THE WAITARA MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 941, 4 July 1878, Page 2

THE WAITARA MEETING.

Owing to the stoppage of the telegraph wires, we were unable to give i the account of Saturday's meeting iu our last issue. "We now learn that the meeting was brought to a most satisfactory close on Saturday. The meeting of the preceding day had closed with the demand by Rewi for the return of Waitara. This demand has. been explained thus : It was arranged at a previous private meeting that liewi should be recognised as the Commissioner, to treat on the part of the natives with the Goverement for bringiug about a final and complete union between the two races. In order that this should be doue, it was agreed that the first cause of difference, which the natives regarded as Waitara, should be symbolically taken to represent the quarrel and separation between natives and Europeans, and that these should be therefore said to be placed for adjustment and settlement in the bands of Sir George Grey and Rewi, as representatives of the two sides of the dispute ; that a public recanciliation have taken place between these two, they should then proceed as friends to adjust the whole matter iu' dispute, with a view to bringing about an entire and lasting j? reconciliation and union. It was to indicate this circumstance that Rewi explained in his speech to the assembly of Europeans arid natives, that the name of the Waitara had nothing to do with thoir lands or possessions in that place.

When the meetiug on Saturday was opened Rewi then spoke a few words to the native people, after which, turning to Sir George Grey, he said : What I have to say is this, I wish you to give me Wai,tara.

Sir George Grey said : Waitara is now given up to both of us. It belongs to us two. This is the reason why we should take our liwids from one another's heads, and cease struggdinff.

At Rewi's request this was inter preted te the natives. Rewi gave a short explanation of what had just been said by Sir George Grey. He said, it is to allow me to have a voice in the matter, so that we may be able to unloose oar hands from off one another's heads. I agree with what Sir George Grey had said- We have this matter of this land in our hands. I agree, because there are now two of vis to talk over Waitara. I have nothing further to say to Sir George Grey! He, has agreed to my request. Do not let the Europeans and natives of Waitara be alarmed. They are perfectly safe in their places. Let them rest safely in their places. Myself and Sir George Grey wil talk the matter over.

Mr Thomson interpreted the speech to the Europeans present. Rewi concluded : That is all I have to say to the Europeans present and the people at large, Addressing the natives he said : I have a law, so has Sir G'oorge Grey. We are going (o work this out together. That law I lay before the whole of you. He z\nd I will carry it out. I am not yoing to return North at present until a complete settlement has taken place. I am going- to remain at "VVaitara. Let the people of knowledge that exist in the Island come to VYaitara. [An invitation

to the native people.] I leave Europeans also to come to Waitara. The appointment of the day for our next meeting rests not with me, bat with the people. After speeches from Ivlete Kingi and other natives, Rewi again said : To-day' we bave unloosed one another's hands from our beads. Toi morrow wo discuss general matters. I cannot auffer Sir George G-rey to go away, b.ecause 1 have yet to explain to him the significance of the word I used to him to-day that I have the law in my hand. If we air.:inge matters clearly thiugs wil\ be settled. ' ■ On Monday, a great banquet, in European fashion, was given by the Europeans to the Natives at Waitara, The occasion, says the special of the ' Herald,' was made a public holiday in New Plymouth. Three trains ran, taking over 1000 people. I The Volunteer Band (in uniform), and a.number of the leading persons of tho place, with their families also went. The scene at Waitara was a most exciting one. The Europeans assembled in the square facing the railway station, and fraternised in a most cordial manner with the natives. The tables had been erected on the square. On them were placed the provisions brought from New Plymouth. (Shortly after 1 o'clock Sir George Grey, the Hon. Mr Sheehan, Ministerial suite came to the place and were accompanied by Rewi' Kali ana, and other chiefs. ' Mr Standish, the Mayor of New Plymouth, then took the chair at the head of the table*; on his right sat Sir George Grey, the Hon. Mr. Sheehan (Native Minister). Rewi, and Tanaha; and on his left- Mr Moorhouse (M.H.R.), and Mr T. Kell (M.H.R,). After the repast had been partaken of, Rewi rose and said he wished to address the Europeans, as he saw them before him that day in such large numbers. He said he was exceedingly gratified that such good feeling .existed, and he felt pleasure in seeing them, because the}' had come to Waitara to give them a feast, at the time when he and Sir George Grey had made themselves one. The Mayor then proposed the health of "The Queen," at which there was great cheering, both ' natives aud Europeans joining in. The health of "The Governor" was next proposed, aud responded to with6heers. The Mayor then rose to propose the health <,f Sir George Grey, the Hon. Mr Sheehan (Native Minister), Rewi, and Tahana. He would first like to say that it afforded him very great pleasure to meet his native friends and the Europeans together. He liked to see in that meeting the better understanding, the more kiudly feeling that prevailed between the two races. They were laying the foundation for a grand structure, which they would raise by and by. He was pleased to see that the native chiefs were going to assist the Government in that great work, for they would be doing not only a great benefit to the European? but to themselves also. By aiding the present Government in their endeavor to open up the country, they would be benefitting themselves and their friends the Em'opean people, He would do his best to support what the Government were doing. They were doing their best to restore confidence between the natives and the people of Taranaki, so that they might live together in peace and'friendship. He then proposed the health of Sir George Grey, the Hon. Mi Sheehan, Rewi Maniapoto, and Tahana. Sir Gsorge Grey, in replying, said he would have to be excused from speakinsr at any length, for he was not well, therefore what he said to them that day would be very little He had for a long series of year, desired to see accomplished what has now been brought about. Tarauaki had been a place totally isolated. The settlers had been shut out from their fellow-colonists by difficulties that could not be overcome. The difficulties were such as few would dream of, but that was now, he heped, all over, and Taranaki would now make real progress, in the same manner as other parts of the colony. He hoped, with the aid of Tawhiao, and Rewi, to carry out the great; work he had commenced, which would confer lasting benefit on the district. He hoped in the work he was now engaged in he would be

supported by the whole of the Europeans, and with the chiefs' assistance they would become one people. The Hon. Mr Sheehau said he was glad to be present on such an occasion, when such good work was being accomplished, and he was gratified in being able to take part in such peaceful settlement of the difficulties. Rewi had come across from the "Waikafco to the place where the trouble first began, and there the difficulties had been settled, and.peace restored between the two races. It was not a question of a party in politics. They were dealing with one which every man in the country would be pleased to know Avas better so amicably settled. He was sure in a very short time Taranaki would be a flourishing district, and that when settled by people, the colonists in the other parts of the island would find themselves also materially benefitted. He hoped all difliculfcies were now at an end, and that sworcb would be turned into pruning hooks, and all heartily eno-age themselves in corn pleting the preat work they had so I (successfully commenced. j Rewi said : My heart is glad be-

cause of this work begun to-day. We are men of two races, bat are ■all .ottv one , and4b.e same soil. Sir George Grey anc( 1 have been made one. at Waitara. We will remain together, and-the'laws of the Queen shall be made one.