A NATIVE MEETING.

Evening Star, Issue 3652, 5 November 1874, Page 3

A NATIVE MEETING.

A large Native meeting was recently held at Hick’s Bay, on the East Coast, which was attended by about 350 of the Ngatiporou, including all the principal chiefs. Sir Donald M'Lean had been invited, but was not present. The correspondent of the ‘Poverty Bay Herald’ furnishes an interesting account of the proceedings, from which we learn that the meeting was commenced by the hoisting of a flag, the chiefs Iharaira, Ropata, and Morgan, and Mr Campbell, R.M., Captain Porter, and Major Pitt occupying seats on a platform round the flagstaff, the rest of the people being grouped in hapus around. A picked body of thirty, drawn up beside the platform, fired a volley, after which they danced a war dance. At one end of the column was Mrs Hokamau, gorgeously attired in a blue silk gown, with a blue velvet hat and purple feather, and who, in spite of her age, displayed extraordinary agility. At the other end was a young lady, daughter of a chief of rank, dressed in ballet costume—or rather in costume which would give a shock to the nerves of a ballet girl, being “ clothed in smiles,” in fact, very little else. She appeared to be quite an artiste in the dancing line. Major Ropata acted as master of the ceremonies, giving out the subjects to be discussed, two or three at a time, and thus saving rambling discussion. After an adjournment for dinner several other matters were discussed, and Ropata informed them of the intention of the Government to station some constabulary at Waiapu, and also to build a Court house and lock-up there. A good deal of amusement was caused by Hemi Tapeki, a notorious horse-stealer, who remarked that he was agreeable to all the other proposals of the Government, but was not at all sure about the lockup. “ No,” said Ropata, “ I dare say not, you will be the first in it.” Another topic brought under discussion was that of putting the land through the Court, and getting the land opened up, and it was generally agreed that it was desirable to have this done.