GREAT MAORI MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 226, 7 September 1875, Page 2

GREAT MAORI MEETING.

A correspondent of the Patea Mail supplies that journal with the following somewhat sensational notice of s meeting of Maoris that was to come off at Parihaka:— A large meeting of Maoris has beej arranged to take place at Parihaka, and as the affair is likely to be attended with political significance, I beg to forward you an outline of the business to be transacted in anticipation of the same being acceptable to you. As I am well versed in Maori, and having transactions daily with the race, you may rely upon the correctness of my information. The meeting has been instigated by the two great Maori chiefs— Te Whiti and John— and already there are 1000 natives on the scene of the coming rendezvous, which number will be considerably supplemented when the Keteraarae and Hawera natives put in an appearance. The King, with his tribe, is expected at the end of the month. The sovereign Maori will come by steamer to Taranaki, and his people will travel overland to New Plymouth and thence to Parihaka. The notorious Te Kooti is now making his way through the bush, accompanied by his tribe, and may be expected to arrive shortly. His messenger has reached Parihaka, and informed the natives that there are 100 men marching with this great rebel. Invitations have been issued to the Patea natives to attend this monster korero, but Titoko has sent ,back word that he won't go unless it pleases himself, and if he complies with the invitation, his presence may not be expected earlier than the 15th of September. He evidently is determined not to put himself much about. The Wanganui Maoris, and indeed from all parts of the coast, have been requested to attend, and the invitations have been accompanied with a peculiar manifest from Te Whiti and John, to the effect that the Maoris are forbidden to ride, and on no account are they to be allowed to take their horses to the Parihaka P a ]*\ .^ Qe pakehas are exempt from this injunction, and I presume will be permitted to attend mounted on their charges. Mr Parris, Major Brown, and other celebrities are expected down. The Governor and Sir Donald M'Lean are mentioned as probable visitors, but as Parliament is now in session, it is feared these two gentlemen will be precluded from attending. I have taken much trouble to ascertain the object of this large gathering of Maoris, and I have learnt that it is generally understood among the native race that Te Whiti and John have laid a scheme to secretly do away with the King and Queen in order that the Government may have no intercourse with them, 'as they say that these royal (personages have brought war into the world. These two men desire to elicit from the Parihaka meeting whether the race desire peace or war, and both Te Whiti and John have resolved to resist the construction of the telegraph.