PROCEEDINGS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 549, 4 February 1878, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

(by telegraph, pee press agency.) Alexndra, February 2. There were no particular interviews between Sir George Grey and the Native chiefs last night. This forenoon, at 11 o'clock, a procession appeared advancing towards the tents, headed by Tawhaio, followed by his two sons and various chiefs. After they had shaken hands with Sir George Grey and the members of his party, the King sat down at Sir Geo. Grey's feet. Tawhiao was arrayed in a striking head-dress of black feathers, black alpaca coat, and buckskin trousers, tucked into gaiters and boots. His two sons (the eldest of whom is a godson of Sir George Grey, and called by his name) were dressed in good tweed coats, and wore bright-coloured shawls, kilt fashion. Manuhiri, who stood long in silence while the others sat, was in the native costume of flax mats. Rewi, who sat in front of Sir George Grey, was also in mats. February 4.

Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheelian and party met yesterday, Tawhiao, his two sons, Manuwhiri, Rewi, Hanuri, Taorai, Te Ngakau, and all the principal chiefs, with about two thousand five hundred other natives. Manuwhiri was first speaker. He congratulated the Premier, and gave him a welcome. He said he had not seen Sir George Grey for seventeen years, but all that time his heart had been longing for an interview. Hanuri then said : Come Hone Nahe to see us, those who are living and those who are dead. Welcome to you who belong to Hauraki and Waikato. Hone Nahe replied: I reciprocate your welcome, but this day is for Sir Geoi'ge Grey and Tawhiao. We will not interfere. —Sir George Grey then said: Oh Waikatos and Ngatimaniapotos I am glad to meet you here. It will be work for me and Tawhiao to reunite our people who have been so long separated ; it is for us to plant this day a tree that may flourish and benefit, not only us, but those who come after us. Rewi said : Welcome, Governor Grey, come and see us all. Welcome in the name of those who have passed away. You must see Kingites four times. The first was planting of the tree, the second would be promoting its growth ; the third and fourth times the tree will be flourishing and bear. Rewi then produced the sgal belonging to Potatau, first saying the owner is dead but his spirit is here. Look at it —none of you chiefs speak. There is only one man to speak, meaning Tawhaio. Tiiis concluded the meeting, but all the chiefs then visited Sir George Givy and Mr. Slieehan, the King staying in Sir George Grey's tent, where they supped together. Nothing was said at the meeting about o-iving back the confiscated land. ihe second meeting is fixed for March, and it was agreed that Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan should pay a private visit, and should stay with Tawhiao, and go with him into the interior. At Tawhiao's request, Sir George Grey said ho should have the privilege of sending letters and telegrams to the Premier franked. All the European party returned to Alexandra to-day, Sir George Grey riding overland, and" calling at Kaipahi and other places. The whole of the party leave here for Te Awamutu probably to-morrow. a [FRO>f OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Alexandra, February 2. Manuhiri said, I have only one word to say. Of Sir George Grey the heart is still throbbing with the emotion of the occasion, and, 1 an} only thinking now how many years have passed—it is now 17 years —since I saw you last. That is all I can say now. Hauhaura, chief of Ngatimaniapoto, said, When we see one another's faces we can speak (addressing Hoane Nahi, who is from the Thames). Come, my elder brother ; come Hauraki; come to Waikato ; come t° the remnant of pure Waikato, and pure Hauraki. Come, bringing with you treasures of Hauraki. When those treasures first came to Waikato, they came from Hauraki, to which place they had been brought by the ship Coromandel, at least your ancestors told us so. These works were left by your ancestors, and now it is for you, in these days, to introduce these treasures —(Song.) That is all I have to say to you, Oh son of Te Hen Heu. Come to Waikato ; come, Sir George Grey is here. He has come with your child (meaning Potatau, the late king). Come unto his presence. Come—(song)—Come here. lam standing here still. Come and see us according to the word of your elder brother (meaning again the late king). Hoane Nahe, in reply, said, Call to me ; call. Here we come. We have not come as in the old day 3. We have come so as to insure you to think of the past ; of the names you have mentioned. We are the representatives of your fathers. We come here as your friends ; do not bring us any question that may trouble our interview ; but speak according to the desire of your friends, Sir .George ffyey and Tawhaio.

