HIKURANGI.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2877, 6 May 1878, Page 2

HIKURANGI.

(Via/Alexandra), Saturday, There has been no business yet. Yesterday the food was distributed, consisting of 19 carcasses of beef, 270 bags of flour, a quantity of sugar, and 50 tons of potatoes. It is said by the natives that this is the largest assemblage of natives for many years. They estimate that some four thousand and upwards are here. It was a great sight to see the multitude carrying the food with the usual ceremonies, of singing, grimacing, and dancing. A large number of natives are on duty as policemen. A regular patrol is carried on and the by-laws are very strict, and somewhat ludicrous. >

A reporter from one of the Auckland papers was en route, but was stopped at Kopua, and requested to return to Alexandra to await Sir George Grey's arrival. The King'has a guard over his quarters* and a regular sentry too is kept. The sentinels, to relieve the monotony, occasionally amuse themselves by firing shots at a tree. This brings out his Majesty, who fires several shots himself, showing that powder^is in no way scarce. It rained here.last night up to nine o'clock this morning, which has made everything uncomfortable. The roads, are ankledeep in mud. Sleep here is impossible. The houses are crammed to suffocation, and card playing is going on all night. Sir Geo. Grey and Mr Sheehan are now most anxiously looked for. Kewi and party are not here as yet.