OPUNAKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 683, 24 April 1879, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

April 19. Mr. Mackay, Captain Blake, and your reporter, left New Plymouth on Tuesday afternoon for Parihaka, which wa3 reached at 10 o'clock next morning. It was palpable that m the native mind the visit was all-important, fully GOO of the Taranaki, Ngahiruamu, and Ngatiawa tribes being assembled. Mr. Mackay was received" on all sides with the salutations, Hercmai, heremai-— "Come, you are welcome." Even the children clapped their hands and shouted his name. The time of meeting having arrived, Te Whiti sent for Mr. Mackaj', who was accommodated with a seat close to the terrace, on which were \\\q speakers. The natives were all dressed m new finery, and Te Whiti, who is generally slovenly m appearance, had a now shawl over him. He- spoke for

over two hours m a vigorous strain, aud his peroration was delivered without the slightest sign or fatigue. The burden of his discourse was a pressing desire to preserve peace. He stood up, he said, to preserve right between both races, to protect the widows and orphans, and if they followed his counsel not a hair of their heads should be lost. His sun had been obscured, but now he would stand before them as the preserver of peace. Self-laudation is a favorite theme with Te Whiti, and he continually referred to what he had done for the Maoris, but his similes were so allegorical, and partook so largely of Scripture quotation, that not one half present could divine his meaning. He prognosticated that there would be no fighting m his day* and stated that he took credit for his prophecies, which were divulged to him by a superior power. Silver and gold might be broken. His sword was his tongue, and if they rose against him they could not reason with the wisdom of his tongue. He was an advocate of peace, and if they kept quiet no harm would befall them. There would be no fighting. John, another chief of the Taranaki tribe, asked those who had ears to listen to what was said to-day. The Government finished their difficulty with the sword ; Te Whiti would finish his with his tongue. If he had done wrong, laugh at him and turn to the Government. The King, Tawhiao, had finished his difficulties by throwing over the Maories. Food was then brought m, and Mr. Mackay, not to disturb them at mealtime, deferred his horero until next day. Hiroki, who at all times had one of his body protectors; with him," assisted m placing the food. Titokowaru with his tribe occupied a prominent place m the assembly. , Your correspondent had a private conversation with Te Whiti m the evening. ,Te "JVhiti eulogised Mr. Mackay as a shrewd and just diplomatist, one who talked so that he could be understood, arid was careful m his speech. Te Whiti is a straight- built man, .\yith a -rather feminine. . Although Only 48,. tys grey beard makes himj'look older. He seems to have. o*ead a good deal. He inquired whether it was true that a race of men with tails had been He also asked what the "papers of the Europeans said, about him aiyThis people, tfnd whether ii'was true '■ that troops, had ., beenorought frpm Otago. He makes himself very humble among his people, and has a great fondness for his pig, which, he feeds himself. He come to the settlement before the war, and has never since been out of it. At 9 o'clock on the following morning Mr. Mackay was sent for, and addressing the natives he said that the previous day was T e WhitiVday, but tßkt one was his. What was said the previous day was g O0 d, and he now wished his words to convey what was go.od. They desired peace and plenty, and he would show them the way to get both. He then pro ce eded to explain to' them about the land whicli had been confiscated, and staged that some of the natives were not satisfied about the issue of Crown grants f or the land. It would be carefully c on gid ere (l w hat they woro on titled to, and their Crown grants would be given to them. They should not be obstinate with the Government, as tlie Government did not wish to be hard upon- them. He thought the wisest course would be to have a commission of inquiry to decide these claims, and bring peace to the country. He was prepared to propose this to Mri Sheehan, to whom he had explained what took place between them (Mr. Mackay and the natives) when they last met. , He urged them to think carefully for themselves, even if they were vexed about anything. He urged them to ponder over what he said. He waited to treat them m a straightforward, Way. He thought he had done rioht' arid jiist to his own race and theirs. His words were for peace and quietness' between them and the Europeans throughout the colony. Tahu asked the-meeting to pay attention to himj for. the powers of the Government had <cU&d, and he was '•master of both races. ' He knew from divers sources that a disturbance could not occur. Mr Mackay had gone away : and returned with the same opinion, therefore he (Tahu) must govern. The Government and Tawhiao had created all the disturbance. The European laws had failed and were cursed. Mr Mackay asked them to talk coolly < without being vexed. His remark about the commission seemed to give general satisfaction but^e Whiti was annoyed, as he was afraid of his settlement being broekn up by the other tribes returning. [He - made a long harangue, but it was so full of metaphors and self-praise that no one could understand it. He repeatedly tried to keep Mr Mapkay from speaking, but the latter, much to' the Amusement of those pteteftit, fp^rsijstedun;, doing so. The horero ws\ probably r .e>nd on Saturday, When Mr Mackay will return to : New Plymouth. NEW PLYMOUTH. April 20. The Parihaka meeting is over, and Mr Mackay has returned.: No definite settlemen twas come to, but large numbers of the natives approve of the proposal of a commission, but Te Whiti fears it would shake his influence. If he remains obstinate, secessions from his party are probable. The natives are now discussing the matter amongst themselves.