THE NATIVE MEETING AT HIKURANGI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5341, 10 May 1878, Page 2

THE NATIVE MEETING AT HIKURANGI.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Hikurangi, Thursday evening. To-day has been a lost day again. The Government party are in deep consultation in their tents, and the Maori King ia ditto with his advisers, including I°urukutu. It was long past noon before the Kingites were ready with fern to spread on the bleakest but only level spot of ground large enough to accommodate those present. A strong bitter cold wind and lowering sky did not add to the comfort of the proceedings. The Maoris crouched in heaps close to one another, and this doubtless assisted to keep up the circulation of blood, but Sir George Grey, Mr. Sheehan, and party having to keep up their dignity, bad no such advantage, and with the rest of the sufferers had a miserable time of it. After the Haukaus were ready, Sir G. Grey and Mr. Sheehan kept his Majesty's subjects some hour longer, the patu or bell going the whole time. Karakias were sung and chanted before Sir G. Grey and Mr/ Sheehan’s arrival, Tawhao addressed various hapus by name, saying that they and the Ngatimaniopotos were one, and the same from Tamald to Mokau. On Sir G. Grey's arrival the King addressed him in a very low voice, hardly audible in the high wind, saying they had met together for a good work. Sir G. Grey replied that he had come to unite the two races in one people. Tuhi We Rapata and Tuhoro, the latter slightly insane, were put down by Haukauku for having made speeches. Paul Tukere declared them perfectly incomprehensible ; if they were men let them speak like men, so that they could understand one another. Hopa and Karr.koa also spoke on the King’s side, but avoided making any proposal or bringing any definite business before the meeting. The Government party is strictly following suit. At the.last Sir George Grey suggested that he and Tawhiao should settle all the business between them, they knowing each other well, and he could lay it afterwards before the tribes. Tnhi said: “It is well.” Te Aroha said he would not hide what he was going to say; he did not believe in private business ; nothing should be hidden; matters should be settled openly before all. Tuhi said: “It is very cold; let us adjourn until to-morrow,” Te Hiari said ; “ I agree with Te Aroha ; let nothing be bid ; adjourn.” This closed the proceedings until to-morrow.