Page image

G—3

21

fashionable ball-room. The faces of all beamed with gladness and satisfaction. I may state that no intoxicating liquors were partaken of by any of the Natives assembled here, and the order and good feeling that prevailed throughout the settlement during our stay cannot be too highly praised. 11th May. The friendly Natives were astir at an early hour making preparations for leaving, and by 10 o'clock very few of them remained. Sir George Grey spent the greater portion of the morning in consultation with Tawhiao. He expressed his full aquiescence in the proposals made, but that a full consideration of the matter had convinced himself and his friends that there should be a confirmation on the part of those chiefs in different parts of the North Island, who for years past had acted with him. He said he would assemble them as soon as possible, and, having obtained their concurrence, would meet Sir George Grey again and close the matter, as he was most anxious for its early settlement. He said he would do his utmost to complete the arrangement before the assembling of next session of Parliament. He knew that if he could riot succeed in doing so before, that he must wait for the close of the session before he could again see Sir George Grey. Ho assured Sir George Grey that he would lose no time in having an immediate settlement of the question. He seemed in excellent spirits and well satisfied at the result of the meeting. Sir George Grey and party left here at 10 o'clock, accompanied by a large number of chiefs, including Major Te Wheoro, Tv Tawhiao, the King's eldest sou, and Te Ngakau, the King's Prime Minister, who came on to Alexandra. Tawhiao escorted the Premier and Native Minister a good portion of the way. The Ministerial party arrived in Alexandra shortly after 12 o'clock. Some time was spent by Sir George Grey and the Native Minister in receiving deputations on various matters. A letter was received from Bewi, stating that he was most auxious to see Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan. The conduct of Eewi throughout has been most frank, friendly, and straightforward. They determined to remain in Alexandra for the night, and drive over next day to Te Awamutu to have an interview with Eewi, as they did not wish to do anything which might look like a slight upon this influential chief. Sir George Grey has expressed himself as entirely satisfied with all that has taken place at the meeting, and that the result has exceeded his expectations. "When the news of the result of yesterday's meeting reached the various settlements of the Waikato the people were delighted. They feel that there is at length a prospect of a final settlement of all the differences which have so long stood in the way of the occupation and advancement of the finest portions of the Waikato country, and that the King movement will soon become a thing of the past. Those who possess property throughout the North Island will fully realize the advantages which will accrue from the satisfactory and permanent settlement of all differences, and the more close and friendly alliance of the people of both races in the future, while the beneficial influences of such a state of things will extend throughout the whole of New Zealand. Alexandra, 12th May. Sir George Grey and the Native Minister have just returned from Puniu, where they had an interview with Eewi. It will be remembered that Eewi did not attend the meeting which has just finished, and many people thought he was standing aloof. The result of the talk which Ministers have had with him shows the supposition to be unfounded. He met them at the house of a Mr. Eoss, near the Puniu River, and had a talk of over an hour and a half with them. He was fully aware of what had taken place at the meeting, and expressed his approval thereof, and throughout his whole conversation showed himself as still remaining attached to Tawhiao. He starts to-morrow morning early to travel through the lands occupied by his tribe down to Mokau, to proclaim the terms of settlement and procure their concurrence. From Mokau lie will proceed to Waitara, and meet William King, the leader of the rebel Natives in the Taranaki war. At that place he will be met by a number of chiefs from other parts of the Island, and the hatchet will be buried on the spot where it was first used. He stated that the meeting at Waitara would be at the end of June, and strongly pressed that, if Parliament was not assembled at that time, Sir George Grey and the Native Minister would, if possible, be present at the meeting. Nothing could exceed the kindness and fairness of Eewi throughout the whole talk, and it was evident that a load had been taken off his mind. The Ministerial party return by the afternoon train to-morrow. Later. It is understood that Eewi will take a seat in the Upper House as soon as a final settlement is made. He is very anxious to do so, and it is also understood that he is excessively pleased at the chance of town acres being reserved in his own favourite place near Kihikihi, and other spots to which he is attached. Ii is also known that he would have gone to the meeting with Tawhiao, except from motives of delicacy, and that he offered to do so if Sir George Grey expressed a wish to that effect. Eewi thought it would be better to have two separate meetings. The meeting at Mr. Eoss's was quite private. Eewi came over the boundary out of compliment to the Ministers who were present. He brought with him some eight or ten of his principal chiefs. The meeting lasted about two hours. Some of the settlers having received information of the interview, there was quite a large gathering in Mr. Eoss's paddock by the time the meeting terminated. Eewi came out with his arm resting on Sir George Grey, and accompanied him to the vehicle which was to convey him back to Alexandra, lie earnestly entreated the Premier to be present at the meeting at Waitara, if possible. 1 understand that Eewi brought under the Hon. Mr. Sheehan's notice complaints in reference to [attempted dealings with land in which he was interested. Amongst other things he expressed hia anxiety for the termination of the present state of relations between the two races, with a view to his being able more effectually to protect his property in the Courts of the country. Eewi resides about half a mile from Mr. Eoss's, on the other side of the Puniu Eiver, which runs between their respective properties. It was a striking Bight, walking over the beautiful valley between their houses, to see what a magnificent country lay ready to the hand of the agriculturist when the present unhappy relations between both races are brought to a close. The mixture of Europeans and Natives in Mr. Eoss's verdant paddocks was also a very pleasing sight. Seeing the group of Ministers, Native chiefs, and settlers mixed up together around the quiet, smiling homestead of a Waikato country gentleman gave an assurance that terms of peace were really now close at hand,