ALEXANDRA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 690, 8 May 1879, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

# ; Mays. The Premier and party arrived here on Friday, changing the steamer on the journey, in consequence of the small draught •of water. The Premier and Native Minister were warmly welcomed by several hundred natives, who cheered their arrival vociferuosly.- The story that Tawhaio did not desire to meet Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan, the natives say was only a fabrication. They sent a war canoe down on Friday for the purpose of conveying the Ministerial party to Kopua. A large number of visitors have, not yet crossed the river, the Ngapuhi especially, and hence tho distribution of food has not yet taken place. It is rumoured that Rewi and his people have been detached from the King party, and all attempts have been made both by natives and Europeans to prevent the Kingites receiving the Ministers. The name at least of one of the parties is known to the Government. The evidence of their willingness to receive the Premier and th e Native Minister can be deducted from the fact that their meat, killed some days since, is high in odour, and the condition of the land shark element is strong. From the best authority I hear that there are not more than 3,500 people assembled. The town, meantime, is crowded to overflowing, beds being a thing not to be dreamt of. The canards in circulation, detailing the intention of Tawhaio and Rewi, are without foundation. What the natives intend doing no one but themselves can declare, though the.atmospere here is thick with native rumour, each man having a fresh Btory to tell. The most significant feature of the future amicable relations between the two races lies in the fact of the Kingites commencing to grow large quantities of wheat for aaie, and the effect of this cultivation cannot well be over-estimated. I hear an opinion freely expressed among the people that, if they choose to live alone on their estates, they can do so, no matter how large they may be, and they quote the English land tenure and extensive individual population as a convincing proof of the legality of such action. Major Te Wheoro comes down to take the party up, with two more war canoes, and they start about ten, baving twohours to go. Jackson and S.arauke are camped at Kopua. LATER. The Ministerial party left Alexandra in canoes about half-oast nine, and arrived at the landing place at Kopua about half-past two, distance about 10 miles. At the landing place it is only a narrow but deep stream, and there were only two canoes, but they arrived with about 90 people. On the party arriving, the banks were lined with Maoris and Europeans, who welcomed the Premier and Native Minister heartily ; about 300 were assembled. The party then landed, with the Premier and Native Minister in front. Some 60 men stood in line, armed with double-barrelled guns, which they discharged as a salute ; they then turned, and the party went through a fence standing on the on* sidej to Bhow the Itemier and the Native Minister the precedence of entry.

Inside the fence was formed a square 200 yards in dimension, having Maori walls. An opening was left on the side of our ingress for us to fill. The Premier and party filled the opening, and an armed guard on its left hand ; in the rear the people who were on the beach to give welcome were struggling over the ground. It was known that no business would be transacted to-day save the ordinary salutations. Of course the Ngapuhis were the main and most interesting guests as it is some 45 or 50 years since the Ngapuhis came down and killed some 3000 Waikatos at a pa only about a mile from Alexandra. The Ngapuhis were armed with guns, which the Waikatos had scarcely yet heard of, and in consequence few escaped,, who were. nob made prisoners, and either eaten or taken to the f£ay of Islands. After standing silent some ten minutes, one of the Ngapuhis (a descended of Hone Heke, the celebrated Ngapuhi chieftain) came forward, and addressed the people, telling them who he was and that he had accompanied the Premier and Native Minister to see them ; then the different tribes forming square through their representatives seriatin gave welcome to the guests. The salutations were cordial and sincere. Then the Premier and party were led to the house appointed for their entertainment. The Premier and Native Minister are the guests of Rewi, so, therefore the King could not see them until introduced by them. The Kingites sent the party a large supply of food.