IMPORTANT NATIVE MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 908, 18 April 1878, Page 2

IMPORTANT NATIVE MEETING.

AUCKLAND, last night. James Atkin, nephew of Atkin, land agent, studying law with Hosketh and Richmond, dropped de:id m Fort-street, to-day, of serous apoplexy. Montague, son of Mr McMurdo Insurance agent, was thrown from his horse, and sustained concussion of the braiu j his life is despared of. NAPIKR, last nighfcT" A large native gathering was hold m this district, at which representatives from Opotiki, Wairarapa, Taupo, "Waikato, and Poverty Bay, 1,400 altogether were present. "Wircmukingi and his tribe assented to the objects of the meeting. A chief from Waiiarapa, called Manukiri, asked the meeting to appoint a committee of twelve, consisting of the principal chiefs present, to consider and report on various questions of native importance. The request was agreed to, and a committee of 24 was appointed, every tribe being represented. The committee met and repotted as follows : It was agreed that a national committee be appointed, consisting of one representative of ea.ch tribe m the North Island, the said committee to meet once a year prior to the meeting of the General Assembly, and take into consideration all native petitions and questions connected with native affairs proposed to be brought before Parliament ; the decision of the committee to be final. The twenty-four consented to this proposal, viz., the Natekahungunga, from Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, Waivoa, Tauranga, and Tologa Bay a portion of the Ngatiporou triSe, of Mangauui, Taupo, Rangitiki, and various others. All these tribes consented to have their affairs managed by tho proposed committee, and also proposed tj give certain powers to the committee. The lecommendations and proposals of the committee were then put to the general meeting, and agreed to by 1,454 male natives, who signed a paper to that effect, Renata asked the chiefs' and tribes whether they would support Sir George Gr«?y and Mr Sheehan, and it was agreed to give them a trial. The native proposals, re the Land Bill, included a Native Lands Court, piesidcd over by natives — no lands to be sold except -through the Court. Karaiuiana signifies his intention, m the event of a dissolution, of not again seeking to represent the East Coast district. CHRISTCHURC.iI, last night. Tramp Card scratched last night for Great Handicap, is not likely to start for juiy evsat. •