THE NATIVE MINISTER’S VISIT TO PARIHAKA.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 411, 26 March 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE MINISTER’S VISIT TO PARIHAKA.

In our last issue, we mentioned that the Hon Mr Sheehan and party had left Opunake, to visit Te Whiti and other native chiefs at Parihaka, where they arrived the same afternoon, after damaging a buggy in a quicksand on the Harriet Beach. During the evening, it was decided by the Native Minister that he would see Te Whiti the following morning, in the space devoted to public meetings. A private intimation was conveyed to Mr Sheehan, that Te Whiti "was very displeased wi,th the conduct of Hiroki, in'making, such an exhibition of himself on the day of meeting, and further stating that he had informed Hiroki that lie must not presume on the protection he had claimed, and which hail been extended to ,him. The piophet also., expressed great pleasure at Mr Sheehan’s vitit to him. The following morning was a beautiful one, and when the Native Minister learnt that Te Whiti and his people (some 1,500) were waiting for him, the party proceeded to the place of meeting. The first speaker wosTohu (the alter ego of Te Whiti), who was followed by Major Brown (Native Commissioner). A pause then ensued, during which Tito Kowarn was asked by two of his tribe to demand the Waimate Plains from Mr Sheehan, but as Tito thinks he had better make the best of it, and not irritate, the Government by fruitless opposition, be remained silent. Mr Sheehan then spoke, saying that he had come to see them, and to reply to anything that Tc Whiti might have to say. Te VVliiii repealed whatTohu had stated —that the meeting took place on the 18th, and Mr Sheehan should have been there then if he wanted to hear what he (To Whiti) had to say. He would not repeat what he had said, because when addresses passed his lips, they became public property, and he must refer the Native Minister to those who had hoard them.

The debate was then adjourned to Saturday morning, when it was resumed by Mr Sheehan. He said he bad passed by twice without calling onTe Whiti, in consequence of the protection which had been extended to Hiroki. This did not accord with the professions of peace between the two races —that there should he no more blood shedding. Hiroki should be given up, to be tried by law. About this time Te Whiti, having evidently lost his temper, interrupted the Native Minister, and poured out a torrent of abuse. He said lie would not listen to the lion, gentleman any longer, as he was unable to say whether his (Te Whiti’s) Parliament had given-him the confiscated land. The Government’were stealing the land, and Mr Sheehan was the greatest thief in the matter.

This outburst lasted for about half an hour, when Te Whiti subsided for want of breath. During the time, Mr Sheehan had remained standing, enjoying a smoke, and after the prophet had quietly seated himself, Mr Sheehan informed him that if he had listened to all he intended to say, without interruption, he would have heard a great deal more, and could then have replied. As Te Whiti had not followed this coarse, he (Mr Sheehan) would say no more. After taking leave of To Whiti and Tohu, Who chitted and shook hands, evidently not carrying public feeling into the relations between host and guest, the party left Parihaka, and the Native Minister travelled about 100 miles in twenty hours, in order to reach Wanganui in time to catch the steamer sailing for Wellington the next raornfng. A slight accident happened on the trip down from Ha were. The buggy was upset, but fortunately only a few bruises were sustained.