THE PARIAKA MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 230, 29 September 1870, Page 2

THE PARIAKA MEETING.

ARRIVAL OF TITO KOWABU. (JFrom the Taranahi Herald.) On the moruiug of tbe 21st, intelligence was brought to Pariaka that Tito Kowaru was close at hand ; and tbe natives of that village left for the purpose of welcoming him in their usual style. Each had a branch of some tree in their hand, which, as they walked, they waved above their heads ; at the same time, uttering a cry of welcome. As Tito Kowaru and his followers drew near it was found that there were eighty men and six women. The men are described as being very powerful, and were dressed in the usual bush costume — a plaid shawl fastened round their hips, and shirts over their bodies, and on the head of each were white feathers. Tito Kowaru, with his one eye, and horrid lookiug countenance, was superbly dressed for a Maori chief. He wore a mat made of very fine native flax, the fringe of which was composed of green and white feathers. On his head he had a cap formed from the plumage of some black bird, and in the centre, stautliDg up iv front of the peak, ! was a scarlet feather. Beneath the mat might be seen a plaid shawl which was tied round his hips and which reached beiow his knees ; he also had on a new plaid shirt. On Tito Kowaru coming within speaking distance, much was said both by Mr. Parris and the rebel that it would be impossible to put on paper. Accusations were made on one side to be repudiated by the other, and vice versa. The Civil Commissioner called upon his natives not to look upon the man who had defiled himself. Tito Kowaru abused Mr. Parris in return, and so Wednesday passed, and, according to native custom, we suppose, after each side had exhausted their supply of abuse, they were ready to talk seriously ; Tito Kowaru was then invited into the village, but, before entering, when about a huudred yards off, they all discharged their firearms, and came forward with their guns unloaded. Upon arriving at the camp Titoko Waru expressed a wish to be informed " what all the talk had been about." Mr. Parris having explained, some bantering took place between Te Whiti and Titoko Waru, when j Mr. Parris got up and said : Every one who assembled at the meeting had been invited by a notice sent by Te Whiti to j them. That notice stated that the meeting at Pariaka was to be the salvation of all, but there was ouly one way of settling the thing, that was by allowing the leading men of the country to meet the Governor, and ialk the matter over, and to try to I bring about a better state of things. Te Whiti was somewhat excited at this, because the natives seemed to agree with the Civil Commissioner's remarks, and some of Tito Kowaru's people cried out " Parris is right." Te Whiti said : I see and hear. You all approve of what Parris lies said ; even Tito Kowaru's people are with him. Go every one of you with him, and fulfil your hearts' desire — kill, andeat each other, get drunk, commit adultery, sell lands, make roads — do everything the wicked are intended for — but don't look back on me afterwards. To this Mr. Parris replied, and Te Whiti endeavored to laugh the matter off, and then Tito Kowaru coming into the centre with a bright double-barrelled gun in his hand, said : I have come to Pariaka, I now return to Ngatimaru. I shall turn my back upon Taumatamahoe, and Tawhana (meaning the whole of the Ngatimaniapoto). Tawhanu's work is his and I have nothing to do with it. My eyes turn to Ngaire and to the sea. My mind night and day is only thinking of Ngaire, I will never strike another blow unless I am attacked. If my face is scratched I shall retaliate. Oh, all ye people assembled, I now bid you farewell. Igoto my camp for the night, and in the morning leave on my homeward journey. Several asked him to stop, and asked him if he was angry by his leaving so quickly. He said no, but what is there in the talk, I have heard what you said, but I don't see the end. It is useless, you call the peopte from the right and from the left — you say nothing — no more. Tito Kowaru then rose, and he and his followers left in a body. Thus ended the Pariaka meeting, over which much excitement has been occasioned over the colony.

The following appears in ike Melbourne Age — Among the many suggestions which have emanated from various sourcesonthe subject of defences, there has been one thrown out which has decidedly the merit of originality. It; has teen suggested that, in place of attempting to iron-plate the old Nelson so as to render her a more efficient means of defence, her sides should be protected above water line by bales of compressed wool fixed on her side so as to form a kind of breastwork from the. water's edge upwards. This protection, it is asserted, will be found as effective as, if not more so, that any iron plating which could be carried out in this colony, while it would possess the advantage of being much lighter, cheaper, and more easily and rapidly effected than the other plan.