THE NATIVE MEETING AT PARIHAKA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1223, 18 March 1880, Page 2

THE NATIVE MEETING AT PARIHAKA.

Wellington", March 17. : The Parihaka half-yearly meeting was held to-day. The number' present was estimated at 2000 natives, and about 60 Europeans. Great preparations had. been made in'the way of food. About 50 pigs and 100 sheep had been slaughtered. 200 large baskets of bread, 300 kits of melons, and 30 boilers of tea were also provided. ..After food; had been distributed, Te Whiti spoke. His words were not very definite, but throughout there was a tone of peace. He referred to the presence of the constabulary on the plains as a proof that the Europeans desired war, and to make the natives fight for the land. As the land belonged to the natives, they had no occasion to fight. There were two things he wished to state—first, that the floods have subsided, and will never again come on the earth ; and secondly, that the natives were not to step outside of what he had apportioned or measured out. Parihaka was a sacred and a sure refuge for all Tohu- also spoke, and said the Europeans desired war ; they had brought their guns and bayonets, and flashed them in the eyes of the natives ; they were also making roads with their shovels. All this meant war. The meeting then stopped for further refreshment.