NATIVE AFFAIRS IN WAIKATO.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5552, 14 January 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS IN WAIKATO.

(per press agency.) Alexandra, Monday.

At the continuation of the native meeting at Kopua, Marino, of the Ngtimaniopoto, followed much in the same strain as Hauhauru. He asked them to take no notice of Rewi’s doings, but to stick under Tawhiao, who was the head of all, and not to be divided. He had joined.the King movement from the commencement, and to that tree he would stand. If it did fall he should go and look for some other tree, not before. All the Ngatimanio-. potos speaking having blamed themselves for the trouble brought on the land by their first having joined in the King movement, Muku Wherua (chief of Todd’s murderers) said it is not Ngatimaniopoto alone who have committed crimes ; Waikato are to blame in that respect also. Tupotahi then brought on the question of removing half-castes off their lands. He referred to James Thompson, who had broken their laws by causing the arrest by a pakeha policeman of a Maori for stealing his plough, when Maru was locked up in gaol at Alexandra. Nuku said: “ That is my crime. They both belong to Waikato. I will remove them from Kopua to Hikurangi.” Several other questions were discussed, but not of general interest. Manga did not attend; he wished to bring Sheehan with him, which the natives would not agree to. Finding that Rewi would not attend without him, the question was referred to Manuhiri, who replied : “We do not want to see the Native Minister present; we can say whati we have to say to him in March next at Grey’s meeting, but if Rewi will not come without Sheehau, go and tell him he can bring him if he likes, but we do notrrequire him.” This invitation, after consultation with Major Kemp and the natives, it was concluded the Native Minister could not accept; hence his non-appearance, although some fourteen horses had been provided to convey him and his staff to Kopua. The meetings were unanimous that the mana of the lands and the people should join with Tawhiao, he alone to have jurisdiction regarding roads, &c. It is rather a strange coincidence, but hardly a single Kingite native came into Alexandra during the Native Minister’s visit, to see him, with the exception of Manga, if he now be called one ; not even a native looking for a present. Tapihana, Pikiha, and Hakeha, calling themselves Kupapas, only accepted. The Native Minister and staff left Alexandra for TTamiltnn on Friday morning at 4 o’clock, Rewi shortly afterwards proceeding to knack up Major Mair for a friendly interview, which he had no chance of doing without remaining to breakfast. Speeches are in the papers that he made while in Alexandra, but as they took place in a private room upstairs at the Alexandra Hotel your agent could not be present without intrusion.