New Zealand Spectator AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 26, 1851.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 589, 26 March 1851, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, March 26, 1851.

On Wednesday last his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief went to Waikanae in order to be present at a meeting of native tribes, comprising the Ngatiawas, Ngatitoas, Ngatiraukawas, and others, to be held on the following day. The principal object of the meeting was to afford Sir George Grey an opportunity of paying a friendly visit to the natives of Waikanae and the neighbouring districts, and they availed themselves of the occasion to confer with him respecting the purchase by the Government of certain tracts of land in the neighbourhood, the present occupiers of which are about to migrate to Taranaki. In accordance with native customs this meeting was to be also a feast, and a most plentiful supply of eatables had been provided. A huge ox roasted whole, fifty pigs dressed in the same style, fish dried and cooked, melons, potatoes, karaka nuts and kumeras in profusion, constituted the bill of fare. Sir George Grey slept on Wednesday night at Major Durie’s. and proceeded about eleven the next morning to a beautiful amphitheatre of hills about two miles from Waikanae, where a large number of native chiefs, including Rangihaeata, Martin, Puaha, and Epuni, with their followers, were collected, in number about three hundred. It was evident that the last two years bad wrought a considerable and striking change in the demeanour and appearance of the natives, particularly among Rangihaeata’s followers, a change that could hardly escape the notice of the most inattentive observer. His Excellency was accompanied by Mr. Wakefield, the Attorney-General, Captain Oliver, R.N., Mr. Thomas, the AuditorGeneral, Mr. J. Wodehouse, Private Secretary, and Major Durie, the Resident Magistrate, and met the natives without the slightest display or parade of any kind. Several visitors from Wellington were also there to witness the proceedings, which had attracted general attention, among them were Sir W.. Congreve, Bart., Mr. V. Smith, &c. Sir G. Grey advanced at once to an elevated spot where Rangihaeata with his wife,

Topeora his sister, his priest, and Bigewalh. his fighting man sat. As soon as Sir George was within a few yards of the fierce looking old chief who, in spite of grey hairs and the loss of several front teeth looted hale and hearty, Rangihaeata descended from the rising ground on which he had been seated, and shook hands most cordially with his Excellency. A few words were exchanged without the aid of an interpreter, and Sir George retired, announcing that the conference would take place on some level ground at a short distance off. Thither every one hurried, and a large irregular circle was formed. Rangihaeata surrounded by his retinue took up his station, and Sir George Grey sat on a chair opposite to him. The old chief immediately rose, and advancing into the middle of the circle, addressed his Excellency for a few minutes with great calmness; suddenly, however, changing his tone, he announced his opposition to the sale of land contemplated by the Ngatiawas. Those immediately around him responded to his appeal to them on the subject with loud shouts. He himself, after the native custom, flourished his meri with a vivacity that shewed he still retained his original vigour. Sir George Grey displayed his usual tact and discrimination of native character, and on Raugiliaeata’s reseating h>mself said that he did not wish to buy land except when the owners were anxious to sell, and then rose. At this signal the natives dispersed in all directions in order to bring the previsions from the different points to a spot at about the middle of the amphitheatre. To do this several processions were formed composed of men carrying the food, surrounded by women and children with green boughs in their handsThese were waved to and fro to a very agreeable chorus which every now and then rose into loud shouts, the women almost screaming, and everybody gesticulating and stamping so as to make the ground resound and tremble under them. As soon as the provisions had been arranged in readiness for cooking, tranquillity succeeded to noise and apparent confusion. His Excellency then quietly threaded his way from one group to another, conversing fluently with all. He seemed to recognize numerous acquaintances, both old and young, who eagerly seized the opportunity of talking with him; many of them explaining the reasons for and against the contemplated purchase of land. It seemed the objection to the sale on the part of the Ngatiraukawas headed by Rangihaeata is, that the Ngatiawas and other tribes proposing to sell, have not a right to do so, as their title is not a perfect one. In other words they are a sort of vassals to the Ngatiraukawas, respecting this land, having merely what we should call a tenant right, the fee being in the superior tribe. Still their tenant right, on rendering certain services, being indefeasible they conceive that they have a right to sell the land. Seeing, however, that if they leave the place the services will not be rendered, the right to sell is open to serious objections, if it really exist at all. At all events no purchaser could prudently conclude a bargain at present and the matter must be deferred until some arrangement between the parties, who can hardly be called hostile, has been made. Under these circumstances Sir G. Grey’s object ofcourse was not to offend either party. He seemed to accomplish this perfectly by declaring that he did not wish to buy except from a willing seller with a good title, and that he should be ready to buy whenever such a person asked him. Whether this reasoning, witnout his Excellency’s great acuteness of preception of the native character, fluency m the native language, and /natural attractiveness of manner would by itself have produced the desired effect, who can tell ? One thing, however, is certain that Sir George Grey, far from offending either party, won golden opinions from both sides. He retirecl from the festive scene amidst general cheering. On his appearance among them the next morning, Friday, he was most corxally received; and after staying a short time he took leave of them, when they gave him three hearty cheers, and continued

shouting “hurrah” and “farewell” | tevery corner of the encampment. ;