THE NATIVE MINISTER AND TAWHAIO.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 9662, 30 October 1882, Page 2

THE NATIVE MINISTER AND TAWHAIO.

' ♦ (per united pkess association.) Atjokiahd, Oct. 28. There are not more than 500 natives here, and they are divided into two camps, the Waikatos 'being by themselves, and the Maniapotos by themselves. The natives assembled at 10 o'clock, but Mr Bryce did not come till 11. About a quarter to the hoar Tawhaio stood up and said Sir Bryce was coming there that day to see the people, but no talking as to business would tako

place: After they had seen one another then they would fix a day when talking should commence. , This was merely a friendly meeting of a preliminary character.; Mr'Jßryce on his arrival went and shook hands with Tawhaio, and sat down before him, silence being observed for some time. Tawhaio then went back and welcomed them, saying " It is good to come and see us all. This was the day for seeing one another. We will pick out a good day to settle business. We want a warm day so- that^our blankets may be thrown off. He had a word to say about the Land, Court, but it : would'be 'spoken at another time." Te Wheoro sat by his side prompting him. '•: Mr Bryce rose and said; "I greet you as you have greeted me for all our people. I reciprocate your good wishes. Let this ,be a day of "greeting,, a^day of good will. Let' us" not in future look back on this with regret;" and he then said that her was ..'ready to speak : . of ojthar matters, greeting, T\ro ways there' were of , speaking, one ' open, the other keeping something back. - If this were a day of greeting, then he, should let it be so ; tbat when the time oame to speak of tribal business, he would apeak plain as he always did, and he hoped [ Tawhaio would also Bpeak plainly. If he did ao all the clouds would disappear He stood there as the friend of Tawhiaq's if he would accept him as such. With his help he would do much, without.it he could do little. He. was prepared 'to .be his friend. Tawhaio said, in reply, " Listen, I'll speak plainly and you must do the same. You have been dead, ,and now you are alive." ' ,He then came out and sat down -beside Mr'Biyde. and the people then began ..to- disperse. Mr Bryce went over and shook hands with Whanui;, and * the ■ publio business of the day was thus over in half-an-hour. Later in the day Mr Bryce presented Tawhaio with a gold railway pass for the whole of the New Zealand Eailways for life or as he said "so long jas" you live.' 1 , TaVhaio simply." : replied he WjOufd take it.' ':The pass,; his -.two "fern leaves on'one Bide and " Free'Eailway Pass.," and one other word' '.''Tawhaio." The presentation took " : place ' fat" r 6ne o'clock, and Mr_;Bryoe returned td J the settlement before two. He and Tawhaio seem to get. along very well together!