THE NATIVE MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 110, 9 May 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE MEETING.

Kopua, Thursday. The feeling amongst the Natives is that Tawhiao does not mean to be brought to book at this meeting, and that nothing will result from writing. The tone of Tawhaio's speech was certainly the reverse of agreeable, and was to be a manifesto of his power over all the Island, notwithstanding the independent atttitude of the Ngapubis, Arawas, and other well-known friendly tribes. Rewi is awkwardly fixed. It would be to his interest to see the settlement of all the natives. He is at present in the position of heir to vast estates kept out of possession by another, and awaits the adjudication of the authorities as to his claims. Matters will be as forward to morrow as to-day, because Tawhiao doeß not wish a settlement, does not desire the opening of his fine district, and will not allow surveyors to put foot upon it for the purpose, so long as he is treated with kindness and consideration by the Government of the day. That is the opinion just now, but changes are not improbable, for circumstances alter cases. His present attitude iB evidently to hold on to the lands, to the exclusion of Europeans and settlement. There are a number of speculators here just but now, they are looking gloomy over it, and see little * prospect of an adjustment of claims. . „ , Friday. A good deal of annoyance is felt here by those anxious for a settlement to be come to in this Native business, at the interference of certain Europeans hostile to the Government, whose influence strengthens Tawhiao in his opposition to the Government. It is said that Tawhiao intends Jto ask Sir George Grey to send Governor Robinson to see him and if he wishes the railway to go through the lands leased to Europeans he (Tawhiao) will consent. There are so many delays that Sir G. Grey is expected to tell them that his time is precious, and that if they wish to see the Governor he will do his best to persuade him to pay that part of the country a visit. The weather being fine in the afternoon, the Natives assembled to try and get matters arranged, but some of the Chiefs said they would not deal with Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan, the foremost among these being Te Wahanui, a great chief. Manutiri, on being asked why he objected to come to terms, produced the Government Gazette of 1863. Te Wahanui told the Eev Mr Buddie that Sir G. Grey was bloodthirsty, and the Kingites would never come to terms with him. A number of chiefs spoke iv the afternoon, the general direction of their speeches being to bring about an understanding between the Government and the Kingites. but after all had done, Te Ngakau said they would not go on with the speeches because it was dark, but it must not be thought that he was beaten or bad nothing to say. He would leave the remainder of the speaking till tomorrow, and the meeting would then be broken up.