THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1071, 6 May 1879, Page 2

THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.

Saturday,

On Friday and Saturday morning early, messages kept arriving from Kopua, respecting all of which a great variety of opinions were expressed. Some would have it that the purport of them was to prevent Ministers from going to the meeting at all, others were equally sanguine that it was to urge Sir G. Grey and party to use greater despatch in arriving at the scene of operations. The truth of the matter as far as I can ascertain is nearly as possible as follows : — Considerations and influences which are at present positively definable had created a great deal of discord amongst many of the leading chiefs. Rewi and a large section of NgatimaniapotoS were clearly iu favor of meeting Ministers, aud were hacked by the Lower Waikatos, Paul Tuhaere and Ngapuhi. Te Ngakau seems to have taken aline by himself, and whilst Rewi and others were sending messages urging the immediate advance of the Ministerialist party, sent a letter to Alexandra stating that they did not care j to see them. He used Tawhiao's name, and this action was subsequently, I feel certain, disavowed hy the King. It is certain that the great majority of despatches sent were in favour of the Ministers going on at once. Tawhiao himself sent no direct invitation. This is explained by the fact that the Monarch thought that the meeting was for him and Grey, and that no special invitation was necessary, but that the latter would come of his own accord. One thing lam sure of — viz., that had Ministers thought ib prudent to go up in the beginning of the week a good deal of trouble would have been saved. lam of opinion, however, that a good deal of this trouble has disappeared since their arrival. Such was as nearly as possible the position of matters when at about 9 o'clock on Saturday morning the word was given to prepare for a move in the direction of Kopua. At 10 o'clook all hands arrived at tho

I nding place, about a mile from the j township at * lexaudra, whore the canoes I were ready for the embarkation of tho party. Of these theie were two which were barely sufficiont to accommodate the whole of those who wero auxious to avail themselves of this easy method of transit. The greatest courtesy was shown to strangers and the Pre3s, who were taken on board without question. The party consisted of Sir George Grey, the Hon. Johu Sheehan, Messrs Moss, »eymour George, Hobbs, McMinn, and Awiti, M.H.R.'s, Messrs Von feturmer, R.M., Bush, R.M., Mitchell, Tjewis, Grace, Greenway, Armstrong, Ross, and some others. In the canoe in which 1 was esconced were about seventy natives and a few of the gentlemen above named. The sun was very hot, ver? little wind finding its way to the face of the water, sheltered as ib is by the high banks. I accordingly landed at an early opportunity, and walked the remainder of the distance. Just before the arrival of the canoes the RECEPTION PART/ Marched down to the river, taking up their station about 200 yards from its bank. It consisted of sections of the Ngatihaua, Ngatitamainu, Ngatihaua, Ngatitipa and Tainui triber, iu number about 120. They marched two deep, and where led by Major Te Whero, Te Raihi, Wiseman, Patene, Hakaniohi and other influential chiefs. Riwi Kukutai attended, in the splendour of a field-officer's uniform, and marshalled the column. All earned guns in their , hands, loaded with blank cartridge, and a number of them were stripped to the waist. At 1.40, the sound of the chanting of the paddlers proclaimed the immediate advent of the canoes, and all became bustle and preparation. Ngatipoua and many other natives, including Hori Ngatai and Enoka Chiefs of N'gaiterangi, in number about 100 men, were at the ianding place, though not in any formation. At the summit of the terrace rising from the river, Te Hauheu advanced, carrying a taiha, to meet the party and shook hands with Sir George, welcoming him to the settlement. As the Premier passed on, after the greeting, he recognised a well known gentleman watching the proceeding, and turning to him, and half stopping, said, " Is Saul also among the prophets ?" Which, sir, is Saul, and which the prophets? interogated the individual addressed. There are tho "prophets" replied the Premier pointing to those that followed. Then; Sir, if I am Saul I am a " head and shoulders" above any of them, was the rejoinder. A few yards further on the advance reception party fired a salute and then headed by the natives who had paddled up the canoes marched towards the encampment followed by the Ministerial party. They where sooa met by Rewi with a personal body guard of twelve nearly naked marching two and two abreast. In the front file was a magnificent specimen of humanity, fully : 6 feet two sinewy and muscular, as straight as a dart and as agile as a panther, the embodinent cf physical perfection. A little further on about 200 Taupo natives joined in the procession and fired a salute, certainly not with great effect. Our ear caught the sound of a snapping cap on the first piece