NATIVE MEETING AT HIKURANGI.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 817, 11 September 1877, Page 3

NATIVE MEETING AT HIKURANGI.

Sib, — This is nay word to you wHy I did not go to the meeting, and what would have been tn.v thoughts on the talk thereat if I had gone. Why I did not go, the road is long, my horses <■ are. ppon« and little food for them if th«y got there, besides I have but tbree hfimtt Hr carry myself and throe wives/a-d laid not wish to leave one of them behidd to tempt the young men of bur tribe, or even a stray pakeba. 1 I always pay 1 great respect to the word of oar old'MissioDery, Mr Ash well, to the i young women,. lead us not into temptation. The invitation was, come into the (waka) < oanoe. Tawhiao has the steering paddle, come; and set 1« at Hikuraogi, undey -the shadow Vof the Maori King. My word to 'all the tribes assembled m thft, who launched the waka on the rapid and dangerous stream with many ohannela and sunken rooks. Who his stewed it, and what has been the result? Are you ajl not satisfied with the shipwreck of the whole crew who took passage, -and do you want to pull th«m from the rook to whiph they had clvn j, and cast them again into the rapids. My word to you is, that one waka oannot have two crews and' two to steer, or w« t-hall take the rong channel full of rocks and danger. Let he who knowß the passage tske the paddle, that we may float m smooth water. My word also reßpectiog future meetings is, to Bend the purport of it to the newspapers, that all may know and discuss it freely m our own kaingas, so that' those who dp not wish to take along journey for nOthiog, may send their thoughts to the WAtkatO Times, when it may be published, as this paper is always ready to hear both sides of any qurß'ion to »jet at the truth, and for the good of the country.— Enough from Tamata Taupiri. • : -