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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 454, 27 December 1866, Page 3

Payment oe the Purchase Money op Manxvvato.—The Wanganui Times of the 18th Inst., says—“ Owing to the inclement state of the weather, thefuuil settlement of this important negotiation took place in the Runanga House on Saturday last. The Superintendent opened the proby saying that before handing over the money lie had a pleasing duty to perform. It was at Parewanui, exactly three years ago, that Governor Urmia first proposed as the moans of adjusting this long ponding dispute that the whole block should be sold to the Government. During those three years many equally important meetings has taken place at that settlement. At the Takapu meeting in April last, it was decided that the great meeting should take place here, aud the money divided here. They had now met to carry out the decision of that meeting. The discussions had been brought to a close, aud it now only remained for him to hand over the money. Before doing so, however, ha was anxious, in commemoration of those important events to make Governor Hunia a present, and he could think of none more appropriate than a ring. They all knew that when a man and a woman appeared at the alter to be joined together in holy matrimony, the bridegroom presented a ring to ths bride as a token that henceforth they wera one, and had each taken the other for better or for worse, la the same way ho trusted that the ring which he presented to Governor Hunia would indicate that the long standing feud between the tribes would now be healed, and that who had been engaged in past disputes would henceforth be one j living in peace and harmony,—remaining as they hitherto had been, loyal to the Queen, and ready at all times to suoport law aud order. The Superintendent then presented the ring to Governor Hunia with a wish that ho might long live to wear it. The money was then handed over to the chiefs appointed by the tribes to receive it. The weather having cleared up, the meeting repaired to the flag-staff, where chief after chief rose up aud expressed his gratification at the satisfactory termination of the proceedings, and rejoiced that the only cause of discord between the tribes had been now removed. They one aud all expressed their determination to assist the Queen’s Government, if called upon to do so, in any part of the island where their services might be required. Songs were then sung bidding a final farewell to the land. Then followed a war-dance in which from 300 to 400 took part, and upon this occasion the parties were of mixed tribes. The dance over, two builooka tiiat had been cooked whole in a Maori oven supplied more substantial enjoyment, and the evening closed with the kindly congratulations upon ail sides, and hearty cheers for the Superintendent and Mr Buller as they left ths ground. At the special request of the natives, Mr Buller remains until Wednesday or Thursday nest.” The Panama Service. —A Telegram received from Hokitika announces the arrival of Mr Crosbie Ward there from Sydney, bringing intelligence that his mission lias resulted in a settlement of the agreement between New Zealand and .New South Wales to contribute jointly towards the payment of the Panama subsidy. As might have been anticipated, Sydney is to remain the terminus, that point having been conceded long ago, when we first asked Us aid. Apart from this, the colonies are to be on an equal footing, and there is a prospect that the service will be further supported in Australia, as a postal conference will be held at Melbourne in February to arrange the amount of contribution from those places which, benefit by the service. It is, moreover, satisfactory to find that the Sydney Parliament, despite its recent hostile attitude, has voted the full subsidy of 5,'53,000 for the following as well as the current year. The tenor of previous advices was not very hopeful, and the debates in the New South Wales Assembly wore almost hostile in tone, so that we did not expect the next news to be particularly cheering. Under these circumstances it is very pleasant to find that there is to be no backing out, and that the colony of New south Wales will perform its pledge thoroughly and loyally.—Wellington IndepuUvUiit, 18th December,