THE KING MEETING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2854, 18 May 1882, Page 2

THE KING MEETING.

[By Telegraph.] . ‘ - Alexandra, May 17. To-day’s, meeting commenced about eleven o’clock., Tawhaio came on the ground very drank, and lay among the people. After the lapse -of a fdw minutes Paul of Orakei referred at some length to‘ the’state of Tawhiao, saying that on account of the. same nothing could be done that day. Te Wheoro followed and admitted the unseemly state of things, and reproached the chief of tho people for setting an example of drunkenness, instead of endeavoring .to suppress the same. He hoped all the people, including Mr Bush, the Government representative, would assist him in bringing the matter before Parliament, 'so that a settlement" may be arrived at. WahanuT spoke at length, advocating‘the establishment of a Press. Tawhiao who, during the meeting was lying incapable.on the ground, got on his feet about 1.30 o'clock and delivered the following, speech: —“I wish that Parliament should be brought to Auckland, so that I may go there and speak and converse freely with it. If the late Sir Donald McLean wore living I would not regard anything you should say. I would have gone with him had he lived. Two words he spoke—just words and great words, and I could not overcome these words, and I was drawing near to them. Although he is dead, his words live.. Although he was a pakeha, and I am a Maori, he was-like a brother to me. Although he is still in existence in spite, and I will go hither and thither in the district.” Tawaiho then ably referred to some money matters with Sir Donald, and proceeded thus. I said “ take the money away back; to the bank, and let that money intended for me remain there.” Then addressing the pakehas, he said, “ Letyour administration be correct even beyond what I expected, so that it may be ’beyond what I have already uttered.” Speaking of Te Whiti, Tohu and Hiroki, Tawhiao saidhe wished they were present that he might speak of them. What man was without love for his people ? Therefore, he desired to look upon these people that they might talk together. He then proceeded:—“ If I am going through the district I will not conceal it but make it known. I shall say—- ‘ Lie down quickly and peacefully.’ , If I find that a European is similar to Sir D. McLean I shall take him away. I should take him, and he take mo. I run hither and thither, so shall Puhuki, Paul of Orakie, Grey, of Mongonui, and Topia. This one and that one will run about through the‘district. Let’all your arrangements ; be carried out rightly so that I may secure these good things and. kindly things• Therefore I say let your actions be just, just, just. Let things be done so that I may carry in my arms that which is good and that which is right. Don’t suppose that 1 am one to leap here and leap there. Let your European administrators bo just, and my word be fixed upon that. Understand that Wh'atiwjiatihoe is the placb of the Maoris, and hero I am the man, and that Alexandria is the place of the pakehas, and there 1 am the man. Whatever results you come to they will be submitted *.o me. All the evils have been trodden down under my feet—the confusion and darkness as well as other things, and this day I put them under my feet, so that we might do good to one another. What Mr Whitaker said about trampling on (he soil under foot, and that" everything should bo peaceful, was right. You have heard that I have been to Auckland. If I sec What is right, I shall be (here and rest on what is right. If I see what is wrong I will not accede to it. Be patient. I won’t have taken away what is just, so that wo may all sit together and : become united. I say about the printing press it is mine. It is right, arid let the worst of all the places bo right. Those words arc at an end.”