NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1623, 3 May 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press agency.] ALEXANDRA, May 3. Major Wheoro’s canoes are hero to convey the Ministers to To Kopua. On tho way up Sir George distributed Bibles to a number of chiefs, and wrote their names on the fly leaf. The weather, which was very unpropitious, has now cleared up and promises favorably. Accommodation is most difficult to obtain at Alexandra, and will be worse as a number more have to arrive. The real business of the meeting cannot commence till Monday, as today will be past in feasting. The Ministerial party will be accommodated at the house of a half caste named Thompson, at Te Kopua, about a quarter of a mile from Tawhiao’s quarters, and under auspices of Rewi, at whose invitation he is present. It has been stated (that a letter was received from Ngakau, informing Sir George Grey that he must stay at Alexandra, but on being referred b y Major Wheoro to Tawhiao, he said he had given no such instructions, and it is believed to have emanated from some person antagonistic to the Government, The amount of food appears undirainished, and a large quantity will be again distributed to day, A number of missionaries are at Te Kopua, representing the Bible Society, and they consider their mission as of equal importance to that of Sir George Grey. The Rev. Buddie, ex-president of the Wesleyan Conference, is hero looking after the mission grants, tho leases of which are are nearly expired. The Government Surveyor came here to-day to intimate to tho Native Minister that some of the Ngatiraru were willing to complete the sale of tho Patetei and other blocks, between Cambridge and Tauranga, adjacent to the Ngbai Plains, containing about 500,000 acres of the finest land. This will bo welcome news for tho Land Purchase Department, who will be able to make a good show with such a block. The ceremony of welcome to Sir George, it is nderstood, will be something entirely out of the common lino, and will take up all tho afternoon. The Ministerial party includes all

the secretaries and under secretaries, Messrs Hobbs, McMannom, and George, M.H.R.s, nterproters and magistrates. Tu Tawhiao, the King’s son, sent a letter this moin'rg that all the younger members of the King’s family would await the arrival of the party at the house sot apart sor the reception of the Ministers.