THE WHENUAKURA NATIVE MEETING.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 35, 11 August 1875, Page 3

THE WHENUAKURA NATIVE MEETING.

(uy ot;u wani'Kin mu Hi-moirnm.) For some days past great po-paral sons were being made by the native-! in the 1 k-i^iii»<>nrlioi xi for tin* groat 111 ■ ■<‘ii not dill’erent tribes which was held at the above place, with all dim pomp and cere"S'loiiy. Friday, the doth nil., was (die day Tr’fi]ioi111>■< 1 lor the commencement of; the proceedings, but if. was net. uniil the Billowing day that (he husim-ss began. On Saturday, your Inimhle servant, aeeompaidr'il hy a few friends, made lor lie scene of action. It was my intention to have reached the place of tvn h'/vm ■; ol these dusky brethren by horse, but. having received tin invitation from Captain Bake (whoso cordial manner and jovial spirits are so well-known throughout the district) to join him and party in a coach, chartered for the occasion, 1 resolved to abandon my original intention of riding, and accordingly took a box seat on board his “ ship.” Besides the driver there was only myself and friend (well known in connection with the A.C. Force), on the box. The noble Captain and ladies taking scats inside, in consequence of tiie threatening aspect of the weather. A start was made about 12.5k) p.m. ; when, lo ! a jerk, and ra'lmr sudden shock as if some of the “tackle ” had given away, put us all on the qu! nice. My long friend on the box, gave one torrilic bound which brought him to Iho horses’ heads, while I engaged myself in looking round for the cause of the break-down. I was not long in discovering the mishap, the spring having-slipped from its socket. Wo were assured by the driver it was not serious, and could easily ho mended, so after W! iting ton or fifteen minutes, during which time Mr Williams and his stall' of men were busily engaged in making good repairs, “ all aboard ” was once more announced, and we were soon spinning along at the rate of “ knots.” Who emt-wd the accident V was (lie question which went the round on our journey down, and the conclusion came to, after many arguments 2>ro and con, was that our worthy caterer (who tups the scale something •under 2D stone) caused tiie mischief. This was very satisfactory to me, and my companion on the box also seemed to think it was a good joke ; and assured mo lie could not have helped laughing, if the coach had gone over. X thought diifcrcnt, especially if he had been underneath. We arrived about one o’clock at tiie scene of the meeting, and at once made for the large whare, which we found crowded to suffocation. This structure, built especially for the occasion, is about XUDl't long, hy loft hroa On the right in entering, sal, (he lawyers, six in number, the different tribes being seated in certain portions of the building marked olf for them. Being no Maori scholar, I am unable to give so full an account oi: the'proceedings as I should like, although I was kindly asssisted in my dillicnlties by (Mrs Blake, but X learnt tne principal business of the meeting was the tiia! of one Itmigolmramana. of the Tongahoi or llapu tribe, for selling certain hind, contrary lo the laws of Ids dusky herthern. Every opportunity was given lo the prisoner to he heard, policemen being appointed to keep order, and an interpreter stationed in the centre of (ho building to rc-amumnee the prisoner, ’ remarks, so that one and aii should hear whathe had to say. The land which lie appears to have sold, had been under Ids management or supervision for some time, and obtained permission to kill pigs &c., &c., on this land ; he therefore, wiion he thought proper, sold it, hence tho present case. This seems was the evidence for the complaint. In consequence of the extreme heat, which was gradually increasing, wo took our departure from tho whare, and called to see Host Baynton prior to our leaving for Carlyle. We could not congratulate him on his refreshments altogether-, although probably the great influx of Maoris, (whom he supplied with liquors) had no doubt made away with his best brands, and the consequence was that tho worthy host had to do his best to put the viands left into drinkable shape. This was done to the beat of his ability, but not at all to our liking. I saw Constable Wallace very energetic in settling the petty disputes which continually took place between the natives, and he deserves a word of praise fur the manner in which he kept them in order. After a very wet journey (not much enlightened by our visit) we arrived in Carlyle about .4 o’clock in the afternoon, never wishing to take another trip to a native gathering.