RANGIAWHIA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 74, 27 November 1862, Page 3

RANGIAWHIA.

(From the correspondent, of the Southern Cross.) November 2nd, 18G2. The great meeting of natives at Poria is nearly over. Many have left; and others still there ; I presume, to discuss certain topics which had been brought on the tapis. My native informant tells me that Win. Thompson got up and spoke as follows—viz., “ We must not allow a steamer to enter Waikato : we must not allow a bridge over Maungatawhiri; neither must we allow the road now making at Eaglan to cross the Waitetuna —to which all were unanimous. It is said that Thompson merely put this forth as a feeler ; and it is also said that if Thompson knew how to extricate himself from the position in which he has placed himself, that ho would not hesitate to do so; but there is the diillculty—ho cannot well withdraw from the league, being, I may say, the first to put in in motion. The Taranaki question was warmly discussed. Thompson, finding the majority were opposed to having it settled by arbitration, gave his vote with the majority, which I am sorry to say does not look like a peaceful solution of the Taranaki difficulty. I may here mention that some of them said that if the troops were removed from Waitara they might possibly enter into some indefinite arrangement. Bishop Selwyn, who was present, told them that the purport of his visit there was to endeavour to get the Taranaki question settled in a just and peaceful manner; but, I fear, all his good intentions were of no avail. All allusion was made to the letter sent by Sir George Grey to Matutaera, which appears to have given great offence; still many of them can see how just the remarks, made by His Excellency in that letter, are. Anything which appears to them like dictation they arc utterly opposed to ; hence, I fear, and feel much regret in saying so, that a peaceful solution of affairs is as far oil’ as ever—(probably farther.) W. King!, the Taranaki chief opposed to government, and who is residing at or near Itangiawhia, says that so soon as the road which is being carried on at Taranaki reaches a block of his land, which intervenes between government land and the Tataramaika block, that it will bo opposed ; consequently we know not the hour we may bo thrown into a war—and 1 say such is our uncertain position. As much as 1 admire the determined forbearance of Sir George Grey, and his unceasing endeavours (o bring things to a peaceful termination, I very much fear that more harsh measures will have to be adopted. However that may be, 1 trust that whatever step Sir George Grey may take (o settle the very difficult question that he will not have one colonist to dissent from any measure he may deem it prudent to adopt knowing the arduous undertaking he has before him—not even a Canon Stowell. At the same time it is fo be hoped that a settlement, one way or the other, will not be deferred too long. The Mamigalautavi chief, To IJori Hori, Ims sent a letter to .Sir George Grey, inviting him up. But why lias not Thompson done this ? One question has occured to me; would it be prudent for Sir George Grey to come so far! My humble opinion has been, and is now, that if a meeting be wished for by Thompson, Maungatawhiri would appear to be the most fitting place for such an assembly, for more reasons than one. From what I can see every endeavour is being made to strengthen the king movement. 1 have frequently mentioned that the Maoris have very bad advisers, and I fear some are living amongst them. The natives are very ready to listen to anything that meets their view, such as being told “ our government have no right to make roads over their land,” &c. These remarks must necessarily increase the difficulties that Sir George Grey has to contend with. Are these advisers, friends or enemies to the natives? I should say their greatest, enemies. It is nothing more or less }han telling them to oppose our government, which may lead to their destruction, though that is fearful to contemplate. However, Sir George Grey will have this consolation, that ho has done all in his power to bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion.