A NATIVE PEACE-MAKING.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1541, 27 January 1879, Page 3

A NATIVE PEACE-MAKING.

[Special Wire*] Wanoarei, January 25. The two tribes, at the head of which are Tanrau and Tirau, and Hira and Nitana, were nearly coming to blows lately over the Waitomatomo block. On one occasion they met, and fired over each other’s heads. Had they begun war. the whole North would have been involved. Mr Nelson, the Government agent, kept tilings in stain pin pending the arrival of the Native Minister. Mr Sheehan arrived none too soon, for the day previously the Porota Natives sent a written challenge to Tanrau to light bis fires, as they werero nly. they having fortified themselves at Porota. On his arrival Mr Sheehan went to Tanrau, a great old warrior, who welcomed him in the usual stylo. The day before Tanrau had married a young Maori widow, and, but for his

marriage, would have accepted the ch dlenge. Mr Sheehan consequently found Taurau in reasonable mood, and the latter concluded to make peace by leaving the matter in Mr Sheehan’s hands. Next day Mr Sheehan went to Porota and ashed Him and Nitana, the chiefs of the other side, whether they wished to make peace ou a lasting footing, stated that Taurau had loft the matter in his hands. After a little ta'k, the Porota Natives agreed to the terms previously proposed by Mr Nelson, and also loft the matter in the bands of Mr Sheehan, who with his friends stipulated that the Natives should at once put the Waitomatomo block through the Native Lands Court, and sell to the G ivernmeut. To this they agreed. Taurau, when visiting the Waitomatomo some years ago, destroyed a settlement there, burning whares and breaking up plantations. It is a fine block of land. Mr Sheehan also stipulated that the Porota Natives should accompany him then to Taurau, that the two tribes might become friends again. They consented, and about fifty Porota Natives mounted their horses and rode to Taurau, to whom a a messenger had been sent advising him of the approaches of his late enemies. On their arrival Taurau came forward, bearing in hand a white flag, while the women waved garments and welcomed the visitors. The meeting of Taurau with the other chiefs was a most affecting sight. Taurau was greatly moved as he saw his own people rubbing noses with the Natives, with whom they had been at enmity for nearly two years. They then brought a gun out, and laid it at the feet of Mr Sheehan, who subsequently demanded ami obtained, according to Maori custom, two bullocks as payment for his services. After this Taurau invited all his late enemies to a ball, given that night in honor of his wedding. All the Natives came in together, about IGO strong. On approaching the township, at the request of the Native Minister, the whole cavalcade formed two deep, and in this order cantered into the town, presenting one of the most lively and striking spectacles over witnessed in these parts. The Natives wore jubilant that Mr Sheehan had also made some provision for Native roads to the extent of £6OO, and Native schools at Nguangu. In the evening Europeans and Natives attended the ball, and a most successful affair it proved. In the middle of the pro gramme the Natives danced the haka with great enthusiasm. Mrs Nicodemus, of the Thames, sang some solos with so much taste and effect tlat the Europeans were as much surprised as the Natives.