THE NATIVE MEETING AT ARAMOHO.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5744, 14 October 1885, Page 2

THE NATIVE MEETING AT ARAMOHO.

The Hoc. Mr Ballance had a meeting with tho Wanganui Maoris on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. in their new ruuanga house, appropriately named Te Ao Hou, which, literally translated, ia the new world, but may be taken to mean the new era "! ho principal spoakers were Mnjor Kemp, Poari Kuramate, Aperahamn Talmnui-Araugi, and Haimona. After welcoming tho Native Minister, the speakers referring in complimentary terms to lhe action t)kcn by him ou bohalt of the Maori people generally during tho last t-os«um of Parliament, aud while rf-greUin!_» t!v\t the Native Laud Disposition. Bill, and the Native Land Couit Acts Consolidation Bill, had not been passed, they contended that, at any rate, the House had affirmed the principles contained iv tho former bill by passing itii second reading, and expressed their confidence that it would ultimately beconiß law and prove beneficial to the M3ori penplo. Among other matters of importance, Majur Kemp brought under the notice of the Minister his application for the survey of a, large iivet of country iv the Upper Wanganui District, owned by his tribe. Tie hoped the survey would be gone on with at once, aud declared his intention of opening the country for aettlemeut as soon as it couid be passed through the Court; he also requested that the meeting of Maori delegates proposed by VVi Pore for the purpo.-e ot discussing the provisions of a measure affecting the Maoris, to be introduced next session, should be hold at Aramoho, in which request he was supported by all the other speakers Kemp also referred to the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Main Trunk .Railway at Kiliikthi, in which certain Maori chiefs took pirt, and said that the Government had uninten" tionally placed a slight upon the chiefs of this district, by riot inviting them to join in a similar ceremony at the Marton terminus. — Mr Ballance iv replying promised that the survey mentioned by Major Kemp should be made without delay, ami bt ited that arrangements were now being made for commencing it. With reference to the meeting of Maon delegates he explained that he has determined to leave the matter entirely iv the hands of the Maoris, and suggested that the proposal should be carried out, giving ah the same time an assurance that he would have great pleasure in attendiuff the meeting wherever it was held. As to the ceremony of turning the fiist f.od of the Hail way, he assured them that no slight whatever was intended to the native chiefs of the Whanga,nui district and that arrangements for the ceremony at the Marton end had unavoidably falleu through but he hoped thai whun the line was opened for traffic irom Marton northward an opening ceremony would be held in which the Maoris would be invited to join. Having replied fully to all matters of minor importance, that were brought forward at the meeting, apparently to the tatisfaction of those present, and partaken of refreshments provided by the Maoris the IVative Minister returned to town.