G.—3

22

[From the New Zealander, 14th May, 1878.]

Alexandra, 18th May. I hate already informed you that Tawbiao accompanied Sir George Grey and the Native Minister from Hikurangi. Since then he has been living about a quarter of a mile from Alexandra. He is much pleased with the result of the interview between Sir George Grey and the Hon. the Native Minister and Rewi. He expected that Rewi would give his cordial acquiescence to the proposals of the Government. Tawhiao left at an early hour this morning for Hikurangi, and a number of Natives have gone to Cambridge to attend the Land Court. The settlers in all parts of the Waikato are jubilant over the prospects of a near and satisfactory settlement of the differences which have hitherto existed between the two races inhabiting the North Island, and which have so long retarded the advancement and peaceful occupation of the Waikato country —undoubtedly one of the finest portions of New Zealand. Sir George Grey, Hon. Mr. Sheehan, Hon. Hoani Nahe, and the other visitors left here by the steamer " Waikato" at half-past 11 o'clock. A large number of Europeans and Natives were assembled to witness their departure and to bid a cordial good-bye. As the steamer left her moorings several rounds of cheers were given for Sir George Grey and all on board. Sir George Grey and his private secretary, Mr. W. Mitchell, will proceed to Auckland by special train. The Native Minister and his secretary, Mr. Grace, will go as far as Ngaruawahia, and travel from thence to Tamahere, to attend a Native meeting to be held there. The Native Minister will be accompanied thither by the Hon. Hoani Nahe, Major Te Wheoro, Ahipene Kaihau and his son Henry Kaihau. The object of the meeting at Tamahere is to settle a large number of important outstanding questions between the Ngatihaua and Ngatiraukawa tribes and the Government. The principal subjects of discussion will relate to numerous blocks of land lying between the eastern bank of the Waikato and the watershed near Tauranga known as the Patahere. I must here state that Tawhiao was invited by Sir George Grey to accompany him to Auckland; but, as he was unable to do so, he sent his eldest son Tv Tawhiao to accompany the Ministerial party as far as Ngaruawahia; from thence he will go with the Native Minister to Tamahere, in order to represent his father at tho meeting. He felt a delicacy in proceeding to Auckland until all arrangements have been finally settled. It is worthy of mention that this is the first occasion on which any man of rank has ever travelled outside the confiscated boundary. A number of chiefs proceeded by the steamer on their way to Auckland. Sir George Grey's health is a little improved, notwithstanding the great fatigue he has undergone during the last fortnight. [From the Auckland Weekly News, 11th May, 1878.] THE PREMIER AMONG THE KIXGITES. Paeticttlaes of the Reception. Stoeies of the Wae Recounted. (By Electric Telegraph. From our Special Correspondent.) Alexandra, I'riday ; Hauwai, Thursday, 2nd May. I started this morning to go up the hill to see Tawhiao and the place of assemblage, but, calling in by the way on Honana, he argued that I ought not to go, and set forth a series of very ingenious reasons, which he said had been agreed to by Tawhiao's Council. Sir George Grey and the Native Minister had agreed to come to the meeting, and it was to the Government that Tawhiao desired to address himself. To see other Europeans before the representatives of the Government would destroy the character of the meeting. It would be, on the part of Tawhiao, something like throwing up the sponge before any terms were made, —as if complete amity were established with the Europeans, and so on. I began to think that the Native question was like the Asian mystery of Mr. Disraeli, and to consider whether the English Government ought not to send to New Zealand and get Te Ngakau or some other adroit diplomatist to represent Great Britain at the European Conference, if war is not yet begun, so as to bamboozle Ignatieff—l do believe the Maori would have the best of it. If I had persisted perhaps I would have been hindered by force; but Maori politeness and Maori eloquence were persuasive; and I have made it a rule, when in such situations, not to go were I am recommended not to go —one cannot call in a policeman in such, places. I therefore returned to my quarters amongst the Ngatimaniapoto. Meanwhile I passed tho time listening to the war stories of those around me. I will give one, premising that, as I was not in New Zealand at the time spoken of, I am not able to check the particulars. As nearly as possible the language was as follows : —When Ngatimaniapoto determined to fight I went with a large body of them down the Waikato in canoes. We came down to Tuakau. When we got there we saw Armitage and two other Europeans getting on board a canoe. They were going to take horses's feed up to Point Russell. Armitage thought that no Maori would touch him. We got down to the bank of the river before they pushed off. Armitage then saw the danger, and called out that he was a friend of the Maoris. One of our party Bhot him in the body, and then, as he was not dead, struck him on the head with a mere. The two other men were shot, and fell into the river. The man who killed Armitage is here. He took the body and buried it, having first taken the watch, which he has now. The next day the soldiers came upon us at Tuakau. I shot the first man dead. Then we retreated. An officer was leading the soldiers, calling out " Come on." After running some distance I turned and fired, and the oilicer fell. I heard next day that ho was wounded, and that his name was Buddie or Butler. I was in ihe fight at Mereinere and Rangiriri. Escaped from Rangiriri across the swamp during the night with a number of my companions. The Maoris then assembled at Ngaruawuhia, and we considered whether we should attempt to hold it. We thought it would be bad policy to attempt to do so, as the steamers could get past us on both sides by the Waipa and the liorotiu. We abandoned Ngaruawahia, and commenced to build the pa at Paterangi. Here your correspondent interrupted the narration by saying, " I wonder that you, knowing the strength of the Europeans and the numbers of the soldiers they could bring, went to fight at all."