POROTI NATIVE MEETING. A LARGE GATHERING.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 361, 20 April 1889, Page 5

POROTI NATIVE MEETING. A LARGE GATHERING.

Whangabei, April 18. The native meeting at Poroti is proceeding. It is estimated that the number of Maoris present is five hundred. Sir F. Whitaker drove out yesterday forenoon and was received very cordially. After lunch was disposed ol the speaking commenced in a large awning, under which mats and nikau were spread to sit on. The natives sat all round and Sir Fred and Mr Clendon were accommodated with chairs. Very few pakehas were present. Mr Clendon interpreted. Sir Frederick asked the natives to state what they had to say, and he would answer and attend to it as the representative of the Government. Pomare Kingi (half-caste) spoke first. He said he was glad to see Te Whitaker present and Mr Clendon. He greeted them, but regretted the Native Minister's absence (eruera), as knew more than any other person about their troubles. Kawhiti Marsh then spoke. After greetings he said about the late trouble that the Government had not interfered in time to prevent bloodshed. He came and took possession of the land, and he still held it in his hand ;• that is, the committee held it. It was too late lor the Government to interfere. Taurau spoke and also Eru Nehua, and some others. Sydney Taiwhanga complained about the injustice to natives respecting rating, dog tax, JNative Land Courts, surveys, etc. Sir Frederick answered briefly. Eru Nehua (half-caste) asked afterwards what was the intention of the Government in reference to the last fi^ht. Would they take Taurau and others prisoners and take possession of the land ? Sir Frederick answered that in the case of Europeans that would have been done, but considering that the fight was in accordance with native customs or usages and other circumstances surrounding the affair, the Government would not take any such steps. He warned them, however, that in any] similar occurrence in the future the Government would put it down at once and take the parties prisoners. He said the owners of the land had applied to have the land surveyed and the Government had granted their request and sent a surveyor. The Government would not allow parties from other districts to prevent people who owned the land from having 1 it surveyed and passed through the Land Court. He would not discuss the questions brought up by Sydney Tawihang. They had been gone over twice already at Orakei and at Waicangi. The meeting broke up early to allow the Government party to return to Whangarei. The natives were very orderly throughout the proceedings. The questions will be turbhrr considered by themselves to ; day, and it is hoped finally disposed of.