INTER-PROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 32, 6 February 1875, Page 2

INTER-PROVINCIAL.

[Pbess Agency.]

Wellington. Friday. The following 1b an account of the Native Minister's riveting Avith King Tawhiao: — On the 31st ultimo the Native Minister received a written invitation from Tawhiao to pay him a visit at Watonga, about half way between the Europan boundary and his j principal settlement at Te Kuiti. On Mon-J day, February 1, two well manned canoe/f cime down to-take the Native Minister anfl his party up. On Tuesday, at 4 a.m., tUe Native Minister and party started^ and f/r---rived at Louis Hert's at 3 p.m. Major fre Wheoro, Paul Thereare, Hore, Te One, the Rev Wdliam Patere, Te Awatiti, and otler chiefs proceeded to Tawhiao's village tiat evening, and on the 3rd the Native Minister with Mes ra Kemp, Mair, Bush, and Davie* visited Tawhiao. They were received with the usual welcomes and waving of stiawU, and on their coming close to the place two if Tawhiao's head chiefs came out uncovered to lead the Native Mi;dster to the place assigned to strangers. After the usual lapse of time\ it was announced that Tawh'ao would come and make.a set fpetch. which hud not been his previous practice. The substance of his speech was a welcome to the Native Minister, and some allusion to the restontipa of Walkato. JThe Native Minister replied that his being welcomed was not a new thing, that Tawhiao's f ther. who was now gone, had done it before him, and it wwrb^t right that he should do so also. Having only just arrived (he said) I will not now reply to the other parts of your speech. After a long interval, and a supply of food, Tawhiao and his principal chiefs came to shake lianas with the Native Minister and rarfey, and he expressed his desire for a further meeting at Te Kuiti, at which he hoped the Governor and Native Minister would be present The Native Minister replied that it might not be convenient for the Governor to attend a meeting unleßS it was at Kawhia. After some further conversation, the meeting terminated for that d«y. On Thursday, the 4th, Tawhiao, accompanied by bis wives and children and principal chiefs, visited the Native Minister at Hetit's, whero he dined and discussed terms of settlement. On his applying for the restoration of Waikato, the Native Minister informed him that such a thing was quite impossible, and woul 1 not be entertained by him or by any oiher person in authority. The Governor had not the power to do so, the Assembly of New Zealand having passed laws respecting t'ose lands, which must be upheld, and the proceedings had also had the concurrence of the English Government. The Government were, however, prepared to tre it him with ju«t consideration, and on his aiding and co-operating with them in maintaining order and repressing crime within the district, the people of which were under his influence, they would treat him generously for doing so, but he did not desire to press any reply from him at present untiljhe had full time to confer with his people and consider the proposals then made. Tawhiao appeared evidently well disposed, and frequently expressed his friendship towards the Native Minister on account of his being a friend of his father's, the late Potatatu. On the second day be lost much of the reserve of the previous day. The demeanor of his people, over whom he has despotic sway, was quiet and respectful, and now that the ice had peen broken by a formal meeting, which is always significant with the natives of a termination of all hostile feeling, a wish was expreaeed by Tawhiao that more frequent and friendly interviews would take place with the Government. Tho Returns published in the Government Gazette show an-.increase in the imports of the pa9t year over 1873 of nearly 25 per cent, but in the exports there was a decrease of £359,102. The imports for 1874 were £8,121,612, and the exports £5,231,269. The imports at the principal ports for 1874 stand as followS:~Duneiiin, £2,589,560; Auckland, £1,546,438; Lyttelton, £,1,479,452; Wellington, £1,084,657; Nelson, £314,160; Napier, £214,182; Greymouth, £183,609; Hokitika, £167,435; Wanganui, £69,473. Christchurch, Friday. A sad accident ocenrred at the River Rangitata yesterday. Mr Hunt, head-master of the Tlmaru school, his wife, and his mother-in-law, a Mrs Cunningham, were crossing in a buggy, driven by the former, when the ladies, getting frightened, stood up and capaized the buggy. The ferryman caught hold of Mr JSunt, hut the stream

carried him away again. The ferryman then caught hold of Mrs Hunt and took her ashore ] but life was extinct. The party were crrss- j ing at the proper ford, and the river was low. | Thpre would have been no nccilcnt if the ladies had not been frightened. Efforts a-e being made to establish a Pigeon Flying Club here. rf"~The cabmen now offer to submit the i dispute between themselves and tho City : Council to arbitration. A dog show will probably be held in conjunction with the next poultry exhibition. The market quotations deliverable in Christchurch are:— Wheat, 3s to 3s 6d; oats, 2s 3d to 28 9i ; barley, 4s to 4s 3d; fl-nr, £10 to £U; bran, £6; pollard, £6; sharps, £6 10s; butter, 9d; cheese, 6d; hams and bacon, Is OJd. There have been several large shipments of cheese to West Const and Melbourne during the week. Timaru, Friday. The bodies of Mr and Mrs Hunt and Mrs i Cunningham have been recovered. Two | children are left orphans. Napieb, Saturday. It is reported that the Pretty Jane is on the rocks at Poverty Bay. The passengers were all saved. Full particulars are not yet to hand. Hokitika, Saturday. The Superintendent opened the third session of the Provincial Council yesterday, j He stated that the land revenue had fallen short by £700, but as one-third of the General Government's special grant was available, the total liabilities from the past year would be only £2000. During the year £18,000 had been spent on public works, against £10,0 0 |in the previous year. He referred to the promising prospects of the Jackson's Bay settlement, and regrettei that no practical benefit to Westland had resulted from the General Government fystera of immigration. He stated that it was the intention of the Government to amend the licensing laws. He suggested that the Council should settlo : the amounts to be paid to Tramway Com- ! panics, and that the General Government 1 shou'd be asked to introduce an Act to provide for compensation. On the Provincial question, he said his firm conviction was tbat i the time had arrived when the system of double government should cease. So long a3 the present provincial system continued, so long would the weaker sub-divisions of the j colony continue to suffer.