THE PREMIER AND TAWHIAO.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2800, 4 February 1878, Page 2

THE PREMIER AND TAWHIAO.

Meeting in Waikato. Rewi to go to Wellington next Session. Xingites have not asked "Waikato to be given baok. They Accept the Situation. Tawhiao's Secretary to "frank" letters and telegrams. (Per Pbebs Agency.) Auckland, This day. The Herald correspondent at the Kingite meeting telegraphs that the natives are mostly lodged in tents on ft small flat of Whakiroiro. Three tents have been pitched for the accommodation of Sir George Grey and those with him. To-day Tawhiao came orer to see Sir George, and his sister Tiria dined with Grey. . Tawhiao apparently is in good humour, and most friendly.

Sir George Grey has decided not to leave Alexandra on Sunday. Deputations are here from other Waikato settlements asking that he should visit them. He will visit Te Awamutu to-day, and will probably not reach Auckland till Tuesday. , Te Wheoro will accompany Eewi to. Wellington during the next session. Eewi is about to build a good house at Te Kopua. He said he was ashamed at not being able to lodge the Premier and the Native Minister belter.

Several natives : spoke about getting reaping machines to enable them to go much more extensively into wheat cultivation.

During the whole meeting not a single word wns spoken about giving back Waikato. On the contrary, instead of indulging in such a dream, Tawhiao and Manuhiri were anxious to obtain crown grants for small pieces of land to which Potatau was entitled at Mangere, Pukapiika, and Ngaruawahia, showing they take for granted the irrevocable nature of the confiscation, and now for the first time acquiesce in it. JKewi said to Sir George Grey this morning, that he must see the Kingites four times. The first was the planting of the tree, the second would be promoting of its growth, and the third and fourth times the tree will be flourishing and bear fruit. Eewi pressed' upon Sir George that it was an unfortunate thing that certain persons should be allowed to pass the border and negotiate for land; . Eewi had a conversation with Mr Sheehan with reference, to some land disputes. A featurt, that the pieces of land referred to are all beyond the confiscated boundary, is important, as all the conversation was a palpable acceptance of the position of affairs left by the war. Two children connected with the principal Hauhau families are coming to St. Stephen's School, Auckland. Mr Sheehan had a good deal of busi. j ness with the Hauhaus, just as if they j had been Queenite natives. There can be no doubt that Sir George Grey throughout has been much indebted to Te Wheoro for his active exertions; in fact for any success that may result the natives themselves will be in part entitled to the thanks of the colony. *

On Saturday, after the conclusion of the public speeches, Sir George Grey, Mr oheehan, Tawhiao, Hoani Bnhe and others. of the principal. men.- had - a - conference, at which a second meeting ■ was fixed for March, and it was agreed that the Premier and JSTative Minister should pay a private visit; should stay with Tawhiao some time, going with him into the interior; Tawhiao said he .would communicate with the Government! in reference to all matters of importance, and asked that his secretary should hare the privilege of sending telegrams and letters from him to the Premier as Sir George Grey's secretary could do. The Premier has consented to this. ' ' Alexandra (via Wellington.) This day.

The Premier and Defence Minister and their party met yesterday Tawhiao. and his two sops, Manuhiri, Rewi, the Hauhaus, Taoni te Ngakau Tahirihio and all the' principal i chiefs with some two tbousand fire hundred natives. Manuhiri was the first speaker, and he congratulated the Premier. He had hot seem him for seventeen yearn. For the whole of that time his heart had been longing for;an interview. Welcome. ■■

Hanara: Come Hoani Nahe to tee us, those who are living and those who have passed away. Welcome to you who belong to both H&uraki and Waikato. Hoani Nahe: I reciprocate your welcome this day—Sir G. Grey and Tawhiao we will not interfere.

Sir George Grey : Waikato and Ngatiamaniopoto—l am glad to meet you here. It will be work for I and Tawhiao to reunite our people who have been so long separated, and it is for us to plant this day that may long flourish hereafter, and benefit not only us but those who may come after us.

ifiewi: Welcome, Governor Grey, come and see us all, and welcome for those who have passed away. (Hewi then produced a seal Belonging to Pototau the first, saying, " The owner of this is dead, but the spirit is here. Look at it. None of your chiefs speak; there is only one man to speak—meaning Tawhiao). This concluded the meeting, but all the chiefs then visited the Premier and Defence Minister, the King staying at Grey's tent to sapper together. All the party returned here to-day, Grey riding overland, calling at Kaipaha and other places en route. The party leave here probably for Te Awamutu tomorrow.