AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 227, 15 February 1865, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

CONCLUSION OP THE RANGITOTO KORERO. (From the New Zealander , January 23.) Wo are in receipt of a despatch from our Te Awamutu correspondent, dated the 19th instant, reporting the close of the native meeting at Hangatxki. Our correspondent states that the korero had closed, Rewi and William Thompson having addressed the assembly. These natives had arrived at Te Awamutu on the 18th, being the bearers of letters from Wm. Thompson, for his Excellency the Governor and Brigadier-General Carey. The natives who had remained at Rangitoto after the late meeting, proceeded to Hangatiki on the 12th inst., the distance being about five milea from the one place to the other. The whole body consisted of the king, Thompson, 300 men, and about 200 women and children. At Hangatiki they were welcomed by 800 men and 900 women and children.' The whole of the men were drawn up in military order, the same as soldiers upon parade. All made several obeisances to the king when assembled, and, after a short prayer, dispersed to build a runanga house for the Grand Council. All the arrangements were completed by the evening of the 13th, and at ten o’clock on the following day the natives assembled to the Grand Council, being called together by a native making proclamation in Maori—“ Assemble hither, assemble hither! our discussion is begun.” 1 ho king was not present, he being reported to be suffering from indisposition. Rewi first addressed the meeting, and was followed by William Thompson and others of less note. We give the conclusion of our correspondent’s letter: “Nothing was said during the discussion in reference to Taranaki and Wanganui, and the determination arrived at by the chiefs appears to be to remain in a state of quiescense until attacked by the pakeha. Whether peace can be made, or long maintained upon the terms desired by the natives, is a difficult question. They say nothing of the Queen s supremacy ; nothing of delivering up arms ; not a word of giving up murderers; nothing, in fact, but that, if not attacked by us, they will permit us to remain in a state of peace which would be as hollow as it would be transient and fatal to the interests of this province, who have made sacrifices of property, time, money, and even of their own lives, to insure their future safety.”