attempted to be discharged and give it a jar which no amount of irregular blazing subsequently could relieve. And here I may say that from what I subsequently saw of the arms in the hands of the kingites any amount of "snapping" would not surprise me. The pieces are almost entirely old fashioned double barrelled fowling pieces, some of them are hound round the barrel with string &c, to keep them from falling to pieces. I am certain that it would take a dozen of them, well managed at that to equal one good modern breechloader. The Taupo warriors having expended the requisite quantity of powder, turned and marched at the head of the column and were speedily joined by a party of Ngatimaniapotos which completed the succession. Dancing and shouting varied by an occasional discharge of guns was the order of the day until the MEETING PLACE was reached. This was situated near the I position of Ngatihaua and Ngaiterangi's who in some force remained in their camps waving haraemis to the visitors. On the arrival of the party at the spot a hollow square was formed, Sir George Grey the Hon. Mr Sheehan and party being on the west side, Tawhiao' s particular people wero rbsent as was the sable Monarch himself and his advisers. Ngatimaniapotos were thinly represented ancl I did not see Rewi although informed that he was there. Ngatihaua, Ngatiwhatua, Ngatitipo, Ngaiterangi and the Taupos were present, as also of course the Ngcipuhis who sat behind the Ministerial company. There was a long pause of about 35 minutes, when Honi to Koran of Ngapuhi got up and invited the peeple to speak. Several speakers then came forward. Hanuora, son of Tauranga, being the first, Hone Naihie,a Ngapuhi,said that they had been asked to come, and had(Ngapuhi) come, aud were waiting to hear what it was all about. Hauhuru gave the welcome, stating that the great event of the day was to have seeu the visitors. He sang a song of welcome to Ngapuhi, Ngatiuhatua and Sir George Grey and party, and concluded by saying that, like Aaron's rod, a tree had been planted, and it must grow. Paraone (Ngatiwhatua) then spoke, and two or throe others, nothing, of course, being said but the usual words of welcome, when Rewi's body-guard again appeared on the scene, and escorted Sir George Grey and his friends to their lodgings, which were iu the HOUSE OF MR RICHARD THOMPSON, which I was agreeably surprised to find was of a very superior class, inside and out, and thoroughly European in all its equipments aud arrangements. I had the pleasure of receiving an invitation to mess there, while at Kopua, and never was more comfortable in my life. The house is pleasantly situated, and the paddocks round it well fenced, and giving evidence, by the strength of the grass, that the soil is of first-rate quality. The proprietor claims 1200 acres, and if he should succeed in ultimately obtaming a Crown Grant, he will rejoice in the possession of one of tha finest properties for its extent in New Zealaud THE NGAPUHIS AND NGATTWHATUAS were then conducted by Rewi iu person to their camping ground, just below Mr Campbell's house, where they raptdly run up their tents and made themselves comfortable. The weather, which, up to this time, hah been magnificent, now showed signs of breaking up, and at 5.30 o'clock the rain fell in torrents, continuing without cessation until Sunday morning. TE RANCU Manuhiri's daughter, came in the evening | to pay Sh* George Grey and Mr Sheehan | a visit, as did also Te Tuhi and his wife, Tina, Tawhiao's sister. Twelve Ngapuhis kept guard all night over the house in which the Ministerial party had their quarters, the guard being changed three times during the night. Mr Thompson and his friends were kept pretty hard at it, for each relay of men went in for a good feed. SUNDAY. The morning broke threatening, aud various were the conjectures as to whether any korero would take place during the day. I visited many of tbo oaiups, aud

from various sources of information I considered that it was likely a talk would come ofE iu the afternoon. Wahanui, tho groat Ns? atimauiapoto chief, was especially anxious to commence business, and declared that if an hour's fine weather was obtainable he would call a meeting. However, the rain continued to pour down, aud no chance was afforded either natives or Europeans of pouriug out their eloquence, which mado eveyone " pouri." At 11 o'clock, about 2000 Maoris taken from nearly all the tribes and hapus arrived in a dense column. The advance guard consisted of about 450 stalwart men, who made a most effective show as they brandished the food they wore carrying -to their visitors, Ngapuhi and Ngatiwhatua, over their heads, aud shouted the usual vocal accompaniment. It was reported that Winiata was amongst them, but I am uot. personally acquainted with tho scoundrel, and tha reports are so contradictory that I cimnct vouch for its truth. I shall send you by wire tomorrow the exact truth of this matter as I consider it of some importance that in future shows of the kind, if any come off, a repetition of such bad taste should be prevented. The surest method of doing this in