THE LATE NATIVE MEETING.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 238, 13 March 1865, Page 2

THE LATE NATIVE MEETING.

We have already given our readers a brief notice of a groat Maori meeting held on the 7th inst. at the pa Pakowai at which Mr Cooper Civil Commissioner, a number of native chiefs discussed the present aspect of the war question and the appearance of the Pai Marire amongst us. We nowgive a report of the speeches made on the occasion. Habawtra Tatebk, of W aim araraa—Come, Cooper, come and hear the talk of former times. Though other tribes have caused disturbances, we never have. We have not yet been hungry, either Pakeha or Maori. If any disturbance should arise, we meet and consult one another; by this means we go on without any mi sun ders tan din g. Come here and listen, though it he the same talk of former times; listen to the talk of Heretaunga; seek out our good conduct. We were yet living in peace when we are again startled. Come, it is the old word; the minor subjects of this place will take time, but the main one is of old standing. Some of the tribes have answered the call, hut some have not. At Waikato they have aggravated one another till they came to grief; hut here matters have been investigated and settled.

No v, of Te Karamu—The reason of the calling of this meeting is darkness. The former one at Pa Whakairo was the same, to search out some plan hy which we might maintain peace. We have succeeded, and strangers have travelled over our regulations, but without the effect of causing disturbance. One of our number, Paora Toki, triad Co disturb us, but to no purpose. Now he has repeated the attempt, which has caused us to meet here to-day. Come; it is on this account that we shall draw the boundary for this “ hau” at the back of this mountain range—going from thence to Wanganui and to Tauranga; this side to remain peaceable. Nothing has as yet happened, therefore let it remain so. It was; formerly arranged that you, Mr. 31-Lean, should prevent any intruders on your side, and we on ours; therefore,this “ hau” must return to the hack of this mountain, and we shall remain as before. You prevent on your side, and wa on ours, any evil that may come among us. Kaeattiana Takasioana, of Pakowhai—There is one thing in Noa’s speech that has been omitted, that is the inducement of their coming here. This meeting says the same as Noa, but it was formerly arranged that this place should be open to travellers so long as they travelled in peace, but they (the presentparty) have erred in teaching these people, which will lead to confusion. If they wish to come, let them come and do what they want. Return (addressing the party), there is not many here, either Pakeha or Maori. There are plenty of soldiers at Tauranga, at Taranaki, and at Auckland, thousands. We said before, let the one fight determine the point; if you beat us then we will be your servants, bnt if we beat you then you will be ours. Both of us—Pakehas and Maoris—sent people up to the war from here, but that has made no difference between us. Some of our people who have joined the hau say that it was on account of their ailments that they joined, to get relief, but to no purpose. My wish is that all of you should have been here. Taupo Hau (Taupo natives who have joined the hau) and Taupo kore Hau (those of Taupo who have not joined) is the boundary, and on to Wanganui. There are some of both parties here; they can say for themselves whether they came of themselves or whether they were invited hy Paora Toki. Potatau said, when their King movement was in proper working order then carry it into other parts—thus with this hau. I say let them try it properly at home before bringing it here. Renata Kawepe —Come, Cooper, our talk is of old. Formerly I was dark, when no blood was shed, but now it is different. I thought the King’s party would have been jealous of our prosperity, and might have come to disturb us, but uow that they have fought and fallen, I am clear in mind. There are no tribes that went and returned without a thrashing. There are no tribes now to molest us and to make bad our talk; we cau now talk plainly and without fear. They are tired and beaten. Those who have joined this hau have done so on account of their different ailments. They tell us that they have several prophets, one of whom is Te Kupeuga. These can take them through all kinds of difficulties. But these hungry fellows, they have come here to be fed; they have no place of their own, as Waikato is gone, and now that they are in good quarters they begin teaching this hau. They can go home.

