THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9415, 9 May 1879, Page 2

THE GR EAT NA TI VE MEE T ING.

— » . j Tb Kopoa, Thursday evening. ; I write briefly to let ( you know what has been done to-dny, as it is now past 5 o'clock, 'and the meeting has only just adjourned, It rained last night' and this morning, and some doubts were expressed as to whether any meeting would take place to-day or npt. Having cleared up a little towards midday, it was understood that the meeting would take place. The natives did not assemble till about three o'clopk. " Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan; arrived shortly after,, but Tawhiao did not put in an appearance, although a number of his, people were pre- r sent. I ascertained f rom Hoteretie, of the King's body guard, that Tawhaid 'woulS no 6 be' present, but he would be -represented by ! Te Ngafcau.and Wahanui. Close ontHree' 'thousand .natives assembled^ and after being Beatedfox some tim?, > ; ' '•- < ■ Hone Mote Tawhaio, of Ngapuhi, rose to t ask whether the -talk .should, proceed, or whether they 'were to wait for somebody elseJ," i After a pause, Te Wheoro said— lt is getting rate,,aiid we had better proceed.^ He then suggested that each tribe sfiould speak in turn. He numbered the various tribes present, and said there need be nohesitatioh but Jet each take- his turn.' .'if ,' f : Hemij of Te Kirawa, opened talk, and was followed by Honi Mohi Tawhaio (Ngapuhi), and Te Hetnera (Ngatiwhata), who spoke 'very decidedly in favour of supporting the jbreaty of W/aitangi. . . „. 1 At this stage, -Paraka (Ngatimaniapoto) Requested the speaker to wait until the speakers on the Kingls side arrived. : Paori Tuhayre (Orakei) asked what they meant. The question. had been put out aHd nobody suggested delay until some of the speakers had sat down. He thought it would be better 'to proceed. : , -.; , , ; ,-j ' Hanamere (Ngatimaniapoto) blamed the Waikatp3;for, the confusion.; He thought that their speakers were present, but on inquiry, found/the}- were not; ; .; ;,t •,:-«- r ;< f < Wi Pikatiu (North Cape) then addressed the meeting, and while he was speaking r Te, ! Ngakau and a lot of £kingites arrived and took their seats. *.> ' ■ -;-i > •"•- ; Natives from all parts of the Island made ppeeohes, all short and to the point. They alLagreed in condemning. -Tawhiao's ; polioy r and stated their determination 'tit stanU by the Government. ■' The last speaker was Te Wheoro, who made' a forcible speech. "; He 5 Went i over bis"; etoryfrom the .beginiung, of the troubles. He referred to what bad been said at the Hikurangi meeting, and asked them to judge it. Sir George Grey'had been wrong. 1 Te Ngakau said he had a great deal to say, which he .qoald not finish before^ark^-atid he asked'th'e i-meeting to adjo'iir'h f tiirto)mowow. Te Wheoro agreed, and the meeting broke up,