NATIVE MEETING AT KAIAPOI.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1342, 3 June 1878, Page 3

NATIVE MEETING AT KAIAPOI.

After the dinner adjournment on Friday the Natives assembled in the Runanga house. This had been prepared during the day for the convenience of a largo auditory, and although, at 8 p.m. it was closely filled, there was no difficulty in the way of the speakers— Maori orators usually require a free platform —having the full range of the aisle, which is kept clear, if possible, on these occasions. Near the entrance was placed a table at which sat the president, Tare Wi Teihoka, and supporting him the Hons. Mr Sheehan and Hone Nahe, the Rev. J. W. Stack and Mr Grace (Mr Sheehan's secretary). A few Europeans were also present. Prayers were read from the Book of Common Prayer by the Rev. Gh P. Mutu. Mr Sheehan offered his salutations and expressed himself ready to hear the statements to be put forward. Mr Taiaroa announced that it had been agreed he should act as spokesman, and having made a few observations on the particulars of their case, handed a full statement of it in writing to Mr Sheehan. Mr Sheehan, in reply to what had been said and the statements contained in the papers, said he would, on the part of the Government agree to a Commission being appointed to draw up a report on the promises which it was alleged had been made of schools, hospitals, &c, in respect to some of the purchases. [Cheers.] If Taiaroa would join him in Wellington, the Commission would be appointed, and both of them being quite uninterested could enter into the work at once, with a view to an immediate settlement. [Cheers.] Both parties, the Natives and the Q-overnment, might bo represented by counsel, and the questions would be carefully gone into, and the report submitted to Parliament. [Cheers.] Mr Sheehan was subsequently kept occupied till nearly midnight receiving applications for redress or re-adjustment of land affairs of a party nature, The Ministerial party then retired to their blankets, of which a liberal supply had been purchased from Kaiapoi, leaving several of the elder Nativos to keep up the " korero " for three or four hours longer. At seven next morning the pah was again the scene of active preparation to honour the guest. After breakfast and a chat over the Pbess report of the previous day's proceedings, the time appointed for the school inspection arrived. The building internally was the very model of order. On the walls wore a few appropriate mottos, " Advance the Kaiapoi Native School," "Welcome Mr Sheehan," and the like. The children were ranged on a raised platform, with the harmonium in front. On a table in the centre was displayed the attendance register, as well as specimens of the echolarg' work. The Native chiefs were all present, the elder ones eyeing the soer.o with some curiosity, while the younger persons appeared to take no little pride in it. Te Hira Mutu, dux of the school, read an address in English, to which Mr Sheehan replied, making the observation that the education of the Natives was a matter to which his especial attention wouid be given. Hone itfahe said this was the first Native school he had seen. He was glad to see the efficiency with which the children had been taught. He hoped the boys and girls present would do their best to acquire a knowledge of the English language, and so be able to better till the places of Taiaroa and himself in the Assembly, by having gained a perfect knowledge of the same, and be able mure efficiently to fill the offices which the Q.ueen allowed Taiaroa and himself to hold.

A number of pieces of nrasic were then sung in a manner which did the children and teachers every credit, concluding with two well sung verses of " God Save the Queen." Mr Sheehan asked for the visitors' hook and inserted after the date—" Highly gratified with my inspection of this sohool, and oonsider it reflects the highest credit on the master and mistress, Mr and Mrs Reeves." Uone Nahe after his sign manual added —" lam greatly pleased with what I have seen, also with the proficiency in singing and neat appearance of the children."

A short timo was then spent in talking over various minor matters, and it wus Intimated that a sitting of the Native Land Cotirt would probably be held in the district at an early date. Leave-taking wasnrit carried out, and Mr Shewhan and party, having passed through the lines of sohool children and .Natives, were escorted by a cavalcade to Kaiapoi railway station. Thence he was conveyed by special train to Obristohurcb, being accompanied by several of the Natives, who seemed to enjoy the trip in the luxurious vioe-regal carriage.