THE GREAT MEETING AT PERIA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 76, 11 December 1862, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE GREAT MEETING AT PERIA.

(From a correspondent of the Aucklander) An acquaintance who assisted at the political festivities at Peria, given by the Premier, Wi Tamihana, gave me the following account of the proceedings : “Great was the meeting. There were the tribes from Ahuriri, from Rotorua, from Taupo, from Taranaki, from Waikato ; all were there except the Ngatimaniapoto. There were four thousand. The only pakeha there was Bishop Selwyn. The food was abundant - flour and pork. "Thus spoke King Matutaera : ‘Listen! the thousands from my tribes of New Zealand. There are three great and good works—Religion, the Laws, and cherishing the Europeans. ° If evil [war] comes, let not the evil come from the Maori : let the evil come from the Governor.’ “There was a great talk about road-making. It was decreed that the Maungatawhiri road must stop there, and that the Whangaroa road to Waipa must stop when it reaches the boundary of the native land. “There was talk about leasing land; the custom was not approved, but some will lease. Te Ari Ari of Maungatawhiri has leased, and has now sheep and cattle on his land. “About Waitara it was decided, that owing to the wrong of the Governor [Browne?] no further enquiry shall be allowed. At this decision, the Bishop was dark, and said, ‘I, the Bishop, Judge Martin, and Mr. Fox, are the friends of the Maori: now you are perverse, and have no more occasion for us.’ “At a convenient time, Wi Tamihana will hold a Runanga at Parata, to enquire into the reason of Wi Nero having driven away Watene from his cultivations there. “ Mr. Heather is going to leave Waipa, and he is sending away his cattle and sheep ; the Honorable Mr. Tomati Napora, ambassador from the Court of Ngaruawahia to the Government at Auckland, having negociatcd, and her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia (I give the titles of these distinguished personages, omitted by my friend in

conversation) having consented to exchange land in the neighborhood of Auckland for Mr. Heather’s farm in Waipa. There wore many other trifling subjects of discussion, not worth repeating.” Doubtless, and also subjects of great importance, such as the projected Maori and French alliance, discussed in secret conclave. In answer to the question, whether anything new had appeared from the Ngaruawahia press, my friend said— “The want is a printer; there will soon be one on the return of the son of the Rev. Seth Tarawaiiki, who is being taught printing ot Bishop’s College, Auckland.” Waitetuna, Nov. 17, 18G2.