NATIVE MINISTER’S MEETING WITH KING TAWHIAO.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4332, 6 February 1875, Page 2

NATIVE MINISTER’S MEETING WITH KING TAWHIAO.

Alexandra, Friday. On the 31st ultimo the Native Minister received a written invitation from Tawhiao.to pay him a visit at Waitoma, about halfway between the European boundary and his principal settlement at Te Kuiti, on Monday, February 1. Two well manned canoes came down to take the Native Minister and his party up. On Tuesday, at 4 a.m., the Native Minister and party started, and arrived at Louis Hetit’s at three in the afternoon. Major Te Whooro, Paul Tuhaere, Hone Te One, Rev. William Patere, Te Awaitaiti, and other chiefs, proceeded to Tawhiao’s village that evening, and on the 3rd the Native Minister, with Messrs. Kemp, Mair, Bush, and Davies, visited Tawhiao. They were received with the usual welcomes and waving of shawls. On coming close to the place, two of Tawhiao’s head chiefs came out uncovered to lead the Native Minister to the place assigned for strangers. After the usual lapse of time, it was announced that Tawhiao would come out and make a set speech, which had not been his previous practice. The substance of the speech, rvas a ■welcome to the Native Minister, and some allusion to the restoration of Waikato.

The Native Minister replied that his being welcomed was not a new thing; that hia (Tawhiao’s) father who had now gone had done it before him ; and it was but right that he (the King) should do so also. Having only just arrived, he would not now reply to the other parts of Tawhiao’s speech. After a long interval, and a supply of food, Tawhiao and his principal chiefs came to shake hands with the Native Minister and party ; and he expressed a 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 he convenient for the Governor to attend a meeting, unless it was at Kawhia. After some further conversation, the meeting terminated for that day. On Thursday, the 4th instant, Tawhiao, accompanied by his wives, children, and principal chiefs, visited the Native Minister at Louis Hetit’s, where he dined, and discussed terms of settlement with the Native Minister, On applying for the restoration of Waikato, the Native Minister informed him distinctly, that such a thing was quite impossible, and would not be entertained by him or by any other person in authority. The Governor had not the power to do so, the As sembly of New Zealand having passed laws respecting those lands which must be upheld ; and the proceeding had also had the concurrence of the English Government. The Government were, however, prepared to treat him with just consideration ; and on his aiding and co-operating with the Government in maintaining order, and repressing crime within the district, people of which were under his influence, he would treat him generously for doing so ; but the Native Minister did not desire to press for any reply from him at present, until he 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 Potatau. On the second day, he lost much of the reserve of the previous day, and the demeanor of his people, over whom he has despotic sway, was quiet and respectful. And now that the ice has been broke by a formal meeting, which is always significant with the natives of a termination of all hostile feeling, a wish was expressed by Tawhiao that more frequent and friendly interviews would take place with the Government. THE VOLUNTEER PRIZE FIRING AT THE THAMES. Grahamstown, Friday. Match atSoall’s black targets; ranges, 400 and 500 yards, seven rounds at each ; first prize £6, second £5, and third £3. Men were allowed to white their sights at first range. Sutton and Partington each made 27 points. Many consider Soall’a idea deserves consideration. Range prize, 400 yards, was taken by Partington, with a score of 27 points. Jit 500 yards, Gallagher took range prize with 25 points. First prize was won by Sutton, with 51 points ; second by Christie, with 46 points ; third by Purnell, with 45 points. International Match to-morrow. Irish team-Tellsop, Captain Armstrong, Fenton, Grant, McKee, Clark, Ryan, Dundas, McConnell, Mcllvride. English team:—Skinner, Blatch, Blythe, Fox, Gilbert, Grundy, Leigh, Munyard, Purnell, Sykes. Colonial team: —Hoskins, Chase, Gallagher, Morley, Partington, Gordon, McLaren, Hamlin, Keys. Scottish team:—Elder, Wilson, Goldie, McLeod, Christie, Campbell (Thames), Richardson, McLean, Mcllvride, and Captain Murray. Total scores at 400 and 500 yards.— Campbell, 38 ; Murray, 40 ; Chaikin, 28 ; Goldie, 42 ; Leigh, 40 ; Heaphy, 33 ; Fox, 40 ; Greer, 36 ; McLeod, 36 ; Thompson, 33 ; Dundas, 27 ; Sutton, 61; Gordon, 43 ; Armstrong, 38 ; Marshall, 34 ; McKee, 39 ; Blythe, 31 ; Partington, 45 ; Morriss, 36 ; Bassett, 16 j Hamlin, 3 ; Purnell, 45 ; Grant,

32 ; Chase, 42 ; McLean, 39 ; McLaren, 41 Churton, 23 ; Blatch, 38 ; Munyard, 38 ; Blake, 41 ; Grundy, 28; Murray, 40 ,* Stone; bridge, 22 ; Burns, 43 ; Mcllvride, 31 ; Morley, 27 ; Wilson, 40 ; Ryan, 30 ; Campbell, 44; Christie, 46 ; Hoskins, 40 ; Soper, 32 ; M. Barriball, 11 ; Hay, 39 ; Robinson, 21 ; Tomlinson, 41 ; Coleman, 22 ; Fairbrother, 33 ; W. Barriball, 19; A. Barriball, 9; Collard, 24 ; Richardson, 41 ; Clark, 42 ; McKenzie, 35 ; Sykes, 28 ; Elder, 43 ; Brown, 34 ; Gascoigne, 36 ; Gallagher, 44; Skinner, 36 ; Curtis, 41 ; KingsweD, 42 ; Martella, 37. A match has been on to-day at Soall’a black targets. To-morrow a match will be fired between English, Irish, Scottish, and Colonial teams, ten each. The Defence Minister contributes £lO as a prize for the highest scoring team. A further programme has been arranged, as follows ; —Presentation of prizes and general settling-up at the camp on Monday. The volunteers will then march to Grahamstown, where a ball will be held in their honor in the evening. They will embark for Auckland the following (Tuesday) morning. Since the championship has been decided very little interest has been exhibited in the shooting.