The Native Meeting.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3195, 16 May 1879, Page 2

The Native Meeting.

Yesterday's Proceeding's.

(Pjbu Special Repoetee to Pbess Agency )

TE KOPUA. Via Alexandra, Thursday,

The Maori meeting terminated to day. Kewi goes to Punui to-morrow. Tawhiao's adherents return to Hikurangi.

la bidding Rewi good-bye at his tent this evening, Rewi remarked, "Do you go away satisfied."

Reporter : " Yes, very greatly pleased with your straightforward conduct, but regretful that Tawhiao's, people , have not made any definite arrangement."

Rewi : "It will be made definite at Punui ■■" (at Kihikibi). : - :

Presumably this refers to a final meeting with the Native Minister to-morrow. During, a discussion by ■•■the Kingites to-day, when some inflammatory speeches were made, Eewi continually walked away to his own place. ': With reference to the deed produced by Eewi, which caused such consternation ou Tuesday, it is drawn up in Jackson's .handwriting, and dated November, 1835. It is a lease by certain natives to William Jackson, Major of the Forest Rangers, of Waikato. The boundaries of the blocks commence at the Punui river,■ and "Van round the south side "of Eakapuke f;j a point in the Kangioto ranges,! and run along Rangioto ranges. The area' is thirty miles by thirty-five. The terms of the lease a.'c twenty-one years, and the rental fifty pounds annually. A clause binds the natives not sell to any one but Jacksou during the term of the lease. The deed is signed by three natives and Witnessed by two others. The rent was, to begin in January, IVI6. It is believeda considerable sum was advanced. The! seal bears the signature of Thomas Buddie nolary public, Auckland. /; $: ■ ; ,

Jackson's own version is that Hauaru; and two or three others came to him, and offered a lease at a rental of £100, im-; pi'ovementa during the leasehold to be: compensated. f Afterwards ' 'he heard; ifewi .•' had a; claim, for ; four ' thousand 1 acres in the blocks Jaeksori'saw Hauaru! and accused him of unfair dealing, tore' up the deed,, and claimed restoration of the amount advanced. Jackson also says he rode over the block, arid i^ took him .three days v He disclaims any existing! iatereitiin.it. „,,,:. <i. ;r< . , ; ,. .-.;,.',.., -.• ■'