Mr Cooper—These are very satisfactory speeches, and I am glad to hear that you don’t intend to allow this superstition to spread in lleretaunga. Xobody nowadays quarrels with his neighbour about his religious belief. You see each religion worshipping in its own way, and no one takes any notice; and if the Hau-hau were, like other religions, only a thing affecting the souls of men, nobody would interfere. But this is different from any other religion X ever heard of. Its avowed object is to destroy the bodies of men, for when it has been carried throughout Xew Zealand, the pakehas and all the Maoris who refuse to conform to it are to be destroyed. Even knowing this to be their belief, 1 did not at first feel much startled at the appearance of this party among us. But when a few days after their arrival letters began to pour in upon me from all directions, warning me of evil, I thought it was time to take some steps. 1 was told in these letters that the Hau-hau had made many converts, and that evii was to follow close upon their heels. One man told me that 80 prophets were to come down escorted by 500 men, with 500 guns in their hands; another chief earnestly asked me to join him in rising to expel the Ilauhau by force. I have received heaps of similar letters from all directions, and two days ago I got one from Mohaka, saying that a party of 200 had arrived at the Uriwera country with three European heads and a prisoner, to show how they could thrash the pakelm, as a moans of obtaining recruits. Who would not be startled with such letters as these pouring in upon him daily. Then I thought I wouid apply to the chiefs of lleretaunga to see what could bo done to avert the threatened danger. You know as well as I do that your every movement is eagerly watched by many other tribes—by Wairarapa, by the West Coast, and by many to the Xorth, as far at least as furanga, all of whom look up to lleretaunga as an example. The chiefs of this province are the richest in New Zealand—in stock, m food, and in money, drawing many thousands of pounds every year as rents. They have a great name in the country, and are naturally looked up to, and their example is followed by other tribes; and it is a well-known fact that this district being at peace has kept many others tranquil also. I may mention Wairarapa, as I see chiefs from thence present, and they can contradict mo if 1 am wrong. Well, then, this being the ciise, it behoves us all to be especially cautious as to bow wo act. Just consider the effect of a report going abroad that Heretaunga had gone over to the Hau-hau. Xu conclusion, 1 repeat that I am glad to have heard you speak as you have done, and 1 feel confident that you will join with the pakeha in endeavoring to preserve tranquility, and to keep the good name that the chiefs of lleretaunga have so justly earned. Answered by Xoa—You are right in saying that it will be bad if this lleretaunga looses its name, “ Tauira.” I have already beard that this is to be the door, once it is opened, every tribe on all sides will join—Turanga as well as other places. KARAirrANA—It is true that this breakout, this teaching is for us; but we have heard nothing about that part that there are 80 prophets and 500 armed men to support them. We have heard of a party who came from Taranaki with a pakoha’s head, who were not to call at Heretaunga, hut to go on by the back country to some place on the coast about Tolago Bay. Paora Kopakau, of Te Hauke—What you say is true ; this party is Poll rirl /core fan appellation of their own, the meaning of which cannot be arrived at except that It is a name given to a certain sect), this, and the next. But the third is to fight. Eenata heard it from Paora Toki, and so did Morena. Hoani Waikato, of Te Aute—This talk of Paora Toki’s is true which Eenata heard;' this was Poti riri /core, and next, then came Maui and SO prophets, and 300 men bearing arms to come to Maui and Potatau [the name of the two flags—the one at Petani is “Maui,” and Hapnku “Potatau”]. If the Pakehas interfered with them they would fight. This would take place when Waikato was broken up. When Moana Nui died, and I took Hone to Waikato. I told them to be cautious, and let tbo pakeha strike the first blow. On my return I brought back Maui with me. I did not mean any harm, but now that evil is made of it, I shall keep it down. Karaitiana and Eenata, who have the land and rents, at once put it down to themselves as intended for them. Kahauria Pdpu—My motive in getting up is that a partial caution only has been given to the hau party to stay hack; but what I say is—as there are several present—go back, stay away altogether; this is the object of this meeting. These parties will not stop here; they will come again and again, and cause excitement; therefore I say, every one go back to their own place that they may karakia properly, and not come here to be laughed at and their karakia mocked by us.