FROM CORRESPONDENTS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1930, 11 March 1875, Page 2

FROM CORRESPONDENTS.

Tatjeanga, Wednesday. The Luna arrived at Whukatane on Saturday, the 6th inst., taking Sir Donald McLean, Colonel St. John, Under Secretary Clarke, the Bay of Plenty Times special, and the .Ngaiterangi tribe. Found there representatives of every section of the JNgatiawa, inhabitants of the Bay of Plenty from Cap 9 liunaway to Katikati, includng the Uriwera from the interior. The total number present was 700. The Whakatane tribes had convened a meeting to witness the opening of the newly carved house, called " Matatua," after the name of the canoe which brought their ancestors from Hawaiki. Monday was devoted to the ceremony of publicly opening the house, after which complimentary speeches were made to the £ ative Minister by each tribe, the whole winding up by dances. Tuesday was occupied by business. The first interview was with the Uriwera, who asked for a modification of the confiscated boundary, ahe Native Minister refused to concede a point, and by argument demonstrated the justice, to which they unconditionally agreed. The next disMission was re acquisition hy Europeans of land within their territory, which also was satisfactorily settled. The remainder of the day was occupied in meeting separately those other tribes, who each brought forward individual grievances. Taken altogether—the quiet and orderly behaviour of the Natives, the meeting

may be regarded as the most satisfactory ever held in the Bay of Plenty. Sir Donald leaves for Maketu to interview the Arawa to-morrow. This day. The Luna is windbound in Tauranga, Sir Donald McLean proceed! by first chance to Maketu, with Natives. The Native Minister and party attend another monster Native, meeting-—thence Bouth. The Native Minister leaves for Maketu on moderation of the easterly weather. The Times special accompanies him. Th« Arawas will muster very strong, and the Uriwera will be present.