my opinion would be that the Government should demand that this cold blooded murderer should be given up to justice and not be permitted to vaunt his freedom from just punishment by offering food to loyal and honest triles. Of this, more anon. Tu Tawhiao, the son of the Maori Potentate came down this afternoon to interview the Ministers, and remained for some hours. He is a fine handsome young man more of the stamp of a Spaniard than a Maori and has lately became more reticent than was his wont, evidently having became impressed by the dignity of his great postion as aPrinceof the Maori blood. It will he intsresting to many of my lady readers to learn that he is a great patron of dancing, ancl I hear intends to hold a satisfactory entertainment tomorrow uight. He is iu the tent which I occupied with three others while I am writing this book, as usual silent. I hear on good authority that Te Kooti sent a strong request to the Ministers to be permitted to se3 them. This was refused, but permission given to him to writo his requests. This seems a favorable omen for the success of the meeting, as it would appear that ho is apprehensive that if an arrangement were to be effected he would bo left out in the cold and is desirous of securing terms for himself. I think no communication has as yet beeu received from him. The Native Minister has been indefatigable all the afternoon in receiving deputations from various tribes in refereuce to matters in dispute, Taupo natives, Ngapuhi, Ngatiraukawa DESCRIPTION OF THS COUNTRY. To say that this is the grandest couutry I have over seen would be to go far beyond the limits of truth. The country between I Patea aud Taranaki parts of the plains of Napier, some of the land uear Tauranga and Gisborne are iu my opinion beyond it in quality whilst the extent of its area is I feel sure belovv what the glowing accounts of the privileged few have given of the terra iucog-uita. That the country is capable of producing large yields of wheat is beyond doubt, and some part of it appears to take grass fairly, but for many other crops I should prefer for instance, the flats of Pukerimu and Cambridge. It is a characteristic of human nature to put an exaggerated value upon anything which has not been reduced to actual possession, and I think, this has largely been called into play in reference to the now notorious , King Country. Of course, nothing could be more desirable thau to see good country in the hands of bona fide im- ! provew.hut lam sure that the expectations formed of it will never be excelled by the i reality. I speak, of course, of the Kopua . flat, which is all I have seen of the ■ territory. Kopua itself is situated about seven miles from Alexandra, ancl forms the arena of a large amphitheatre, formed . by surrounding hills, which rise in every ■ direction. Most of these are of no great height, but, in the direction of Hikurangi, they become bold and broken. Tho view : from the plain is certainly picturesque. The mountain range, of which Pirongia i forms the abrupt limit, shits out tho view : on the western side, while Ktkapul'e towers over the plain to the north, ancl seems to resemble a sentinel planted to ! guard against the approach of civilisation and protect the country of the natives from the attacks of the pakeha. Hikurangi, to the south-west, seems the citadel into which, as a last extremity the i repulsed or defeated holders of the soil can retreat as a last refuse. i The flat itself appears to contain fifty or ! sixty thousand acres, hut lam informed that it extends through the base of the I hills as far as Kuiti in which case this estimate would of course be largely exceeded. On the wholo, Kopua is a i place pleasant to look upon, and if not a land flowing with milk and honey is calculated if once brought uuder the influence of European capital and labor to add materially to the prosperity of this part of the North Island. RESULTS OF MEETING. Of these it is still impossible to speak (definitely, The secret of the proceedings of to-morrow are locked up in the breasts of some two or three. Before this reaches the eyes of the readers of the Times a clue will prcbably be obtained to the real meaning of the leaders of the King party. In my opinion it is possible that some compromise will be effected. Tawhiao and his peoplo are uot at one. TNgatimaniopotos too are divided, ancl out of this class, all who understand anything of Maori matters will see that the one fixed purpose of the European Government may evoke desirable results. The native mind is shaken as the " leaves of the forest by the wind " and although many are doubtless opposed to deny any amicable settlement the actual diversity of opinion itself may urge many to give way to some extent in order to provide a grave for endless disputes. That all we hoped for will 'be achieved I do not for a moment imagine, that hopes have beeu hel' 1 out which cannot now be fulfilled is beyond question, but that some good will come out of the present «tate of matters ultimately, I have very little doubt. I feel nearly certain the railway will not go throusrh at present, and