THE NATIVE MEETING AT KOPUA.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1531, 14 January 1879, Page 3

THE NATIVE MEETING AT KOPUA.

[Special Wirt'.] Alexandra, January 13. At the continuation of the Native meeting at Kopua, Manna, of Ngatimaniopoto, followed much in the same strain as Hau Hauru. He asked them to take no heed of Eewi's doing!;, but stick under Tawhiao, who was the head of all, not divided. Ke had. joined the King movement from the commencement, and bo that tree he would still stand. If it did fall, he should go and look for some other tree, but not before. , . All the Ngatiraaniopotos in speaking having blamed themselves for the troubles brought on the land by their first having joined in the King movement, Nuku Wlienua (the chief of Ladd s murderers) said— Lt is not Ngatinisminpoto alone who have committed crimes. Waikato arc to blame iu that respect also. Tuputahi then brought on the quo-fion ot removing half-castes off their lands. He referred to James Thomson, who had broken their laws by causing the' arrest by the pakeha r-oiiceman of stealing his plough When Mara ■was locked up i'i gaol at Alexandra Nuku said, "That is my crime. They both belong to Waikato. I wiU remove them from Kopua to Tikorangi." Several other questions were but they were not of general interest. Manga (Kewi) did not attend. He wished to bring Mr fehcehan with him, which the ;atives would not agree to, and hudiug that Kewi would not attend without him, they referred the question to Mar nhii i, who replied—" Wo do not want to see the Native Minister present. Wo can say what we have to say to him in March next at the K*eat me 'ting. But if K-wi will not come without Mr Hhcehan, go and tell him he can bring him i» he likes, but yje do not require him." This caused anxious consultation with Major Kemp and other iNatives, ani it was concluded fcbfc fit tfatjve Mjniatw cou,ld not accept.

1 Hence his non-appearance, although somo ourteen horses had been provided to convey him and staff to Kopua. The meetings were uuanimona that ( the liana oi the lands and people should go in with Tawhiao, and he at one to have jurisdiction regarding roads, &c. It is rather a strange eoincideace, but hardly a single Kingite Native came into Alexandra during the Native Minister's visit to s-ee him, with the exception of Manga, if lie can now be called one. Not even a Native looking for a present. Tapahimna, a pakeha, and Hakea, calling themselves kupapas, only accepted. The Native Minister and staff left Alexandra for Hamilton on Friday morning at four o'clock, Kewi shortly afterwards proceeding to knock up Major Mair for a friendly interview.