WAIKATO NATIVE MATTERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5710, 18 July 1879, Page 3

WAIKATO NATIVE MATTERS.

Auckland, July 12,

A large native meeting was held at Cambridge, Waikato, to-day. At the beginning there was a disturbance, which caused separation, but the meeting reorganised, and a petition prepared for presentation to the Governor was read. It set forth that the natives were desirous of living peaceably with the Europeans ; that there were many complaints and grievances which could not be remedied by Government or Parliament, and therefore they look to the Governor, as mouth of the Queen, to ameliorate their condition. They ask that he will appoint commissioners to consider their wrongs—some to be elected by the Governor, and some by the Maoris. They have discovered the lack of strength of the Native Minister appointed by the Europeans, and they pray that the Maoris be allowed to appoint a Native Minister. They say that the practice of the Government in paying a few pounds on land that they may satisfy their greediness in purchasing afterwards will lead to evil, and pray that Government land purchasing should be stopped, and that the commissioners be instructed to inquire into the liquor traffic, so as to prevent it extending, and bring it to an end and stop the increase among the tribes. A long discussion ensued, many of the speakers contending that the commissioners would do no good. They had had commissioners, and had elected native members, and Honi Nahe was in the Ministry, but it was all the same. One speaker said it was foolish to blame the Government because their lands were sold at half-a-crown an acre ; the Maoris were to blame themselves. Some thought they might try the petition, and see how it worked. The meeting finally adjourned till Monday, to further discuss the matter. Another petition is going to Wellington, demanding the return of all confiscated lauds at Tanranga, and all lands wrongfully bought. This is signed by 120 native landowners, A sum of £3OOO was paid during the last few days on the Okauia Block. Sixteen chiefs who got overpaid in mistake immediately refunded the money when the error was pointed out. T , , , Cambridge, July 14.

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 Xeti 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. Toa 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 be 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 ; hence 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, Rausfield (a half-caste, of Otaki) said! let not the Government be allowed to pay the salary, or our Minister will be a Government

employe.” Thus the meeting went farther than the promoters could have wished, and Kepert-mutu, 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, July 15.

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 “ lions share,” were only awarded 1400 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.