THE WAIKATO NATIVE MEETING.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 142, 3 May 1879, Page 2

THE WAIKATO NATIVE MEETING.

Alexandra, April 30. At a meeting of the Waikatos and Ngatimaniopotos, Tawhiao said that he would wish the Natives themselves to invite Sir G. Grey. He did not think it proper to do so himselt, seeing that he had already done so at the last meeting at Hikurangi. It was intended to have distributed the food when all the natives had arrived at Kopua, but pressing necessities compelled a partial distribution to-day. A carcase of beef, a number of sheep and pigs, were set apart for food for the Europeans who have taken up their quarters at Kopua. It is evident that nothing in the shape of business will be done until Sir George Grey and his party arrive. I understand that Sir George Grey will, it is expected, be hauled over the coals considerably for breaches of promises made at the Hikurangi meeting : to wit, the making of the Waipa and Raglan road, and for forgetting the sale of certain lands which were offered to be given back, etc. On the arrival of the four tribes above named, they will be challenged to a wardance, when it is to be opined that the oracles may be able to predict favorably as to the result of the meeting. The hotels are doing a roaring trade. Every bed is engaged, and shakedowns are the order of the night. I have just heard that Te Waihanui, one of the principal Ngatimaniopoto chiefs, will be one of the speakers when the meeting takes place. Ngaruawahia, April 30. The Ministerial partyproceedbysteamer to Alexandra to-morrow to attend the Native meeting. [From the Special Correspondent to the ‘ Press. ’] Alexandra, April 30. Your correspondent slept at Wbitiora’s place among the Ngatihaua Kingites close to Tawhiao’s house. To-day he interviewed Manuhiri and other leading chiefs. They all concur that there is no necessity for a special invitation to Sir G. Grey, as it was arranged definitely at Hikurangi that the present meeting should be made for him. Rewi expresses great anxiety as to Sir G. Grey’s arrival. Manuhiri, Hoard, and others state that the Kingites will not consent to the railway to Taranaki, but Tawhiao may permit its construction at a future time, himself retaining the management and profits. Tawhiao will not consent to receive a salary from the Government. He may come to live at Ngaruawahia or Wikari, where Sir George Grey’s meeting will be held, on this side of the boundary. Tawhiao issued a proclamation last night prohibiting Europeans from coming over from Ilamvai to Tomotomoki, where your correspondent now is. ■ Sir George Grey is expected here to-morrow, and a house has been prepared for him and Mr Sheehan. The Natives are encamped on an extensive plain, two and a half miles west of Kokepuke Hill, at the back of Pirongia Plain, surrounded by low undulating hills. The Waikatos are in tents. The Ngatimaniopopoto are encamped nearer to the Waipa river. Mr Searancke and Major Jackson were here last night. All the morning was spent in preparing food. A large number of pigs were slaughtered, being barbarously knocked on the head with axes and placed writhing on the fire. Great numbers of cattle are on the flat ready for slaughtering. Rewi to-day presented four bottles of grog to Major Jackson, but Tawhiao issued a proclamation against grog. About fifty Europeans are here. A great many tangis nre taking place for the dead who were killed in the last war. All Tawhiao’s gendarmes are dressed in white, with painted faces, and well armed, mostly with double-barrelled guns. Plenty of powder is wasted. The chief soldiers have firemen’s helmets and scarlet waistcoats. Manuhfri informs mo that the Waikatos and Ngatimaniopoto are in perfect accord as to the programme to be presented to meeting. The total at the meeting is not likely to exceed three thousand, To-day Te Wheoro’s people presented forty boxes of biscuits to the Waikatos and Ngatimaniopotos. The construction of the trunk railway to Taranaki may be a matter of years. At present the Natives will not consent to, it. Great pressure will be brought to bear against Tawhiao to prevent his accepting salary from Government, which they think would undermine his independence, and practically render him subservient to the Government. The friends of the Government here state that the trunk railway to Taranaki is not regarded as a sine qua non of the success of the present meeting. The Kingites are anxious about the truth of a rumor that the land near Harapipit promised them, has been sold. Manuhiri says it was distinctly promised to be restored by Sir D. McLean, and that Sir Donald offered Tawhiao a salary, which was refused. It is said the land at Harapipi was only surveyed, and not alienated. Any opposition raised by the settlers at the present juncture to the restoration of this land might complicate matters. To-day Messrs Von Sturmer, R.M., and Ross arrived. They were met by Rewi, who invited them to see the house prepared for Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan. Major Jackson, who stood by, asked Rewi to stand on the verandah and state whether he approved of Sir G. Grey’s proposals, and what programme he intended to propose.

