KOPUA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1023, 14 January 1879, Page 2

KOPUA.

THE NATIVE MEETING,

(KROai OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) January.ll,. 1879. ! The native meeting, called by Ngati T maniopoto, terminated here to-day, and, although not attended by Mauga (Rewi), was of consequence, as . shewing the general feeling of that important tribb. The chiefs present, aiul taking part intbe meeting were, as follows: Taonui, a near relative of RewL'a, and who accompanied him in the late visit to Waitara and New Plymouth; Hauhuru, ; a principal chief of Ngatinianiapoto; Apbro, Tuhoro, KareWa, Poukauri, Tupotahi and Tukorehu, the two last, the conveners of the meeting (Nephews of Rewi), for the purpose of considering the present .reported action of Rewi, in giving up lands to the Government, for roads, etc., and to take steps to again formally hand, over their lands to the present King Tawhiao, he alone to have the mana over their lands, as had formerly been done, when the, land was all given oyer to the late King Potatau. , Tawhiao, although expected to do so, did not attend, but a number of the principal WaikiXo Chiefs were present, including Manuhiri, Tuhi, Nuku Whenua, Taki Warn, Honana Maiho, and Te Tapiharia. Paora Tuhaere, with the Rarotonga chief, was also present, and Major Te Wheoro, the •Government Agent, at Alexandra. Tukorehu first gave the welcome, calling upon them.to come and consider the death or sickness of the land and • people, alluding to Rewi having promised laixds, &o. Hauhauru spoke to the following effect:. —" Listen, all of you. Ido not care for Rewi or his sayings or doings. He is only a dogi Let him run about. If it was Tawhiao, it would trouble me. If Rewi goes to that place, or that place, or that place (pointing to Kingite boundaries), I am there—meaning his or Tawhiao's influence was paramount. Let ns all keep together, as we have hitherto done,under Tawhiao. Do not be sorry for Rewi; the Ngatimaniapoto are a bad lot. We have all gone wrong at times about our religien and other things, so do not think so much of Manga's doings We can all live under Tawhiao." [We disagree with Hauhuru. The Waikatos have always boen jealous of Rewi and the Ngatimaniapotos, who really own the land. His speech was probably prompted by pique.]

Old Tuhoro then rose, and, as usual, began to get discursivo about old times and religion, when Hauhauru told him to sit down, which he did with some indignation. - . -• next speaker, addressing Hauhauru, said he quite agreed with him -hill the lands :, t were Tawhiao's. It was Tawhiao they h&tl.to look to. i&poxo, Teh6ro, andjTumutumu spoke tftithe same affect, |£ehoro said:—"l am only a man of yery small influence. If I, or any other 'like me," dp'anything-wrong against the Kangite laws, thereis great notice taken of it. I want to know why the same law does not apply to you great chiefs." -•'Hauhauru: Let our laws condemn us if we do wrong. I do not wish to go against them.

Here the meeting went into a long discussion regarding the rightful ownership of a bullock. ; ,.This was of no general interest, and'the'chiefs did not interfere. • r .T^Pih an a,..with an umbrella, sitting down in the middle'pf the /circle for two hours in .a broiling, sun, .wasted the time of all present Recounting the history, of the late King Potatau—how he had always supported him, and how he would also support his son Tawhiao. He was interrupted by Nuku asking him if he was. not following the .same road as Manga', and had joined the friends of the Government. .

lapihana: : My place is with Hauhauru and laonui—my house is Tawhiao's. hj^ a Hu. : Will ypu always live hjjfuat Tapihana: Yes, for ever and over. lt_was apparent that all were of one mind—to keep under TaWhiao. Hauhauru then rose • and turned to J&onui, saying: Welcome, father; come and see us all. You are not a chief, only by your goodness to the men of the Kuiti. Welcome to us.

Taonui: Welcome me home amongst you. I went to Waitara in Tawhiao'a and our interests. I had no other object m going there. When we arrived at Waitara, you sent for us to return; we have returned. When Tukorehu's letter, asking me to come here, arrived, then I knew I could come, and am here. Hauhauru: It is good, my father; I am glad to see you have not chaaged, and are returned to us.

At this, the meeting adjourned. After ioo & had been served out and partaken of, Marino stood up, and, turning to Hauhuru, said: Welcome. I have been and am of the same mind since the commencment of the Zing Movement at Ngaruawahia. Tupotahi then brought up a charge against Tangihaere—James Thompson—a half-caste, for having given a native named Maru in charge of. the police last JNew Year's Day in Alexandra, for stealing his plough, thus trampling on Tawhiad's laws.

Nuku : They are both Waikatos. That wrong.is mine. I will remove both of them to Hikurangi. "* Dusk now coming on, the meeting broke up.. °