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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 398, 8 February 1879, Page 2

The death on the Wairnate Plains of the wife of the chief Muni has been flic occasion of a large gathering of natives. Amongst chiefs present was To liopiha, from the Taranaki side, who however, considers he lias claims on Wairnate Plains land. Itopiha has long been a Government man, but would not apparently be averse to opposition being shown to the survey of the Plains if thereby Ids own private interests would be bonefitted. At the gathering above mentioned Ropiba, apparently desiring it to be so, asked whether anything- would be done to stop the survey of laud. Patu Wairna, replied very decidedly, that ho had had enough of fighting, his fight at Tc Ngutu-o-te-Manu was the last he intended to have with pakehas, and that nothing would be done to stop the surveys. Patu Wairna has hitherto been a strong oppositionist and is still sore at the land being taken, but is convinced that fighting Europeans would only place the Maoris in a worse position. Ho tauntingly asked liopiha where ho was when Te Ngutn-o-tc-Mann was fought, and sneoringly said on the Government side, whore he would again be found if fighting took place. A large meeting of natives took place at Mawhitiwhiti on Monday, Major Brown and My Williams being present. The leading chiefs interested in the Wairnate Plains, including Tito Kowarn, were present. The Civil Commissioner was received with marked kindness. The natives who spoke, unhesitatingly expressed themselves as averse to any more fighting, that they had no intention of fighting again, and that the reports which had been spread about by Europeans of an intended rising were false, and that those who told the lies ought to be punished. Lately a Waitotara chief went to Join To Whiti, being averse to the sale of land or to the occupation of confiscated land by Europeans, and refused to have money which Government were ready to pay on account of former claims. This chief has returned to Ins own place, quite satisfied of the futility of further opposition, and has expressed himself ready to take his allotted share of Government money. Generally, it is reported that the natives are we!! disposed towards pakehas, and pcacably inclined — more so than for years past.