Rewi replied—l have, toldore that I invited Grey here'. I have nothing to s?/ further than that. then took Mr Ross by the hand and Led him away. Te KoJua, May 1. Things here are in statu quo awaiting the arrival of Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr Sheehan. Distribution of food is still going on and the Natives are completing the erection of hua or break winds. I notice that they have not prepared #3 wet weather, as although the encarapf ment is on perfectly flat ground not a single trencli has been dug to carry off the water from the tents. The weather is very threatening, and I can imagine what the place will be, after a few hours of rain. All the Natives are anxiously enquiring as to Sir George Grey’s movements, and repeatedly the question is put, when will he arrive T Four large war canoes are going down to-day to bring him and his party from Alexandra. It had been arranged that the Ministerial party should stay at Hughes’ place, but, by the special desire of Eewi, they are to be located at Thomson’s. Mr Jackson, and other Europeans who had taken their quarters there, will have to evacuate and go under canvas, as Hughes feels disgusted and won’t take them in, his motto being out Caesar aut nullus. Harriet Thomson has been placed in charge of a canvas caravansary, where Europeans may obtain board and lodging free of charge, lavish hospitality being the order Of the day. Over fifty tons of potatoes, besides forty' tons of flour, ten tons of sugar, and bullocks, sheep, and pigs galore have been provided. There is some Hau-hau pork, prepared in fat, which had been a peculiar sort of vessel, made out of totara and mira bark. There is no doubt that the Kingites beat Kupupupa hollow in the way of handiwork, and it is to be hoped that the settlement of differences expected to result from the meeting may not destroy their present self-reliant spirit. My nasal organ has just informed me that I have omitted including innumerable sharks amongst the provision stock. Tawhaio’s quarters are immediately in the rear of the tents. A notice has been posted requesting Europeans to remain at Hawi, Alexandra. \ The four war canoes have arrived, and Sir G. Grey and party are expected up tonight. Rain has set in, and has continued since two o’clock this afternoon. It is very provoking that the Clerk of the Weather should side with the opposition. It will, of course, be impossible to do any business until the weather clears up. The agents of the Opposition fauntingly say that the Government party have done their utmost to secure a special invitation from Tawhaio to Sir George Grey, and have failed. Tawhaio himself considers that no special invitation is required at the present time, as the meeting was arranged at Hikurangi. I don’t see that the Oppositionists have anything to crow about, as the Natives are patiently waiting Sir George Grey’s arrival, evidently considering, that any meeting for business in his absence would be the play of Hamlet withoutethe Prince. Now that it is known that Sir George will attend the meeting the Opposition are doing their best to asperse his' character. I heard one of those gentlemen taken up by a Northern Native to-day on the question of attempting to dispose of the Waipa lands which were offered to the Kingites, the result being that he wife forced to subside. The Native said although an offer was made it had not been accepted, and therefore Sir George was not bound by it any more than he himself would be bound to give his pipe at some future time to a person who had refused to take it when offered. He said : “We Maoris are not blind. We know what you want. You would like Sir George to fail in this attempt to arrange matters amicably with the Kingites, so that Iris Government should get into disgrace with Parliament and be turned out of office. Then your side would go in and secure the lands for themselves.” A well-known half-cast living beyond the boundary, when speaking of the present crisis, said that he would like Sir George and Tawhaio to settle matters now, either one way or the other. Let the strongest take the management of affairs. He and his people had been acknowledging Tawhaio as supreme for several years past, and had been waiting for bim to give tokens of his supremacy. The Government side had proved to be the strongest, Tawhaio ought to accept the position and take the second place. Under the present regime the ownership of the lands was supposed to vest in Tawhaio’s hands, and the individual owners were debarred from deriving any benefit, except through actual occupation. If they had a chance of leasing or otherwise dealing with the surplus lands, their position would be materially improved. I think that the bulk of the Ngatimaniopoto tribe are of the same opinion. I have just heard from Mr Grace, that owing to the inclemency of the weather, Sir George Grey and party will not leave Ngaruawahia until to-morrow morning. On arrival here they will go in at once to Te Kopua.