WAIMATE PLAINS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 128, 7 April 1879, Page 2

WAIMATE PLAINS.

(own correspondent press agency.) Patea, Friday.

There was a great meeting of natives at Omutarangi on Tuesday and Wednesday, four miles from Oeo, to tangi over a chief of note just dead, and who fought against the Europeans during the war. He was an earnest disciple of Te Wliiti, and on that account a large number of Parihaka natives attended. There were also a number of Titokowaru's pcoplo and influential chiefs, some supporters and some opponents of the Governments, The tangi soon drifted into a pelitical meeting, and speeches were made for and against the Government.

Katene, who aided Major Browne, to start the survey, spoke most decisively against the action Te Whiti in causing the' tho'removal of the surveyors, and ridiculed Te Whiti, saying that instead of his doing the work of a god he was only doing the work of a man. If Te Whiti had the great power he assumed why not use it that men might be convinced of it by sending all the Europeans to England, and returning New Zealand to tlie Maoris, Katene said he would bring the surveyors back again on the plains and protect them.

The speech was received in silence, except by a few running comments at his daring outspokenness. : Te Kohu and Ngatura also expressed themselves favorable to the return of the surveyors, saying they had had trouble enough already. Honi Pihana, who lately lost a child, and had not mixed much with the natives, stated that though lie had been otherwise engaged, he had been informed of what was going on, and should support the Government.

Honi Pihana was interrupted, and told that the Government had taken care of him by giving him land at Tangahoi and Oeo; and that therefore ho should not speak. Tauhi then spoke to Titokowaru, reminding him how he had become famous by fighting on the native side at To Nguteotemanu, and that he could still further distinguish himself and get honor if he would forsake the Government altogether. Titokowaru seemed to lean towards the Government, and said he had finished his work at Te Nguteotemanu. Captain Blake is reported to be endeavoring to ingratiate himself with the natives by throwing discredit on men who so far have been actively engaged on the Government side in connection with the survey, and at Katita, when talking to natives, he received 'an unexpected rebuff, an uncomplimentary reference being made to his part of the transactions with some of the natives.

Katene, at the meeting, spoke strongly against interference with the natives by Europeans, and said there would be no trouble unless it was made by sending white men across the river to talk with the natives, as some had been doing lately.