NATIVE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5262, 4 February 1878, Page 2

NATIVE MEETING.

Auckland, Sunday. The special reporter of the Star at the Kingite meeting telegraphs :—“ Fortunately none of the murderers were present at th« meeting, though they were said to have been on the ground the previous day. The Start special made careful inquiry, learning their whereabouts. Te Kooti, Furnkatn, and Xuku were at a settlement a considerable distance inland. The Star's special secretly engaged a guide, rode by night over a rough track to Otoroha iga, and had a long interview with Te Kooti there, in the course of which Te Kooti defended himself from blame for the Poverty Bay massacre. He said .Major Briggs hunted him so that he could not escape without attacking the settlement. Xu reply to a question, a* to whether the Maoris were likely to consent to the making of railways and telegraphs through to Taranaki, Te Kooti replied, “ Not yet, wait; by-and bye perhaps.” The same correspondent telegraphs that at to-day’s meeting Sir George Grey sent a request to Hannhiri to see him privately this morning. Manuhiri replied that whatever conversation he had with the Premier must take place in presence of the people outside. About noon to-day all the natives assembled on the ground outside the tents in the same way as they did yesterday. Manuhiri had obtained an open air meeting, and he addressed the assembly as follows ;—Governor Grey is there. It is seventeen years since he was here. Sir Geo. Grey said: We cannot help old mistakes, but there is one here who can settle all difficulties (looking at Mr. Sheehan). Hawarau said_: Welcome, Hoani Nahe and his people ; he is my child. Hoani Nahe replied : Stop this talk, and talk to Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan. The talk of to-day is to them. ■ Bet them talk to Sir Grey. I come to escort them. Manga (Rewi), addressing Sir George Grey, said : Gome here and see the faces of the people who are dead; come and see the children of Petatan ; come and see all the tribes. These days are only for seeing. (Turning to the people): This is Governor Grey. (Song). Sir George then replied ; I have come to see

you. My stay will not cease till I have seeu the faces of those who are dead. ■ Apiliane then stood up and said : Do not confuse this. Let all things rest under the law. Let trouble cease. This day is for Governor Grey and Tawhiao. If you return to Alexandra, I will accompany Te Wheoro. Talk to Sir George Grey ; it is good to say all you have to say to him ; he is the administrator of the law. The chief then called out to light the ovens, and the women went out to light them. Te Wheoro went down in a canoe to Alexandra to get more fl-mr. The New Zealand Insurance Company lose £3OO by the fire at Mr. Robertson's, Otahubu,