AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2881, 10 May 1878, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

This day. Native and Government Meeting at Hikurangi.

- Tawhiao demands Waikato back.

Proposals made "by the Premier.

The Star's' special messenger from Hikurangi to Alexandra this morning brings the following dispatch : Mr Sheehan has arranged the difficulty between Te Ngakau and Mr Walker, settler, re the stolen cattle. The former returns Ngakau's dray and bullocks, which he seized in satisfaction. A mounted messenger from Eewi, chief of Ngatimaniapotos (who is still at his settlement, Punui), has arrived, stating that Re wi. has convened a meeting of his people at Te Euiti, where all the matters he intends to submit to Sir George Grey will" be settled. Sir George Grey will return after being present at the meeting and subsequently meet the Ngatimaniapotos at Te Kuiti. Preparations for another open air meeting at Hikurangi to-day have just been commenced.

Later. A Star special despatch of this morning's meeting says:—Tawhiao proposed that the pakehas should go back to the other side of Maungatawhiri and let them -have~that-side~ ahdhim "the otheir side; He would not consent to a road being opened or surveys. They must come to him for that. This amounted to demanding back Waikato, as was done of Sir Donald McLean at his meeting. Sir George Grey replied that the demand for the restoration of Waiokato had been repeatedly made. Tawhiao and his people were aware it could not be conceded. He was prepared, however, to assist the chiefs in standing on their mana and authority in their own' district, so that peace and goodwill might light on the tribes. It would be for them to say whether" the Natives should lease or sell in their own district. He would give Tawhiao five hundred pounds a year, and some chiefs to assist him in the district, a lump sum to distribute in the territory, he to have the control of his own district. -He would also give five hundred acres at Ngaruawahia, so that he might be near the grave of their ancestors, and would erect a house there for Tawhiao and bis rainga, and would also give the land remaining unsold as far as the west bank of the Waikato to the mouth of the river, and allotments in the towns of Waikato. He wished them to become rich, and these lands would make them so. Roads to be determined by Tawhiao and the Government. He said the Europeans were multiplying, and he therefore wished the matter settled quickly. The proposals were given in writing to the natives, who asked time to consider, which was granted.