•■ :-■ ■ ,-.■ : .•".-' .•<.■■ ■. ••"-■■;■»• „•.. >■ Latter. ? i A private, meeting of Ngatimaniapoto chiefs was continued late last' night. Wahanui figuratively said lie had <■ cat off his hands and feet in supporting the; Maori King, and, in leaving him,, he; washed his hands of any consr quencds of Rewi's action. He would' watch the; result, and would not obstruct him. Only one of the PJgatimaniapoto chiefs;held;out; in favour of supporting Tawhiao. * t \ i An: influential Kingite chief states that Tawhiao intends to propose another meeting " with the Government in December.! This „*is -authentic. It is absolutely certain that in future Eewi will| administer his own affairs within his own boundaries from Pukeruhe to Alexandra; to Taupo, and along thesea; coast. He will not support. Tan hiao's' absurd claim to dominion over New; Zealand. Early this ' morning Eewi,' Wahanui, and Tawhiao held a; long discusion in Tawhiao's house. Subsequently the Ngatimaniapoto. and! Waikatos held a meeting outside Tawhiao's quarters. Tawhiao was present the greater part of the time, attired iv a gorgeous striped blanket. Your reporter was seated near the centre of the circle' within twenty yards of Puiukutu, andi Nuku Rawiti, Tawhiao's secretary, came over and took notes close by. , He writes almost a full report of the speeches,in Maori. Te Ngakau expressed his disap- . pointment at the non-fulfilment of prophecies. ! Some said the dead would rise, but how could that be, done. The discussion degenerated into a discursive argument respecting Tawhiao's claim to Divine right! Many uncomplimentary references were made to sectarian differences amongst Europeans. Aporo, a fanatic, insisted that Tawhiao's name should be conjoined in prayers, while: others c6ritended/tbp.t the Maoris should pray tb'JeHdyah only. ' Te JSlgakau deprecated waste of time ,over religious discussions/ Four poles were put up representing Protestants, Catholics,., Te, Eootis, . and Hauhaus., Qne chief pulled, down, three poles, leaving one standing to represent/Jehovah. The whole,discussion was evidently an adroit dodge of the fanaticalKihgites to prevent definite business. Te Wheoro said many years ago he offered a resting-place i to; Tawhiao. His (Te Wheoro's) mind was now darkened because Waikato. had not accepted Sir George Grey's proposals.. -There .were now four^ parties—Rewi Pakua Whiti, Patate, and PhVnui Whiti. Patate defended, the Europeans from the: charge T of depriving ' Waikatos of their;, land. The' Waikatos had confiscated; them by selling and leasiug.. What was the use of talking any longer about stopping sales and leases. Tumutumo said! the Waikatos had brought death by selling and leasing. ■ Rewi (who was getting impatient at the, idle talk,' the reportof which"' i« herein condensed), said : I have looked into everything, and Tain the same as I was at first. All this talk of' last day I have, not understood.'lt has been wasted. VVho placed that stick there P This is my idea (placing the stick on his head) Tawhiao is like a unicorn He is like my way of holding this stick. You talk of Grey going, but if you get the man that did the mischief put him down. The stump is rotten, but the roots are green. Let us destroy the roots. There; is a Land Court sitting now; if you have anything to say go and stop that, if you are. able. Tawhiao claims to,rule over I lands reaching to the South. Why don't you go and stop that portion P. Te Ngakau, if you sell or lease I will interfere. I have no land. .It has been placed, under Tawhiao, Te Whiti, and Patate. If you hear of anyone leasing or selling go and ;kili him.—Tumutumo: You have lost your land, and now you want to kill the men. Let those who wish to sell or lease do so. I will not permit any killing.— Kewi: I shall commence a new road and make an end of the old things. Tawhiao says leasing and selling are stopped, but it is not so. If I saw that you could enforce that I would deal with you.-r Patate: You . are like school boys crying over lost lollies. The basket that held them broke and some slipped out. —Maku (the supposed murderer of Todd): This idle talk is nothing done. J shall protect mine.—Wahanui: Tawhiao .claimed from North to;Sbu)h, and,had his claim to the Godhead. J3y God's will I will look after my own lanff. The speaker referred to former laws promul*

gated by Tawhiao, and said : Mines have been lost, and only three kept. Tawhiao has said he-has found no wisdom in his chief, ihereforeshe and Rewi must menage affairs.

Te Awhenga contended that the land owners should please themselves as to leasing and selling. There should Le a definite understanding, so that people go away satisfied.

A long discussion of no public interest succeeded. Te Ngakau, in a tone of pique, told Te Whiti Palate he had [.one over to Rewi. Some inflammatory speeches were made by men of no rank, and threats of killing Europeans who occu,oied disputed land; during which Rewi contemplatively walked away v Aporo remarked to Te Whcoro: lam with you ; but you must take care of me. Towards afternoon the assemblage dwin-; died down to a small number—only a lew fanatics — discussing Hauhauism, and endeavouring to incite to mischief, but without effect. -' The Kingites were evidently completely disorganised by Eewi's complete defection, and others possessed a strong disposition to join; him. Tawhiao is now only sup-i ported by a few superstitious andi ignorant i Hauhaus, a few outlaws and mischief makers—whose occupation is gone when Rewi's policy is communicated. Tawhiao bitterly complains of the; blundering of h's principal councillors. Tawhiao will return to Hikurangi a sadder but a wiser man. He will have leisure to; repent,,the non-acceptance o£ ( the 'Hiku-i rangi programme, and will be glad toj renew negotiations. The Government! have reason to congratulate themselves on; a happy release from the necessity of making a one-sided concession and can calmly! wait for the chestnuts to cool without risk. Tawhiao's name will no longer be a bugbear henceforth, and Government need only act straightforwardly with Rew; and peace, progress, and settlement will be consummated.