MEETING OF NATIVES WTH MR. M'LEAN.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 798, 6 April 1871, Page 2

MEETING OF NATIVES WTH MR. M'LEAN.

The " Thames Advertiser," of March 25tb, says ;—" An important meeting took place yesterday morning at the Volunteer Hall, Shortland, between the Native Minister and some of the chiefs of the Thames, who brought with them what they call a party of strangers (tau iwi), that had been for some time in rebellion, and who were anxious to tender their submission, relinquish all further hostilities, and have a portion of land assigned to them, by which they could be separated from any difficulties or native complications that might arise in the Waikato or Hauraki districts. The principal speakers expressed regret for their past misconduct, and admitted that they had seen their error, that they would never again take up arms against the Government ; on the con. trary, they would use all their influence in preventing hostilities, and in inducing natives who were still clinging to Hau-hauism and antagonism to Europeans, to unite with them in pursuing a quiet and peaceable life. Pa* ora Toki, one of the speakers, threw his stick on the ground as a symbol of their submission,and afterwards handed a loaded revolver, with accoutrements and ammunition, to the Native Minister. The Native Minister stated tliat the Government might justly punish with great severity those natives who had been fightingagainst it,but with the exception of men who had been guilty of secret murders, it was not intended to punish those who had fought in open daylight and been defeated. They must not suppose, however that the Government overlooked or forgave the punishment due to notorious criminals, and they might as well know that chastisement would follow crime with an unerring certainty, although delayed. A remark had been made by which it would appear that the Government had condoned the late murder at Waikato, but he wished the people of Hauraki to understand that such was not the case—that a large body of the friendly chiefs iu the island had abked the Government in the first instance to be allowed to make a demand for the murderers, and if they were not surrendered the fault would then rest with the Waikatos, j who had clearly transgressed the peace I that prevailed, and who would bavo j but little sympathy from other tribes iu the event of their persisting in sheltering murderers. Mr M'Lean stated that he held no communication with the Waikatos who were sns-

of upholding the murderers, ■ffkt that ho met Rewi, who had of his ; own accord used every effort to get them handed over to be dealt with by law, as he did not desire that Ngatimaniapoto should lose their land owing to the works of VVaikato with respect to the murder of Mr Todd. Reference was also made by the Native Minister to the childish folly of Te Hira and others in obstructing the carrying of the mail."