THE NATIVE MINISTER AT THE EAST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9016, 31 March 1888, Page 5

THE NATIVE MINISTER AT THE EAST COAST.

OPENING OF MAJOR ROPATA'S

CARVED HOUSE.

LARGE NATIVE MEETING.

The Hon. E. Mitchelson, Native Minister and Minister of Public Works, arrived in Auckland at about one o'clock yesterday morning, after attending a large native gathering assembled at Waiomatatini, near Awanui, for the purpose of taking part in the formal opening of a large carved Maori house erected by the NgatipOrou tribe. The ceremony took place on the 28th inst., and there was an assemblage of about 2000 natives.

This house is a most remarkable structure, anil has taken over ten years to carve and erect. It is 60 to 70 foet in length by 40 feet in width, and contains many magnificent carvings after the Maori or aboriginal design. The ridge-pole has been cut out of one magnificent totara tree, and some idea of the capacity of tho building may be gathered from the fact that over 800 natives assembled in it at a time during the meeting. The carvings are decidedly unique, each carving representing an ancestor of the Ngatiporou, several of whom are represented as grasping and proceeding to devour children who are fastened something like themselves. What this represents is not exactly known, unless it may be to show the cannibal propensities of the respected progenitors of the gatiporou tribe. Tho Hon. the Native Minister, who was accompanied by Mr. Lewis, Under-Secre-tary of the Native Department, Mr. Butler, interpreter, Mr. Graham, M.H.R. for the district, and several other gontlemen, was received af'..er the Maori fashion by a series of hale as performed by 500 or 600 young men and women, the latter being dressed in the most approved European style of dress, with a considerable extension of the bustle protuberance. The Ngatiporou pride themselves on performances ot this kind, and the various dances, it must be admitted, were performed in admirable time, and without the slightest approach to the indecency of gesture which has made exhibitions of the haka so offensive to many. As already stated, the gathering was very large, over '2000 natives being present, and it to also thoroughly representative of the East Coast natives. Amongst those present were several notable chiefs, including Mokena Kohere and Wi Kiriwiti, both old and infirm, Rev. Mohi Tuirei, Te Pokiha, Wiremu Kingi, of Opotiki, and many other chiefs of high rank. On the conclusion of the hakas an address of welcome was read by Major Ropata to the Native Minister, and following on this a number of the chiefs present, including those named above, came forward ana shook hands with the lion. Mr. Mitchclson and his party, and after this they were led to the carved house and duly admired its capacity, the unique character and excellence of the carvings.

An important meeting then followed, at which several speeches of welcome were made, each chief expressing gratification at the visit of the lion. Native Minister. The main subject of discussion was opened in a clever and able address (in Maori) by Mr. Carroll, M.H.R. for the Eastern Maori district, who at considerable length dwelt on the necessity /or passing legislation which would relievo the Maories from the grievances under which they suffered in respect of their lands. His idea was that the Native Lands Administration Act should be repealed and a more simple law passed. Other speakers followed in the same strain, the principal speakers being; the Rev. Molii Tuirci, Te Pokiha, Te Tira (of Hawkc's Kay), and Tuta Nihoniho. The Hon. Mr. Mitchkl/SON', in reply, promised that he and his colleagues would give the subjects brought before him very earnest consideration. A message he had just received from Capt. Fairchilcl intimated that owing ro the threatening state of the weather it would be necessary to get on board the Stella as quickly as possible, and this would prevent him from staying as long as he could wish, but he briefly sketched the intentions of the Government with regard to native legislation, which would be in the direction of pressing on individuality of title, and allowing the natives the same privileges as the European subjects of Her Majesty in New Zealand of dealing with their lands. As he was unable to remain now he promised the natives that the fullest consideration would be given by the Government to [the wishes and the resolutions of the meeting, which could be convoyed to him by Major Ropataand Mr. Carroll, their member.

The Hon. Mr. Mitchelson's speech was loudly cheered, and appeared to give great satisfaction to the natives.

At Major Ropata's urgent request, Mr. Mitchclson and his party stayed to dine, and witness a war dance got up in his honour. The dance had rather a startling effect, for before the natives, over 100 in number, sprung to their feet to dance they all discharged their rifles. By the time the dance concluded the weather had become very threatening, and the Native Minister and his party returned to Awanui, and embarked on board the Stella. They were fortunate in escaping the severe gale, which it was evident from the big seas was blowing in the South. The Stella sheltered for a short time at Hicks' Bay, and lay-to under White Island for a short time, but at length, after a rather rough passage, she arrived at the Railway Wharf, Auckland harbour, shortly after one o'clock on Friday morning.