AUCKLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume I, Issue 41, 18 March 1865, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

[From the Otago Daily Times.}

A very important native meeting has recently taken place m the Thames district, to discuss the question of war or peace, and was attended by about 1200 natives from the Thames and Coromandel, with a i'ew Ngatiporou fugitives from the East Coast, and about fifty of the Pai Marire fanatics. The most influential chiefs m attendance wove — Tarniji (the last of 1 the cannibals) : Ritahi te Tanewha, Patene Puhata, Moananui, Kawiii to *Ua, Xgakapa Whanaunga, Haira Tita, Pita Tankaka, Tamati te Octatu, and several others. Mr. J. Mnckay, jun., civil commissioner for the district, was also present. The meeting commenced on the Bth ultimo, at Kanaeranga, on the mouth of the Thames, the former mission station of the Rev. Mr. La-fear, and lasted until the loth. There was, of course, as is usual at such gatherings, a great aniouut of feasting during the meeting — many of the natives who had come from a distance having brought large supplies of food with them; and the fines and fees, and other legal spoil of the native courts of judicature, were expended b} r the sanction of the assessors m flour, sugar, and other necessaries. The entire proceedings were conducted m the most orderly manner, and when the question of peace or war came on for discussion, a line was drawn on the ground dividing the assembly, and the natives were requested to declare on which side they would choose to appear. The whole of the natives, with the exception of four, chose the peace side, and the four for war may also be said to be peacefully inclined, as they said that so long as William Thompson remained at peace they would remain quiet, but that as soon as he left for war they would follow him. The resolution of the natives appeared to be, that on no account would they leave their own district to join m any war against the Europeans, but if the troops ventured into the Thames district to attack them, then they would fight- — not otherwise. The correspondent of the Cross, speaking of the meeting, says : — One point of some importance gained, was the abject submission of the old chief Taraia, who has given more trouble and anxiety to the authorities during this crisis than any other chief m the Thames district. Taraia laid himself at full length on the ground before the civil commissioner m token of submission. The influential chief Ngakapa Whanaunga, who led the rebellious portion of the Thames natives, expressed his determination to abide by law m future. He handed over to Mr. Mackay the dogskin mat sent by Wi Tako to William Thompson, as a robe for the Maori king. This dogskin mat played a very important part m the election of Potatau the First; and it is said, and I believe with truth, that it was fringed with foreign fur, supplied by a gentleman who has held the highest Executive office m the province of Wellington for years past. The mat is now without the fur, having passed through several hands beibre being laid at the feet of the Civil Commissioner, m token of its possessor's submission to the Queen. Win. Thompson presented the mat from Wi Tako to the King elect, who gave it to Wetini Taiporutu, who was killed during the first Taranaki war, I believe m the assault on No. 4 redoubt, Wetini leading the Waikatoa on that occasion. On the death of Wemi, the mat reverted to Ngakapa Whanaunga, who, on the breaking out of the war m Waikato, joined the rebels to avenge his kinsman's death. Ngakapa was some time ago a decided war advocate, and openly expressed himself that, as soon as the war began m tho country, he would join- in the fighting. He now says that he has lost his land m Waikato, and is content that this should be so ; but that he will not bring war into his own district. Ngakapa is for peace, therefore, because he finds war a losing game, and this is, perhaps, the best guarantee one could have of his loyalty. The Pai Marire fanatics were told plainly by Mr. Mackay that if any transgressed the law the offender would be arrested, tried, and punished. They expressed their intention of reinaining m their own district m preference to departing for Wanganui. The meeting* passed resolutions restricting the sale of spirits, and also with regard to cattle trespass and branding. They also consented to permit a prospecting party to go over the Thames district, and should a payable goldfield be found, will make terms with "Government for working' it.