THE NATIVE MINISTER IN WAIKATO.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1528, 10 January 1879, Page 3

THE NATIVE MINISTER IN WAIKATO.

[sl>ccial Wire.] Alexandha, January 9. Mr Sheehan and party arrived at Alexandra about 5 p.m. yesterday after a hot and dusty journey from Kihikihi. Mr Sheehan stayed at Te Awamutu' on his way for a short time, and received a deputation of settlers, who came to see him on the subject of Utilising the unsold lands, a bridgo over the Mangokoe, and other matters. Suon after arrival at Alexandra, Mr Sheehan was visited by several Native chief's, amongst whom were Tapihana and Pikia, After the usual greetings were over tho following speeches were made. Pikia—Salutations to you, Mr Sheehan. I have come to seo you in order that I may look at you and you at me, for you are the Native Minister, the appointed father to guide lis all. Eakyiha—Salutations. You aro now in fche place of Sir Donald Mcluan. lam going to follow Pikia's example. Let the lamp be lit that we mj lee,

Tapihana then made a long speech, in which he said—Salutations to you, Mr Sheehan. I would have tried to meet you at Qhaupo, but I was afraid lest I should be taken and scut to gaol. When the war broke out at Waitara Potatau resided at Mangarei, and there he saw Governor Brown. The Governor Mien said, "I am going to Waitara to fight." Potatau said, "Do stay." The Governor said, " No, I will go." Potatau said, " Then I remain. I will stick to love, to law, find worship God." The war took pinee, and Maories and Europeans were killed at Waitara. Potatau then asked me to go and make peace. [Here followed a long history of the war.] These words of Potatau are now a law for me and mine. I have done with strife. I will spend my time in helping to bring about a good understanding between the races, that those other words of Potatau may be fulfilled. " Let the two races be gathered together with my arms." Potatau called the pakeha his father, and so I say to you—You are our father. Let your guiding of us be fatherly, for we are bad children. Salutations to you.

Mr Sheehan replied at some length to the various speeches, and, referring to the words of Potatau, that love and truth should reign on the island, expressed his belief that tho time was fast approaching when the priaciplcs involved in those three great words would regulate and govern the relations between both races, as they once did in the past. Mr McMinn, M.H.R., and Mr Byron, chairman of the highway district, waited upon Mr Sheehan on several local matters. This and departmental work occupied him till late at night.

This morning at seven the Native Minister met a number of Natives, who are now disputing with Mr Walker, about the Pukf rau block. A long talk took place as to the previous history of the block. At the conclusion Mr Sheehan said that ho was quite willing that the whole matter should be fairly inquired into, to see which side was right, and which was wrong. This he would only undertake, however, upon one condition, namely, that they should not attempt to assert their rights by force. If they did so, he would have to have recourse to another line of action. They should remember that fighting and acts of violence had failed in previous years to discover what was right, and so they would fail in the future.

The assembly gave Mr Sheehan a hearly promise that they would cheerfully abide a settlement, and the meeting then came to an end.

At about 11 o'clock Rewi, who had sent word previously to the Native Minister that he was coming to him, arrived at Alexandra, accompanied by some of his friends. He has spent the day in company with Mr Sheehan, Paul Tuhaere, Majors Te Wheoro and Kemp, Aihipene Kaihau, and others, and appears to be enjoying himself immensely. The interest of the meeting has also been increased by the arrival from Auckland of the chief of Rorotonga and his companions, and there has been d urin g the a f tornoon a very interesting social gathering or conversazione, which has been characterised by fun and good hunor. This appears to be generally enjoyed by Rewi and tho chiefs, and not less so by the Europeans present, whose knowledge of the language enables them to appreciate the fun. During the day the Native Minister, accompanied by Messrs Rusden, Lewis, and others of that party, visited the celebrated pah of Matakiki. The events of the memorable fight where over 2000 of the Waikato tribes were killed, and the deeds of the Ngapuhi under Tongi Kikei were recounted on the spot by Ahipene Kaihau. The Native Minister will probably leave for Hamilton early to-morrow morning. 9 p.m.

Mr Sheehan and party are still here. It is reported that the King of Parotonga has arrived. The Ngatimaniopoto chiefs, who called to-morrow's meeting, objected to the presence of the Native Minister or llswi here.