G.—3.

69

Ngatiawa tribe were Wi Tamihana te Neke, Maniliara te Toru, Wi Api Takau, Enoka Hohepa, Tipene Te Earo, Mawene Hohua, and Tiniora Eau. The Ministerial party on landing were met by a number of gentlemen who were there ready to receive them, and who walked up with the party to the Masonic Hotel. At 7 o'clock a special train left town for the Waitara, taking with it the Premier and othera connected with his party. The Native meeting, it is said, will commence to-morrow, but the great Icorero will, we believe, be on Monday and Tuesday; and the banquet to the Ministerial party will probably take place on Wednesday. The meeting will cause considerable interest, and we have no doubt that large numbers will visit "Waitara to-day. The first train from town will be at 10 o'clock, and doubtless, if a sufficient number are at the station, other trains will be run. (From our own Correspondent.) The approaching meeting to be held here has caused quite a stir, storage accommodation being in great demand. Mr. Coombes, of Auckland, rents a portion of Pennington's auction mart, at a rental of £5 per week ; and one enterprising New Plymouth draper, as a last resource, fits up one of the Government cottages, ahout a mile outside the town. The stores are also beginning to present a gay appearance. Being a meeting of great importance, it is anticipated that a large number of Natives will be present. I hear that about two hundred arrived at Ureiiui from the Mokau yesterday. The successful contractor for the buildings was not long putting in an appearance, and this morning, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather he has had to contend against, has about five hundred feet of it erected. Information was received yesterday that fifty sheep—being part of a flock on the road from Hawera to Waitara, and belonging to Mr. Thomas Bayly—had been stolen from the drivers by some Natives at Parihaka. As the same thing has frequently occurred before, it is high time steps were taken to punish these marauders, as it has long been known that a regular den of them inhabit this locality. However, as Sir George Grey will shortly be here, it is to be hoped that the matter will be laid before him, and that steps will be at once taken to remedy this long existing evil. It is the more to be regretted as Mr. Bayly has given orders that, for the future, all his stock is to be shipped from Wanganui. (From the Taranaki Herald, 26th June.) THE ATTKACTION AT WAITAEA. Notwithstanding the fearfully inclement weather we have had during the past few days, it has in no way daunted persons from visiting Waitara. Since Friday last an extra train has run from town during the morning, and the carriages of it, as well as of the regular one at noon, have been well filled with passengers. Although it was understood yesterday that, if the weather was wet, the Native meeting would be held in Mr. Pennington's store, and that therefore there would not be room for any European visitors to be present to witness it, still that did not deter a large number of persons visiting Waitara, although there was very little to see and considerable personal discomfort to be experienced. It rained well-nigh all yesterday, consequently the roads about Waitara were in an almost impassable condition. After leaving the train the people seemed to make for Messrs. Pennington and Baker's store, where a verandah protected them from the rain ; but the principal stand was in front of the Bridge Hotel, where, in little knots, men were to be seen apparently in earnest cenversation, whilst inside the building the rooms were all crowded, and the landlord evidently was doing an excellent business. We do not suppose that such a large number of Natives ever assembled at Waitara before ; and it is gratifying to learn from Sergeant Tapp, the officer in charge of this district, that not a single case of disturbance has occurred since the arrival of Eewi and his party of Natives. Every evening at dusk the chiefs collect their men, and see that they return to the quarters provided for them. The building erected for the Natives on the three sides of a paddock facing the railway station has not been used ; but the wind has ill-used a portion of it, by blowing it partly down. The Native visitors are not silent respecting it, but their remarks take more a jocular form than that of displeasure. An attempt has been made to drain the paddock, but it evidently had been abandoned after a few trenches had been cut. We must say that, after an inspection of the buldmgs, we are not surprised that the Natives did not admire the quarters provided for them, for the builder had evidently determined that the occupants should not have to complain of a want of ventilation. The Ministerial party are staying at Mr. Halse's residence; the wet weather has, however, rendered their visit a rather unpleasant one. (Sir George Grey, too, we regret to find, has not been well, suffering from his throat, and accordingly he has not, owing to the damp, miserable weather we have had, dared to venture out of doors. Eewi Mauiapoto, accompanied by Karaitiana Takamoana, M.H.E, and other chiefs of note, paid their first visit to Sir George Grey yesterday. It was quite a private interview, there being but three Europeans present besides the Ministerial suite. The interview had no political significance ; unless a friendly visit can be looked upon as such. The Natives who accompanied Eewi numbered between fifteen and twenty, and on reaching Mr. Halse's house they [stopped at the gate until the arrival of Eewi had been announced. On an invitation to enter being sent, the party proceeded up the pathway, and, on reaching the verandah, halted, allowing Eewi to enter first the room where Sir George was. The Premier shook him by the hand, and seated him on the left side of a bright fire that was burning, and then resumed again his chair on the right. Eewi is a man about five feet six inches in height, with an intelligent face and dark piercing eyes; his cheek, forehead, and chin being severely tatooed. As he was dressed in European clothes no very good idea could be obtained of his build, for his figure was hidden by a long overcoat he was wearing ; but ho evidently has been a powerful man when younger. He walks with a short, firm step, and appeared, as he passed along the sidewalk on his