THE NATIVE MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 784, 3 November 1882, Page 3

THE NATIVE MEETING.

- A telegram from Alexandra states th it the native meeting came off yesterday. At two o’clock precisely Mr Bryce came on the gtound, and Tawhiao commenced speaking in a metaphorical manner, hampered evidently by a knowledge of the I Government proposals. He said that he bad striven to get nearer the Queen’s people by coming to live at Whatiwhatihoe and going to Auckland. So figurative was the speech that it could hardly be understood. Some inexplicit conversation about the sovereignty then took place. The abandonment of kingiam is being the sole point apparently. After this conversation had passed, Mr Bryce said he would tell the Waikato tribe and people assembled what the Government proposals were. All he offered must be taken or rejected as a whole. No opening must arrive for any future trouble, as would be the case in dual authority. The proposals must be accepted or rejected before he left Alexandra, They could not stand over for an indefinite time. If they were not accepted, he carried the many with him. Sovereignty and all other matters were included in these proposals. The bulk of the unsold.confiscated land on the western side of Waipa should be returned to Tawhiao and his tribe. The section of land Tawhiao asked for at Kaipara should be given to him. He would make an ap-peal-to.the Maniopoto chieftains. The Government would build Tawhiao a house where ho pleased, and furnish it for him. Would give him a pension of L4OO a year for life if the proposals were accepted. As to confirming his status and authority by Government Tawhiao should be appointed an assessor under the Resident Magistrate’s Act, an office before given only to Europeans., He should be made, an Assessor of the Native Lands Court, a Justice of the Peace for the colony, and the .Government would advise the Governor to, call him to the Legislative Council. Tawhiao then asked for delay, so that the chiefs could consider the proposals, and after conversation, Saturday wav fixed for reply to be given. Mr Bryce does not know for certain the exact amount of un-sold-land across Waipa, but considers it about 20,000 acres, and that at least 300 Waikatos have to be provided for. Tawhiao, after the meeting broke up, came into Alexandra in Mr Bryce’s trap.