CANTERBURY.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 March 1861, Page 7

CANTERBURY.

Our latest reports from Canterbury are very satisfactory. The natives there, though few in number, are peaceful, industrious, and prosperous. Towards the close of last year the principal native Chiefs of the district met the Provincial authorities in the Town Hall, ;>t Christchurch, -and a very interesting and friendly interchange of views and opinions took place. The natives condemned in strong terms the proceedings of Wiremu Kingi at Taranaki, and those adherents of the Maori King who have have come to his assistance ; at the same time expressing much sympathy for the Pakeha settlers who have suffered by the war. Full reports of this meeting have been sent to us, but our unusually iieavy press of matter has hitherto prevented their publication. We hope to find room for them in our next issue. The Canterbury natives did not stop short with their expressions of sympathy. As an earnest of their sincerity, they raised by subscription among themselves a sum of about fifty pounds, and paid it into the hands of their minister, requesting him to forward it to the Treasurer of the Taranaki KeliefFund as their free-will offering to the destitute Pakehas.

The Kaiapoi people have adopted the wise plan of endowing their churches out of their land reserves. Last year they gave twenty acres to the Church of England for church purposes, and now the.y have determined on making a similar grant to the Wesleyan Church, A correspondent has furnished us with the following report of their meeting where this matter was arranged:— On the 11 tli day of December last, a meeting of natives took place in the church at Kaiapoi. The people of Kaiapoi, of Rapaki, of Port Levy, and of other settlements were present. At 11 a.m the Rev. Mr. Buller and the Rev. Mr. Stack arrived, the natives having previously assembled. The meeting was opened with prayer, and then Mr. Buller addressed the people on the subject which had brought them together. He was followed by Mr. Stack; after which speeches were delivered by John Paratene, Jacob Te Ataotu, Peter Te Hori, Albert Koti, Isaiah Taihewa, ilamuera, Horomona, Hopa, Te Watikini, Pera, Hapakuku, and some others. Two objects were brought before this meeting, viz.:— 1. To give to the Wesleyan Church a piece of land equal in extent to that bestowed on the Church of England last year. The meeting has agreed that when the person appointed to subdivide the remaining blocks shall arrive, this piece shall be pointed out, and given into Ihaia's charge. 2. To lay down rules for the members of the two churches, that they may be united in purpose. Mr. Buller and Mr. Stack having expressed a desire to work in concert, and the Bishop having consented, it is now agreed that each settlement shall have but one place of worship, for the common use of both churches. The monitors for each settlement to be selected hy both (acting in unison). The sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to be administered to all by the minister of either church, so that there may bs no division (among the people). The plan proposed to be adopted in the churches has become clear. The Rev. Mr. Stack has been set apart wholly for the native work. This matter having been disposed of, the natives brought forward a petition to the Provincial Council of Canterbury, praying for the erection of a native hostelry at Christchurch. The signatures of all present were then affixed. The meeting closed its proceedings about 3 p.m.