we shall not obtain the cession of large tracts of country, but the native mind will be, to a largo extent prepared for these events, aud their dissensions will teach them that tho idea of a grand nation >1 Maori league is a chimera which can never be realized. Monday, 8 a.m. Tn Tawhiao and other leading chiefs were in our tent last night until a late hour and the " guards' ' were veiy assiduous iu their attentions to our " provisions" that were at very low water. If this should catch the eye of any sympathetic Waikato man about to visit us. — Verbum , Sap. 9 a m. Two invitations were sent this morning by the King to Ngapuhi to visit his encampment, but they returned an answer that they would not come unless Sir George Grey cama also. Finding that nothing was likely to he immediately done, 1 took a turn round the cimp to look up a notability or two. I visited Te Waka a Ngapuhi, who will be remem- ' bered was imprisoned some years ago for the murder of a relative. The crime was ' purely of a Maori political character, had reference to a laud dispute betweeu the tribes* Te "Wake was ■

protected by his people for some timo, "and finally was induced to visit European settlements, when he was pounced upon, tried, and sentenced to penal servitude for life. Ho soon afterwards escaped, and flod to his own country, where he resided until about two years ago, wheu a freo pardon was granted to him. At tho time of his escape, it was attributed to connivance on tho part of the authorities. He is an athletic looking half-caste. I wenfto Te Kooti's tent, bub he had gone bo another part of tho camp. I shall see him in the afternoon. 10.45 a,m. Manga, who had been all tho morning down with Wahanui, the great Mokau Chief, returned bo his bett. Epiba wenb to see him, and was soon af ber closeted with Ministers. 12 o'clock. I have jusb heard thab Epiha's business wibh Ministers, was to tell them that Wahanui had been seized with clysentry, and could not balk to-day. Wahanui had b?en pressed by Tawhiao to commence the talk. Thab Chief book time to consider bhe proposal, replying thab it was nob his meebing, and he did nob see why he should be called on to take such a^ prominent part in the proceedings. Timibi te Huia has jusb handed rae bhe following notice bo arriving Europeans nob bo purchase horses from Maories, " Frieuds, we wish you to publish this in order thab all Europeans in bhe Waikato district may know that the Maories are losing a great number of horses, aud that they should not buy these horses which are stolen. I have losb bwo horses, one bay horse, whibe forhead and whibe on ibs nose, ancl a long tail, a gelding. The other has a small white blaze on its forehead, aud a short tail, a gelding. Na Tamehana, (Thompson)." A large number of Europeans are arriving. Amongst bhem are Mr J. B. Whyte, Mayor of Hamilton, David Hean, Manager Bank of Australasia, Auckand, Mr W. Walters, Mr McGregor Hay, Mr McNiccol, and Mr Mackeohnie. It has been suggested that the Bh.nk Managers now here should be taken into custody by the Ngapuhis, and detained until they gave ample assurance and guarantee thab the monetary mstiufcions will give substantial overdrafts for specified, terms to all bho.se who are here Avorking for bhe good of their adopbed counbry. I think the notion will meet wibh general favor. Monday, 10 a.m. TEH MURDERERS. I am now tolerably certain that Winiaba was amongst those who carried food to the Ngapuhis yesterday. Purukutu was with him. Winiata was ono of the first three and had a revolver slung on his shoulder. THE CAMP ON MONDAY. The encampment is not very lively this morning as the weather is misty and threatening. I have counted as Avell as I am able the number here and pub them at over 5000 men, women and children, probably nearly 6000. The political atmosphere is also particularly cloudy. No arrangements appear to have been made yeb for holding a meeting. Some say dancing and other amusements will fill up the greater parb of bo-day. Rewi desires to balk in the presence of all, and not in private. THE PROGRAMME. Tliero are to be four days, it is said, sc fc apart for discussion ; one for Wahanui, anobhev foi* Ngakau,one for Morehu, aud one for Manuhiri, These days do nob necessarily mean 24. hours (heaven forbid they should). Tliere are a hundred other rumours flying about, results alone can prove or disprove them. I am certain nothing definitely favorable has yet been done. It seem a sort of dead lock, but the game may yet be won by the patience and skill of Ministers. 5 p.m. There has been no opportunity of sending iii to \lexaudra. Nothing has boen done all day. Diplomatic waiting seems the order of day. I interviewed. Rewi just now, he seems very " ponri,'' evidently ab the weighb of responsibility. Ho told me thab bhe meebing would probably be held bo-morrow, bub that it would nob lasb more than one day. The natives predict heavy rains to-morrrow. Crowds of pakehas wero here all the afternoon and there was some talk of horso -racing, but it came ou to rain, thero was uo racing, no meeting, so they inspected some of the lions ancl went away grumbling.