NATIVE MEETING AT HUNTLY

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 264, 26 March 1898, Page 2

NATIVE MEETING AT HUNTLY

(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESrOI'DENT). Huntly, Last Night. Hon. J. CARunLr,, the Colonial Secretary, accompanied by Messrs P. Lawry and J. J. Holland, M.H.R.s., were conveyed across to the Maori mectiug at Wahi, this morning, in the large war canoe Taheretikitiki, manned by a crew of lorty Maoris in native costume. '1 he party were received with songs of welcome, and n.arched to the meeting place, headed by the brass band. Taingakawa To Waharoa, the Maori Premier, received the visitors in the centre of the village, and made a speech of welcome. King Mahutu also ap pearcd and briefly welcomed the strangers. Mr Carroll saluted the King and the people. He said he was agreeable to listen to what they wished to say to him as the representative of the Government. Henare Kaihau, M.H.R., said the people had not yet had an opportunity of settling on definite resolutions, and asked Mr Carroll to wait till the pro» ceclings were further advanced. He wished to invite Mr Carroll to be present again whenever he (Mr Carroll) found it convenient. Mr Carroll thereupon said Tuesday would suit him to come back and address the people. By that time it is expected the Maori Council will have come to some definite decision, and will then listen to Mr Carroll expound the Government policy in regard to the natives and their lands. Mr Carroll goes to Auckland to-mor-row, and will return here next week. The Kingite Council evidently wishes the Government to acknowledge Mahuta as King for the Maori people, but they are too sanguine. The natives assembled are not at all unanimous on the question of Kaihau's Bill. A number of visitors, including the Ngatikahuhunu and Ngatiraukawa from Hawke's Bay and Wellington, are in favour of a federated union of tribes ruled by a purely Maori Parliament. Hamiora Mangakahia, from the East Coast, is the principal advocate of the Maori Parliament as opposed to the Kingite proposals. The meeting will last over a week yet, and Councils of the chiefs are held daily. John Ormsby, of Kopua, Waipa, has been elected Chairman of the proceedings.