WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 14, 3 October 1861, Page 3

WANGANUI.

The Natives. —There was a meeting in the beginning of the month at Kanihinihi, i-0 miles up the river, which was attended by at least 800 namen, women, and children, belonging to "Wanganui and Kangitiki. Several Waikalos were present, and also some ol the \*v aitetara native-. Anew church has teen erected there lately, which was formally opened on the Sunday by the Kcv. Mr. Taylor, at whose request the chief J.'ehi interdicted all political discussion on that day, and appointed policemen, who were relieved every two hours, to see that this request was carried* into elleet. On the Monday, the natives having assembled to discuss (he various questions to" be raised, requested Mr. Taylor to open the meeting, which be at first declined to do, but the lienor being pressed on him, ho addressed them to the following elleet : and it: was pleasant to find that the strain of advice which is attributed to some of the Church missionaries, is by no means universally indulged in by them. lie hoped that nothing would occur to disturb the harmony subsisting bet ween the two races. The liuropeans had conferred great benefits on the Maorics. lie bad observed a wonderful change in the natives since he came to the country. Tornierly (lie Maori was smeared over with red ochre and oil, and carried the (thi fi'.nli i (a saw made of sharks’ teeth used as a knife) to cut up human bodies for food ; but now these arid other evil practices had been given tip ; tiu\v had acquired useful knowledge of various kinds, were able to cultivate the ground, and clothed themselves in i uvopean garments. Not only then;.-elves, but also their country, was changed. The fern was replaced by gra-s, and the land was filled with animals which served as food—the cow, the sheep, and the pig. which their fail .ers kiu-w not. 1 uropcans were dwelling anmpg (hem, not as enemies, but as teachers and friends, and their own luture prospcrily'was bound up whh that of the paludal, fie was sorry to see (he efibris sonic were making to destroy tiie unity of til e two race:, to exclude, if possible, tbeir ! uvopean biethren from the land which was far more extensive than (hey required for themselves, as they could not cultivate if. If they sold (heir land to the i umuemnu -that which (hey retailed wouhl be of far more value Ilian the whole of what they at present had, and their own comfort would be greatly promt led, as was evident from the superiority of those who laid parted, with a portion oi their land, who had horses, cattle, and uncultivated ground to a much greater extent than oliiers. lie hoped that their good sense and I hrisl'.in feeling would influence them in all their Ced.berat ions. v ha!-ever pou ts of difference mught exist he hoped now that their old friend 8;r Meeree (drey was coming, such diiierenecs nr edit with hi'- r.s -isf pm? be ea-ily settled, ami lie tr.io.eJ (• at they wmi’d give him a cordial Weis' le. — ' hey then proceeded u du-cu-- s q.a-tion.-cf boundary among themselves, a ail lx tween them a:d t’-ic Oov.-rnment. 'these wore amicably armured. A di-euss’mi next arose as to the Idling r.u 1 riling of their lands jo I uropeaus. and it was ve.olvrl that each chief should have liberty to do weh his la id ;>s Ids tribe might see fit. These were the principal nailers under consideration. Tiure was no mention made of the King movement an.l it is evident th.'P so fur as the disposal of their land is concerned they have no intention off, mg under hi= cm tr.-l I hi* wa- ;d! the mure nnmi.-takeably evidenced that some of those present were King natives?, ami expected to be able to have the King ilag raised and a i oven cooked for lorn, as a sign of their being on bis side but the q oft and skilful manner in which the business wa--opened and conducted by lieio.e Name, churl ol the principal pa of the Ngatiruaka, who spoke at first in such a manner as to lead to the belief that, he was in favour of the King---pre-vented his adherents from having an opportunity of discussing and rec.ommending (heir opinions.