NATIVE MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5708, 16 July 1879, Page 2

NATIVE MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE.

(PER PRESS AGBNCT.) Cambridge, Monday. At Saturday’s native meeting, after petitions had been distributed, Robert Graham tried to obtain hearing amid clamor and interruptions. Several natives tried in vain to get him a hearing, when Keti said—“ The meeting was called by Graham and his Maori friends, but through drink there is disturbance. Let us adjourn.” The meeting closed. After an hour’s delay it recommenced, a guard being placed at the door to prevent the disturbers from entering. Tua Tamahana then read the petition, and a discussion followed. The meeting adjourned till to-night. Robert Graham is regarded as the promoter of the petition. In the present disturbed state of native affairs, Europeans should avoid any action calculated to unsettle the native mind, and should not promulgate wild schemes of an impracticable nature, and hostile to the Government. Graham professes to bo trying to allay the extreme discontent pervading the native mind, but there are other causes of dissatisfaction here than the present form of Government. Natives from Wellington and all parts of the colony are claiming a share in the lands. Many are unable to sustain the full claims ; hSnce the discontent. The Land Act is regarded as oppressive. The natives are easily excited to demonstrations offensive to the Government. Hence, at Saturday’s meeting, Ransfield {a half-caste, of Otakijsaid: let not the Government be allowed to pay the salary, or our Minister will be a Government employe.” Thus the meeting went further than the promoters could have wished, and Keperemutu, an old Hauhau chief, reasonably asked why, if they were not satisfied with the present Government, they did not go over to Tawhiao at once—then all would be well. Tonight’s meeting will decide the petition. Auckland, Tuesday. At Cambridge the adjourned native meeting convened by Robert Graham, who is chief promoter, and Maihi, was held after 4 o’clock last night, when the discussion on the petition to the Governor was continued. Most of the speakers expressed an opinion in favor of having a Maori Parliament in Waikato, and leasing land only subject to the approval of a mixed commission. They said the Maori members had failed to do them good, through their hearts being alienated from the Maori people by Government money. A petition to the Governor was unanimously adopted. The meeting is not regarded as of the slightest importance. The trouble has arisen over the award of the Court in reference to the Okanue Block. The Ngatihaua hapu, who expected to get the “ lion’s share,” were only awarded 1100 acres out of 24,000, the balance being given to the Ngatihauerangi. The Ngatihaua are dissatisfied, and 60 of them, armed with all kinds of weapons, occupied the land and defied their successful rivals to take possession. The latter, however, sold to Europeans immediately after the decision of the Court, and will probably leave the purchasers to settle the difficulty. The natives are building pahs on the land, but not fighting pahs, and will probably demand a rehearing of the case.