The Native Minister.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4460, 21 April 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Native Minister.

An Alexandra correspondent telegraphs as follows:—The Waikatos are strongly opposed to Mr Bryoe going throughout without the formal consent of Tawhiao, but as the land through which he will .pass all belongs to the Ngatimaniapoto natives, the Minister does not apparently consider it necessary to consult the King in the matter. As to Wahanui's attitude, that isi in■;one sense favorable; although he has not formally invited Mr Bryce to go through, he will offer no objection. Te Wetere is the, only Ngatimaniapoto chief who has directly invited the Minister to igo through the country; others, however, are favorable to. the survey being made, and are not opposed to -Bryce's journey. Humours of a^threatened obstruction are still current, and the names of Aporo, Taratutu, Rangikaruru, arid Peneaha are mentioned in; connection therewith. It is said that the expedition will be told to tutu back after crossing Whatiwhatihoe bridge, but no serious opposition will be offered until it penetrates further inland. These rumours may of course mean something, but as Rangikaruru has expressed his displeasure at the action of Mahuki. Ido not regard them.as of much itnpor- ; lance. •/ i.. : ■ ■ ■?.:'■.■ .. ,<;. ... . : -. ..:■.' -■... . ' Alexandra, April 16. - ; Mr .'Bryce and party left .here this moraiog, en route for Taranaki, through; '. the King Country. Te Wetisre with his escort of Ngatimaniapotos will join him atTe Uira, which is about the end of the first day's journey. Owing to the floods the journey to the upper Mokau is expected to take three days instead of two, and from there to New Plymouth two more. No opposition is now expected. Nothing of interest has transpired at Te Kuiti. __:-■' '.:'.. . ■:, . „/'"'■ , . ....■ No opposition was offered at WhatU whatihoe Bridge, and,the party passed; over and out of- sight of the, bridge un? opposed aud unchallenged. The party left Alexandra at 9 a.m. The weather is overcast, but not threatening immediate rain. Auckland, April 17. News to hand from Bryce's party states that they reached Otorohangi, 17 miles from Alexandra, yesterday afternoon without opposition. Two unimportant chiefs stopped the party at 'different places to speak to them. Theyfirst asked if the journey was a peaceable one, and the second said but for Taonui's letter a verbal protest would; have been made against the journey. /Five natives from the meeting at Te Kuiti joined.the party last night, including Wi Pere and Alex. Thompson.. .• ■.■.■•.-•. 1The meeting is not yet over, but it has been agreed to ask Parliament to pass a bill recognising the division of the Ngatimaniapbto lands and cheapening their passage through the Court. The creeks are much swollen, but there have- been no accidents, beyond that to a man named Lewis, .who was thrown from hiS'horse, but not injured. ; v . - t ■ V ; AuCKIANDi April 19.:;. It is stated that the native meeting tat Te Kuiti has passed a t»Bolution that Mr Bryce be allowed to go through, but that ha was not to H alloired tomake a survey until they were quite dear about hoy

their lands were to be dealt with/ Tawhiao -:" will soon) be present at the meeting. The Natives ■ Besertes Aot, vhich Mr Bryce caused to have passed.last session, .;. and which he was very anxious to bring f into operation oyer lands in^ the King conatry, was brought up, but the Mfljtt^yi would have nothing to do with it* '^^^HH were afraid if they gave a piece*of M^^B the Government to deal .with, thata^^^H ters would issue a proclamation' tj|^^HH large I districts, as they have doSPWH -land between Eotorua and the Waikato., '; ■ Mr Bryce; and; party, arrived at <)toron?; gaha on Tuesday;. A- railway can, be V , cheaply- constructed to that point. Wi'^ Pere and others met/Mr Bryce as|dele-. gates f rqm the TeEuiti meeting; they jJstated that the meeting had decided on a :"'. t petition to Parliament asking it to amend } ] the law dealing with /native land. .The- ?j natives did not seem quite clear about what they wanted; but the nature of the " proposals are as 'oliows:-—The chiefs find they are losing influence as lands are sold» and they/wish to;pre.Tjsnt those willing tb;, 4 . sell from so doing. IThey would iaVe' it'{■.; that where land is held in common, the ' majority should have power to prevent in- J dividualisation of the title. * i Tawhiao^ with 200 fpjlpwers arriTed at „Z t Cambridge. Mr Sheehan made a speech of welcome, saying that the King had seen Europeans and natives living in harmony a^ Wanganui and elsewhere) and recommended him to do liketvise. Tawhiao ,/ made no reply., . V v '\ v./ '',' ".'. ■-.'''/:.' .].■■■