THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2861, 16 April 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1878.

When the Hon. the Native Minister was last here he promised to return in a few weeks, as soon as the native meeting at Hikurangi had terminated. That projected gathering, from which so much was expected, is not likely to take place. Sir George Grey has gone to Wellington, the Thames natives who went over at the invitation of the Kingites returned some time ago, and the latest news from the Waikato seems to leave no doubt that the meeting of Ministers and Natives has been either indefinitely postponed or the project altogether abandoned, at least until alter the next session of Parliament* We would there fore urge upon the Native Minister that he redeem his promise of paying another visit to this district. He will be in a better position to talk to Tukukino now than he was before, for Tukukino's opposition has been declared to be unauthorised by one in authority amongst the King's people. According to an Auckland contemporary, Ngakau, Tawhiao's secretary, has said that if Tukukino has sold his land at Komata he should no longer oppos3 opening the road through it. Now we believe it is alleged, and with truth, that the land through which the road at Komata is proposed to be taken has been sold, therefore no further opposition should be offered. As the present season and weather are both favorable for road making, an early settlement of this question is desirable. The Native Minister knows well how to deal with the Natives. He can employ the fortiter in re as well as suaviter in modo style of argument, and his knowledge of Maori character is sufficient to suggest the most convincing of these styles. We hope he will soon come; of his success we have not much doubt.

[A telegram received since the above was written states that the meeting will "positively take place on the 30th instant." In the meantime we hope Mr Sheehan will renew his visit to the Thames.]