THE NATIVE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5641, 29 April 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE MEETING.

(per press agenct.) Auckland, Monday. The representative chiefs of Ngapnhi left for Waikato this morning. They go up with the firm determination either to have Grey and Sheehan at the meeting or return. It is positively stated that Sir George Grey and the Native Minister will not go to the King meeting until an absolute invitation is received by them. It is also reported that the Kingites intend to send invitations as soon as they have arranged upon the preliminaries of the programme. Alexandra, Monday. Natives are all assembled, and awaiting-fho, settlement of the dispute between Kewi and Tawhiao as to the invitation of Sir G. Grey and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Kewi is impatient of remaining here, and has sent an invitation ; but Tawhiao declines for the present, awaiting the settlement of the programme and pending certain disputed points. Kewi says he and Sir G. Grey are one, and his (Rewi’s) invitation ought to be sufficient. It is believed there are some five hundred assembled, and the distribution of food and an irregular discussion of various points seems to be the only business at present, pending the arrival of Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan. The Northern representatives, including some very influential chiefs, brought by Sir G. Grey from the Bay of Islands, came on by train to Ngaruawhia to-day, in charge of Mr. Von Stunner, R.M. of Hokianga, and took steamer there for Alexandra, where they will arrive to-night. They will probably remain here until Sir G. Groy is invited and comes on, when they will go in state to see Tawhiao and Rewi.

The Waikatos, Ngatimaniopntoa, and the Lower Waikatos, who arrived yesterday in their largo war canoes 300 strong —one of which was upset with arms and ammunition — are in waiting a few miles from here at Whatawhata. They will ’join the Ministerial party and the Northern tribes.

It is understood the Northern tribes have arranged a programme in readiness for the meeting, and are prepared to back it up ; but this will not be tolerated by Tawhiao’s people, who look upon it as an insult to themselves. The Maoris are in Alexandra in great numbers, and are liberal supporters of the publicans, two in number, who are making a haul out of them. Two exhibitions—the waxworks, under O’Brien, and Fatima—are here, amusing the natives.