G.—3

65

A Native belonging to "Waikato, who was present at the meeting at Hikurangi, lias just returned from a visit to Titofcowaru and To Whiti. He informs me that when To Whiti was told about the agreement to which Tawhiao had consented in Waikato, he said, " I have been holding out for tho whole Island, but if Tawhiao has agreed to certain specified boundaries in "Waikato of land to be returned, then I have nothing more to say, my work is done." To "Whiti will not attend the meeting, but Titokowaru, it is now said, may come. About fifty cart-loads of food are now on the way from Parihaki, and Titokowaru is bringing down a herd of cattle. Titokowaru, I am informed, says lie has no proposals to make, and if he comes to Waitara will not take an active part in the proceedings of the meeting. Te Ngakau has sent a request that some kind of monument should be erected in the cemetery at New Plymouth to AVetene Taiporutu and several other chiefs of Waikato who were killed at Mahoetahi. I understand that some of the Mokau Natives intend to ask for a subsidy for the " Maid of Mokau," the vessel recently launched at Auckland for the Mokau trade, and which it is intended, I believe, to take into Kawhia shortly, under the care of Te Wetere. The occurrences of the last few days have shown strikingly the isolation of Taranaki. Last Sunday week the utmost difficulty was experienced in communicating with the steamer for the Manakau. Yesterday the task was found impossible. A number of gentlemen who had been here on business, and who were anxious to leave, had to make up their minds to remain, losing their time for a whole week, with, of course, the same risk next week. The mail for this whole district for San Francisco was made up and ready to be taken off, but had to be placed in the post office again. Verily, Taranaki wants a harbour, and railways also. The old identities are not, however, a very enterprising class. Somo of them object even to the harbour. It was proposed lately to borrow money to make and metal certain roads which were absolutely necessary, when one member of the Council objected on the ground that if the roads were metalled he would have to shoe his horses. It is stated here that the " Taiaroa " had on board a large number of excursionists from the South, who were coming to be present at the meeting. They will be much disappointed at being taken on to the Manukau, and most of them will, no doubt, be in a position greatly to be pitied. The spectacle from the shore has been grand all day, and this evening, the gale blowing gtrongly from the west, the sea, for a mile from the beach, is a mass of foaming waves. [From the Nem Zealand Herald, 26th June.] THE NATIVE MEETING AT WAITABA. (By Electric Telegraph. From our own Correspondent.) New Plymouth, Tuesday. It is disgusting to have again to write that nothing has been done to-day, but, in truth, the meeting has again been put off till to-morrow. Everything was made ready for commencing business to-day. The wind had lulled, but rain fell almost all the morning. The Waitara Natives assembled at the bridge just opposite tho Manukorihi pa, where Bewi is residing. The Wanganui Natives, who are living at Isew Plymouth, came out in an early train, under the guidance of Mr. Parris. This gentleman, who is one of the oldest Native officers in New Zealand, is not now in Government service, but, as Major Brown, the present Civil Commissioner, has been lately suffering from illness in the throat, Mr. Parris has given efficient assistance to the Native Minister during the present meeting. It was at first said that the meeting would take place at 1 o'clock despite the weather, but at that hour it got rumoured abroad that there was to be no meeting to-day. Eewi has from the first been exceedingly unwilling to do anything in the absence of the principal men of the tribes of this district, but the delay which has taken place has been greatly owing to the absence of William King and the representatives of the tribes having their settlements to tho south of Mount Eginont. Whether William King will come or not is still doubtful. It is said that he has a great objection to come to Waitara, now that the Europeans have built a town upon it. He has several times started, and then turned back again. A party of tho southern Natives have been on the way for some time with cart-loads of provisions. A message has been sent to-day, telling them to send on their principal men, so as to have the meeting. About half-past 1 o'clock to-day Eewi came over the river to see Sir George Grey. Eewi was accompanied by Tainui and the leading chiefs of the party who accompanied him from Waikato. Eewi was duly installed on the opposite side of the fire-place from Sir George Grey, and a chat of about half an hour's duration took place. No matters of deep political import were discussed, and, as showing that, I may give a specimen of the conversation. Sir George said ho was sorry the weather had been so bad since they came to Watara, and there had been so much trouble about the meeting. Itewi: It seems that when we two come to Waitara there is always trouble of some kind. Sir George Grey : I blame you. Kewi : You invited me here, and you brought the bad weather with you. Sir George Grey : But never mind ; if we settle matters amicably at this meeting, we won't think of the trouble. Bewi: Yes ; it is for you and me to settle these matters. Sir George Grey: I shall be very glad to settle all these troubles between the Maoris and Europeans before I die. Rewi: You are not going to die yet, and neither am I. We are both too tough. If you die before you settle these troubles I shall blame you. But you are not going to die so long as you are working for the country. Sir George Grey: If I die first, you will come and have a tangi over my grave; and if you die I shall come and have a tangi over your grave. JRewi: If you die first I will choose a burying-ground for you. The conversation then took another turn, and Sir George asked Eewi what was his first battle, and Eewi pointed to Karaitiana Takamoana, M.H.E., of Napier, and said, " We fought against his people, and he was taken prisoner, and he escaped, and now sits here." 9—G. 3.