NATIVE AND DEFENCE INTEL LICENCE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1677, 5 July 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AND DEFENCE INTEL LICENCE.

[Press Special Wire.] THB WAIKATO NATIVES. AUCKLAND, July 4. An important meeting of Kingites wa* held at Te Kopua yesterday. Tawhiao sent a special messenger to Auckland to communicate the proceedings to the press agents, in order that they may be published in newspapers throughout the colony. The meeting was held at Alex. Thompson’s house, at Tc Kopua, where the Government party stayed at the late meeting. Tawhiao and about forty others were present. Europeans wore sot permitted to be present. The meeting was held at 8 p.m. last night. Tawhiao commenced tho discussion. He said—“ What is the cause of this trouble at Taranaki between To Whiti and Grey P Why are men being an sited by Europeans? My heart it very dark ia consequence of this

work, lest it should be said I am the cause of it.”

To Potatahi was tho next speaker. He said—“ I do not understand the cause of this work. To Whiti must be responsible for it. It is a work of confusion. It does not emanate from Tawhiao, If To Whiti and the Government desire to continue this work, they must confine it to their own place. They must not complicate Waikato. Let there be no trouble here. It is for Sheehan and Te Whiti to settle it between them.”

Wahanui ( Ngatimaniopoto ) : —I hare nothing to say about this work at Taranaki. It is for Te Whiti to settle this. Ho alone is responsible. It is no affair of mine.

Pukukoehatu said—l have no word to say. It is for Tawhiao and Te Wahanui to speak with reference to this trouble. lam not tho man to trouble with this work.

Whitiora said—l am not responsible for Te Whitt’s work. Te Whiti is one and Sheehan is another. It is for Grey and Sheehan to stop that work. Honana Te Waiho said—l don't approve of the action of Te Whiti at all. All I have to do is to adhere to what was said at Kopua meeting, when Tawhiao laid down his word that there must be no fighting in this island, that war must be put ontside. Tawhiao said—“ I have been looking into the cause of tho trouble at Taranaki, and the imprisoning of the men. I have seen the news in the papers. What is the cause ? I want to ask Sheehan whence are the people who are now causing this trouble. Are they from Waikato ? Whence are they ? We are here in our places adhering to what I said at last meeting that there should be no war, no war, no war. I will ask Sheehan thia question—Whence re these people ? Let them not complicate Waikato.* I like them not to involve my people.” This ended the discussion. It is now understood that Tawhaio and Eewi will telegraph to Mr Sheehan. Eewi is at his settlement at Puniu, but he wrote a letter to Tawhiao, which was read at the meeting, and was to the following effect:—“l don’t understand the meaning of arresting these men. You bad better ask Sheehan and Grey what is the cause of this trouble.” The messenger says the Hauhaus are in a slate of alarm at affairs in Taranaki lest war should spread to Waikato. They feel that Sir G.,Grey went away from Te Kopua angry, and has resolved to make war. Many of the Hauhaus said yesterday—“ Where have we guns or powder to resist tho pakehas if they attack us? We can only be quiet, and Ist them kill us without resistance. Tawhiao and his people are also intensely afraid that the prisoners will be sent to some distant island, in the same manner as prisoners during the war were sent to the Chathams. Tawhiao was so anxious to represent his irresponsibility for the present trouble in Taranaki, that he wauled a messenger to go direct to Wellington to state his views to the Government. The Hauhaus are in such a state of alarm that very few of them will venture across the confiscated boundary. This information is thoroughly reliable, and is published at Tawhiao’* urgent request. The messenger left Alexandra this morning. NEW PLYMOUTH, July 4. Thirty-four White Cliffs ploughman were brought before the Police Court this afternoon, and committed to Wellington gaol until delivered in due course of law. Eoiri, the chief, said—“ We are the arms. It is the body that works. We work as the body directs. Te Whiti sent ua, and I agreed with my people to obey." WELLINGTON, July 4.

Mr James Mackay has been appointed Government agent on the West Coast. His salary is said to be £7OO per annum. The Hinemoa will bring back from Taranaki fifty-three political ploughmen. The Native Minister received a telegram from Hawera stating that seven more Maori ploughmen had been arrested by an unarmed body of Constabulary, but protected by a covering party. They are to be taken to Patea to-night, and if committed for trial will be sent to Wellington.

It has been decided that all Natives in custody, except seventeen arrested near New Plymouth, shall be tried in Wellington. All along the coast the Constabulary and settlers are in a good position for any eventuality. Amongst the Natives arrested near Waihi to-day, was the nephew of Tito Kow&ru. It is rumored that Kokiri and party will ploug;h to-morrow at the same place. The party was under the leadership of Waifcawakai, and he refused to answer any questions pat to him by Major-Brown. It is understood that if the Natives, when on trial, desire the presence of witnesses on their behalf, the Government will pay the expenses to and from Wellington. A detachment of Constabulary have jus gone aboard the Hinemoa, which leaves at three in the morning. Each man had a pair of handcuffs.

The Waverley Maoris, captured at Normanby yesterday, were escorted by the Wairoa Light Horse Volunteers. Among the prisoners taken to-day at Hawera are Kokorori and Te Mani, the Native who was rescued out of the coach on hia way to New Plymouth to be committed on a charge of biting Mrs Bartlett’s fingers. There are other notorious Maoris amongst them, who names had not been obtained of the Maoris anested at Waihi.

It is understood that the Native prisoners will retain Dr. Buller, and very probably he will receive the assistance of the Natives. Subscriptions are being raised amongst the Wellington Natives towards the costs of the trial.

Rewi wired to Mr Sheehan to-day his hearty approval of the steps the Government are taking respecting the political ploughmen on the West Coast, and especially approves of his proceeding by civil process against the Natives, instead of by armed force. Fourteen more Native* were arrested this afternoon at Finlayson’s, close to Waihi. Thu Maoris were also ploughing Kyngdon's land, at Manganui, near Waitara, but hesitated when warned by Kyngdon as to the consequences they were entailing on themselves The party who arrested the Maoris at Waihi also took possession of their ploughs and cattle. It is stated that the Government will make provision this session for leasing and selling Native lands by auction.