THE NATIVE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5642, 30 April 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE MEETING.

(PER PRESS AGESCT.'I ' , . Alexandra, Tuesday. The assembly of natives is now complete, and the Lower Waikatos—who snivel on Sunday, had an accident through the capsizing of a targe canoe and drowning of a youngster —having reached Kopua this' morning, were there received by shouts of welcome and a war dance. The Nga-uhia remain here in waiting for Sir George and his tail, of which they form an important part. A few of these people have visited the King before. Their ancestors knew the Waikatos, to their cost, after their second attack at Euatakatca, about two >“'!** from where they were so effectually routed that only half a 'dozen 'returned to fell the f-ale._On the first, attack they, were armed The Waikatos were pot, but fin the second tjiey were too well prepared for them. The meeting of these on - e belligerent tribes will possess a peculiar- interest, and form, a feature' of-the great meeting, ■if it takes place. At-present-it us a mere toss Of. a penny. -The sable King stands .on his dignity ever so much, and Sir Gdonje willh tve to knuckle under if he is to meet Tawhiao, because the latter declines to comply with the request tor a special invite. Sir Ge rge agrees that since the Hikurangi meeting they have assumed an importance which it did not then posses--, o’ -■ wholesale invites have not been sent. ine Premier considers he-should ba so honored. Tawhiao, on the other hand,, replies that this is only an adjournment ■ of th'o' first meeting, and no other invitations are necessary to the. Government. 'Ha is firm on this point,’ notwithstanding : the letter, written to Rewi pu board the Hinemda. ..and rA“-C ceived yesterday, , urging that Sir. Georg,— Grey will be in Waikato on Thrirsday-Wt. vf.Hior business (the Hamilton railway inauguration), and if invited will he glulto’See Tawhiao. Rewi’s reply, sent the same day, was to the effect that no invitatiouwas ! heedod oilier than the one sent by himself. Your special correspondent interviewing Tawhiao and Rewi to-day on the subject of the invitation which Sir G. Grey requires, was shown the‘letter and reply, and assured that Sir George need not expect anything more. If he does not come the natives will discuss matters amongst themselves so 'long as their food, which is enormous iu quantity but -vile iu quality, lasts. An engine and carriage was iu waiting to bring Sir George bn Sunday, bn the arrival of the Hinemoa at Auckland, if the invitation had been to hand, when the letter sent on arrival would have been unnecessary. Tlr-re is no doubt, however, that Rewi’s version will be accepted, that the meeting is a continuation of the Hikurangi one, and that Tawhiao has been mustering, all his tribes in anticipation of the Premier’s presence to talk over matters. A number of Europeans are here and are allowed; full access’ to Kopua,

with the exception of the royal quarters,-which are strictly guarded by the -King’s own fighting men, equipped - with rifles, pouches, &c., biTt in the costume, of our first They mustered in file and formed fours to words of command, were dressed, ,put through their facings, and told off to head a procession to supply the visitors with food. The number was some 4000, aud the quantity of food carried was enormous, as the visit was repeated. Tawhiao headed his fighting men with spear and feathers, and Bewi was 6ne bf> the many generals in command. The bugle sounds, and shots are fired at intervals during the day, and the whole place at head-quarters pressSts quite a martial aspect. ' If an'Obstructive . pakeha ventures beyond' the aukati line, he is ' quickly ordered off. A few-pakehampectators ' . j fVto hrtdtr o-narrl'thiH mornimr

when they were being exercised,' 'and were pushed back with the unceremonious poke o£ a sword held by a Maori officer. ■' Strangers were afterwards very kindly treated to-tsavery kit of potatoes and preserved 6sh; chiefly dried eels, which few witk ordinary appetites could stomach. Seine pakeha-Maoris felt it their duty for form’s sake to tackle it, but their visages soon told unmistakeably that'they were fnartyrs to the t oooasion, and yelping-dogs around came in for feasts. 'The visitors irielu ie a few representatives of speculators, who have a keen eye for the'land'; but the bulk are personswho are here through curiosity. Some communications have just been received by tlie'natiyjj agents here (Messrs. Grace and VonSturneer, R.M.) about the - attitude Tawhiao has assumed, in-' eluding also a reply from llewi. - Several matters are being discussed preliminary to the arrival of Sir George,—of- the, visit of whom more anon. ■■■■;, -