MEETING BETWEEN MR. FIRTH AND THE KING PARTY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 135, 11 June 1869, Page 2

MEETING BETWEEN MR. FIRTH AND THE KING PARTY.

The Weekly News has received the following telegrams from the Waikato : — Alexandra, Jane 3, 11.30 a.m. Mr. Firth and party met Tamati Ngapora, the King's Prime Minister, and other leading chiefs of the King party, on Tuesday last at Oraliiri, having been thus permitted to cross the aukati. Rewi of the Ngalimaninpoto was absent. About 100 Maori chiefs and followers were present. Mr. Firth and party were received with great ceremony, ond Hauhau prayers to Tawhiao and for peace. The korero was then commenced, both sides being very cautious. After four hours' discussion, it; was agreed to meet next morning. Wednesday, Juue 2. This morning the meeting was reopened at 8 o'clock, and a discussion of four hours and a half ensued. The King party, decided not to meet the Prince nor the Governor. Tamati Ngapora said they had never promised to meet either. Te ti Wheoro and the Kupapa chiefs have been used disgracefully. Tamati says they only came to Ngaruawahia to eat loaves — that is their work. Tamati theu offered the following terms : — 1. Acknowledge the Maori Kiug within certain districts. 2. All fighting to cease on both sides throughout the island. 3. General amnesty to be- proclaimed, and all murderers pardoned. 4. The whole of the Waikato to Mauugatawhiri to be given back to the King natives. Mr. Firth, replied : The first two propositions would probably be assented to by his Excelleucy the Governor. As to the 3rd, it was a very difficult .question to give a decided answer upon, but perhaps it would be agreed to. In regard to tho 4th, it would be utterly impossible to hope for this proposal to be acceded to, and he could not carry back such propositions. Portions of the Waikato mi«jht certainly bo given back. Tamati Napora said whether the Governor acknowledged (he King or not, it was a matter of perfect indifference. The Maoris would still have him as before, and the Waikatos would no doubt have the whole of the land returned. A letter dated 6th March, written by Sir William Martin to Tamati Ngapora, stating that the whole of WaU kato would be given up, was produced* It was said " the canoa would not be broken." Mr Firth s»id they could nofi expect them to restore the dead to life, or plunder to be returned, anil Waikato was dead to them. If the King party gave him a letter asking assent to first, second, and third propositions, also requesting a portion of the Waikato to be returned, he would make it his business to lay it before the Governor and endeavour to bring it about. Tamati Ngapora replied, " Ycu are our letter," But persisted in demanding the whole of the Waikato. Mr. Firth positively refused to carry back such terms.