some of the leading ohiefs expressed their strong determination to put down by force any attempt of the turbulont party to bring about a war. The telegram also corroborates the ono received by ourselves as to the pacific character of the speeches delivered by the principal speakers. It further states that the total number of natives present was about 1,700 and that not a single word was nttered by any of the natives during the proceedings which could givo often co to the Europeans. Tho friendly natives who went up to tho meeting from various parts of tho Waikato and elsewhere are well pleased with the reoeption by the King party, and are returning to their homes. The Alexandra correspondent of the same paper, writing on April 27, says :— The nativo meeting came off yesterday. The proceedings commenced with a war dance by all the Hau*haus and friendlies. Tho Hau-haus numbered about 1,200 men. The only speakers of any importance were Rewi, Ngatimaniapoto, and Te Tapihana. Rewi expressed his desiro for peace in the Waikato. If Tito Kowaru or any other natives attempted fighting here, ho would prevent it ; also, ho would restrain (?) any of Ins people from pausing trouble in tho Wnikato. Ho wurned tho friendly natives against seeking any quarrels, but to remain as they had hithorto dono— perfoctly neutral. Ho, with all tho other speakors on his side, called upon the friendlies to join their relatives with Tawhiao. Tapihana followed his leader to the same tune. To Wheoro, in answering, spoke out manfully. He told them they did not speak tho truth ; that thoy had not followed tho last wishes of their matua, old To Wherowhero, or Potatau, who wished them to remain at peaco and on friendly terms with tho Europeans; that they had fought and killed and ■were still lighting and killing Europeans; that he had come to sco them at their request ; and should again return to Ins pakehas, and fulfil the wishes of their matua by living amongst them on friendly terms. Nono of the other speeches were of any importance, being merely the usual compliments expressed to visitors. t The King was hardly seen by any one on tho arrival of the friendlies at Hangatiki. On Saturday he camo out, but was so surrounded by his guard of Ngatimaniapoto, numbering about 400 or 500 men, that he could not bo seen. His voice, however, could bo heard welcoming tho Itui, which he did in a very few words ; when thoy again escorted him to hi's house. I have sent you a telegram with the King's word (which appeared yesterday), which is the most important part of the meeting, in Maori idea, being news from tho throne. It was not taken down verbatim as read by William Hunia, but was given me by a nativo who lias, I know, a most retentive memory. Several natives to whom I submitted it, who were present at the meeting, vouched for its correctness. The friendlies were to leave nangatiki to-day, but as it has been pouring rain since morning, and is still ooming down, I expect they Mill wait a while. Mr. Scwaucke went up on Sunday, but nothing

was done but holding Divine eervico by theKupapas, and the Hauhaus having their religious ceremonies. Mr. Searancke was up yesterday, but took no part in the talking ; he returned here to-day. So ends tho loud-talked of meeting, which, for all I can Bee, will have no more effect on our present relations with the Maoris than supposing there had beeu no native meeting at all.