Sir George Grey saicl, Oh father and younger people ■ oh friends ; I have heard the words of Mannhiri. It is seven years since I heard his voice, and I hear his voice this dfjy with joy. 1' remember the days that are gone. In the .early days I knew your ancestors, and JPotatau was my friend. I-often sat by his side and loved him, and his tribe worked hard. The native people might have done well, but war sprung np ; but now that cannot be helped. We must deal with what surrounds ns in these clays. The work we havo to do is a very difficult work. I am only one man, J. alone, perhaps, could not .carry out so great a wOi-'t- ; but it remains for us in these days to come to do it. ->y T e have seen each other's faces looking anxiously, and have spoken month to moijth. The growth of a r.ew tree has commenced. Leave it, that I jyilJ water that tpee, that it may thrive well. It may be for all the chiefs of AYaikato, of Ngatimaniapoto, to assist me in this great work. It is with them that trees should be allowed to groiv. I will ponder over the works of Manuliiri. It remains with lijj a.'l. in the future to further the good. When all the troubles are past and good is growing, my heart will be glad, and I will l'ejoiye. I aim an old pian ; ancj Potatau ajj.4 my oJ4 friends are gone. i. will be very glad in ray old age ifjaliquld see good spring up. That all ihingg speedily end well, that is my great wish, and it is also my wish that my old friends, being dead, the new generation should

work together with me to further these ends. Rewi said the way is clear but come. Come and see lis. Come and see us closely ; see us clearly by seeing each other. Now we will be enabled to see each other frequently in the time to come. Come and see us ; come and see us. By seeing us you will be able to see us oft, ever and more clearly, after worlcs. Come. That is all I have' to say to you. This ends that part of my speech. (Addressing the people). Listen, listen, we have seen that Sir George Grey is here. Where should we see him again 1 Listen, listen. That is all. Where should we see him again 1 Let us stop now, having met and seen each other as friends. Let matters of business be discussed at our next meeting. Sir George Grey : Oh, Rewi, 1 have heard your words. I agree with your words that I should see you often, and by that perhaps we will be able to think over matters, and bring them to a good conclusion. Rewi, I am speaking of Waikato. This was the Governor in the days of the Governor and Potatau, and in the days when trouble arose. We have not seen each other, as Manuhiri has already said, for 17 years. Do not find fault. Let the past be past. Do not find fault; and although Potatau is dead, do not forget him. He is dead, but his spirit atill whispers to me, saying, Do not find fault; let the past be past; do not find fault; let the past be past. Let us see him. (Rewi here held Potatau's official seal set for him by Mr. Watt, jeweller, of Shortland-strcet, Auckland.) Potato's body is dead, but 1 will hold his spirit (referring to the seal, and meaning that Potatu's position was now occupied by his son). The spirit is here. Look! The word has been unanswered (meaning that Sir George Grej' has agreed to see them again). I will say this—l am speaking to you—l will just say this—(song). The latter part of this song is my own ; that is, feed the child, and it will thrive (meaning that the new state of things should be promoted). This saying is true. It is now 17 years since we have had Sir George Grey. We are thinking of the time when lie was Governor. Tapihana said—l agree with what yon have said, that the weeds should lie cleared away, and that the tree should grow well. I will take Sir George Grey back to-morrow—l myself alone and he will bring me back. This is a small matter. Do not suppose we do not oppose ; we do not bear malice. This is the day of Tukurato. Do not leaven it with daytiiought. L-jt tiio plant, grow. 1 will not. leave this alone. 1 will see him next and carry out matters. I am going to escort you back, father, to-morrow morning or the IH-xt day. I have had the ! .'rst chance ;o claim this position, because you all omitted to do it. After several most satisfactory interviews with Rewi and Tawhaio, Sir Geo. Grey arrived this morning at Alexandra. Rewi has promised to visit Wellington during the sitting of the Assembly. The Premier and Ministers go to-morrow to Te Awamutu and Cambridge, and will reach Auckland on Tuesday evening.