The Waimate Difficulty.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3174, 22 April 1879, Page 2

The Waimate Difficulty.

MR MACKAY AT PAEIHAKA.

Opunake.

Mr Mackay, Captain Blake, and your reporter left New Plymouth on Tuesday afternoon for Paribaka, which was reached at 10 o'clock next morning. It was palpable that in the native mind the visit was all important. Six hundred of the Ngatiruanui and Ngatiawa tribes haying assembled, Mr Mackay was received on all sides with salutations of " Haeremai! haeremai!" Come ! You are welcome! Even the children clapped their hands and shouted his name. The time of meeting having arrived, Te Whiti sent for Mr Mackay, who was accommodated with a mat close to the terrace, on which were the speakers. The natives were all dressed in new finery, and Te Whiti, who is generally slovenly in appearance, had a new shawl over him. He spoke for over two hours in a vigorous strain, and his peroration was delivered without the slightest sign of fatigue. The burden of his discourse was a pressing desire for

peace. Ho stood up to preserre right between both races, to protect the widows and orphans, and, if they followed his counsels, not a hair of their heads should be hurt. His sun had been obscuved, but now ho would stand before them as the preserver of peace. Selflaudation was a favourite theme, and he continually referred to what he had done for the Maoris, but his similes,were so allegorical and wero so full of Scriptural allusions, that not one-half present could divine his meaning. He prognosticated that there wou'd be no fighting :n his day, and stated that he took credit for his prophecies, which were divulged to him by a superior power. Silver and gold migLt be broken, . but his word would not be broken. His sword was his tongue. If they ro^o against him, they could not reason with the wisdom of his tongue. He was an advocate of peace, and if they kept quiet no harm would befall them. Tohu, another chief of the the Taranaki tribe, asked those who had ears to listen to what was said to-dny. The Government finished their difficulty with the sword; Te Wiriti would finish his with his tongue. If he had done wrong they would laugh at him, and turn to the Government. The King (Tawhiao) had finished hia. difficulties by throwing over the Maoris.

Food was then brought in, and Mr Mack'ay, not to disturb them, at mealtime, deferred his karoro until next day. Hiroki, who at all times had one of his body of protectors with him, assisted in placing the food, and Titokowaru, with his tribe occupied a prominent place in the assembly. Your correspondent had a private conversation with Te Whiti in the evening. He eulogised Mr Mackay as a shrewd and just diplomatist, one who talked so that he could be understood, and was careful in speech. Te Whiti is slightbuilt man, with rather feminine appearance. Although ouly 48, his grey beard makes him look older. He seems to have read a good deal, and inquired whether it was true that a race of men with tails had been discovered. He also asked what the papers md the Europeans said about him and his people, and whether it was true that troops had been brought from Olago ? He mikes himself very humble among his people, and has great fondness for his pig, which he feeds himself. He came to the settlement before the war, and never since has been out of it.

At 9 o'clock the following morning Mr Mackay was sent for, and, addressing the natives, said their day waa Te Wlili's day, but that was his. What was said then was good, and he wished his words to convey good. They desired peace and plenty, and he would shew them the best way to get both. He then proceeded to explain to them about land which has been confiscated, and stated that some of the natires were not satisfied about the issua of Crown grants' for their land, anil it should be carefully considered what they were entitled to, and their Crown grants should be given to them. They should not be obstinate with the Government, as the Government did not wish to be hard upon them. He thought the wise course would be having a commission*of inquiry to decide these claims and bring peace to the country. He was prepared to propose this to Mr Sheehan, to whdm he had explained what took place between them when they last met. He urged them to think carefully for themselves, and even if they were vexed about anything, he urged t!iem to ponder over what he said. He would treat them in a straightforward way. He thought he had done right and just to his own race and theirs. His words were for peace and quietness between them and the Europeans throughout the colony. : ~

Tohu asked the meeting to pay attention to him, for the powers of the Government had all died, and he was master of both races. He knew from Divine sources that a disturbance could not occur. Mr Mackay had gone away and returned with the same opinion, therefore he (Tohu) must govern the Government. Tawhiao had created all the disturbance. The Europeans had failed, and were cursed. Mr Mackay asked them to talk coolly, without being vexed. His remarks about the Commission seemed to give general satisfaction, but Te Whiti .was annoyed, as he was afraid of his.settlement being broken up by other tribes returning. :He made a long harangue, but it was so full of metaphors and self-praise that no one could understand it. He repeatedly tried to stop Mr Mackay from speaking, but the latter, much to the amusement of those present, persisted in doing so. He told Te Whiti he was assuming the supernatural.—Herald Reporter.