9

G.—3

King's Proclamation. —Eitbopeanb to be excluded. Thursday night. Shortly after 7 o'clock to-night, the chief of the Ngatimahuta, named Huiaina, said to be a relative of Tawhiao, rode into the township and stopped in front of the Alexandra Hotel. In a loud voice he proclaimed that no Europeans between th<> Waikato and Waipa Rivers, except those in Sir George Grey's party, should be allowed across the confiscated boundary, and he soleranlv warned them not to come. Mr. Grace, the Government Interpreter, translated to your representative, who afterwards interviewed Huiaina, and inquired by whose order this was done. Huiaina replied, "By all Waikato." Keporter : " Was it by Tawhiao's Council ? " Huiaina: "By To Ngakau." Tour representative afterwards interviewed the Native Minister, and asked whether the King's pauni (proclamation) applied to him. Mr. Sheehan replied in the affirmative. Tour reporter, not being on the staff of Ministers, may experience great difficulty in obtaining permission to be present at the meeting. He will, however, prove equal to the occasion. A Maoei Phrenologist. Friday, 10 a.m. Considerable amusement was created by Tawhire, a relative of Tawhiao's, feeling the Hon. J. Sheehan'a bumps. Tawhire, nicknamed " Dicky Diamond," was exhibited throughout Great Britain, India, and America by Mr. Dickson. In the course of his travels, Tawhire acquired a smattering of phrenology. He expressed much admiration of Mr. Sheehan's head. Sir George Grey, with a small party, has just left for the King. The difficulty regarding the admittance of our special reporter has been settled by the Premier taking him as belonging to his party. He will be chaperoned to the place of meeting by Te Wheoro, proceeding overland, as the canoe is not large enough to take all, it being heavily loaded with provisions. Sir George Grey is being conveyed in a large canoe belonging to Te Wheoro, which arrived yesterday. The Natives who came from Te Kopua yesterday state that about 700 Natives are there. Representatives of the tribes are present from Napier, Wanganui, and Taranaki. Tawhiao says the kai is spoiling, nnd is anxious for the meeting to commence. Some Natives yesterday were very impatient at the delay, being tired with the long attendance at the recent tangi over the remains of Takeri te Rau. They threatened to return home, but were induced to stay. The Natives have only a few tents. Many last night rode long distances to their settlements, but will return to-day. In addition to the 700 Natives already assembled, hundreds more are on the road from Tamahere. The Kefuge Mubdereks. Purukutu, Sullivan's murderer, and the redoubtable Te Kooti, were at the place of meeting yesterday, they having come from Te Kuiti. It is not known whether they will be present at the meeting to-day, but they are not likely lo take any prominent part in the proceedings. It is not yet known whether Te Kooti will be present, but probably not, or if so, lie will lie perdu. Te Kooti got very drunk yesterday. He mounted a horse and talked war, and attempted to ride over some Natives. MISCHIEF-MAKEES AT WORK. It is said some Europeans interested in land speculations have been inciting the Natives to hostile speeches. Several chiefs living beyond the boundary desired to sell large blocks of land, and are expected to claim the right to sell. Te Ngakau had heard that several land speculators accompanied Ministers, ergo the Proclamation yesterday. Manxes of the Reception. It is not yet known how the Natives will receive Sir George Grey. At the meeting of the chiefs yesterday, Te Ngakau advised that Sir George Grey should not be received with the usual powhiri on invitation from the women at the entrance to the settlement, which begins " Come here, the guest," &c.; but they should welcome him thus: " Come here, Governor, your coming is your own work." The meaning of this is understood to be that they will expect Sir George Grey to state the object of his meeting ; taking the initiative himself in the speeches. They will probably not make any demand for the restoration of Waikato. Rewi's Attitude. Rewi has been induced to remain with the greatest difficulty. Testerday he again threatened to leave. The story that he has a difference with Tawhiao is substantially correct. Rewi regards him as a mere puppet of the Mgatihaua chiefs. The following conversation between Rewi and a settler took place the other day : —Settler: " Are you not subject to Tawhiao ? " Rewi: " No. The Ngatiwaupoto has only one chief. The Ngatihaua has a hundred." Settler: " Then, if Tawhiao asked you to go to war ?" Rewi (laughing) :" He asked me three times, and 1 refused." The meeting will probably be over to-night. Sir George Grey remains at the settlement to-night with four others. The other Europeans return. There is no down mail till to-morrow morning. Te Kopua, 1 o'clock. Sir George Grey, Messrs. Sheehan, Dignan, J. C. Brown, and Wood proceeded up the river in Te Wheoro's war canoe, paddled by forty-three of Te Wheoro's Natives. They arrived at Te Kopua at ten minutes to 11 o'clock. Meantime Te Wheoro was conducted overland. The Hon. Mr. Fisher, Messrs. Seymour George, Grace, Hoani Nahe, Rewito Raikato, your 2—G. 3.