ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 722, 1 February 1877, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

■ ■ - ■ Jan 30, 1877. THEMA.TIVE MINISTER AND MANUHIRI. Che Hoh the Native Minister proceeded t< Kaipiha this morning, by canoe, m conse juence, it is said, of an invitation reoeivec trom Manuhiri, who had arrived ther< bhe day previous, m anticipation of j favourable reply being returned to hi invite. This is the first occasion upoi which thiß old ohief has ventured to inter view a Minister, since the unfortunate Waikato rebellion, which made him th guest of a strange tribe whose hospitalii; he had not accepted for several yeas pas' The old ohief appeaed better m healtL than it was expected he would be m, as his long illness of last winter was bujjposed to have weakened him very mucb. Major Mair and Mr Mackay are, probably, the only two connected with the G-overnnaent who have had any interviews with him since his seclusion. The former gentleman has met him twice at Te Kuiti, and so has the latter, at the same famous settlement. Upon arrival, close to the landing place, the usual cries of welcome were raised. Upon landing, the Native Minister and his party, .consisting of Col. Lyon, Mr, Bush, and the Native Chief Te Whero, proceeded to the cottage allotted to tbeir ute, where Manuhiri, Takerei, Waihou, Tarahawaiki and other principal Waikato chiefs were assembled to receive them. This they did most cordially, all shaking hands with the Native Minister and party. Major Mair was unable to accompany the Native Minister, m consequence of this being Court day. He, however, joined him about dinner time, as did, also, Mr Maokay. Of course, as usual, patience had to be exercised, the old ohief adhering strictly to the manner and usage of his ancestors, not attempting a further interview until he had taken m a lining of the usual potatoes and pig- After this, however, he came to the house accompanied by Te Kerei, Honana and others, but, as usual on such occasions, nothing was done except a further task on patience, a proceeding not understood, except by those w ho have the misfortune as part of their duty, however, so far as it "went, it appears that the Native Minister plainly gave them to understand that he came there to see Manuhiri expressly at his request, and now that they

had seen each other, if he desir.d to f peak to him, be was prepared to listen, it' he had nothing to say, he would return to Alexandra, where, if he wished a fuither interview, he would find him the next morning. The Native Minister appeal a to h*ve taken the proper stand from the commencement, which, no doubt, will ere long, show to them ttjat jshiJly-> shollying and cunning diplomacy will not receive much countenance from him ; that if they really moan business, he is prepared to meet them, and give them a chance of coming to a satisfactory and permanent arrangement. — Own Cobbes-" pondent.