SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1879. The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1073, 10 May 1879, Page 2

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1879.

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exaot justioe to all men, Of whatever Btate or persuasion, religious or nolitioal. » Here shall the Press the Pkopib's nght . maintain, Uhawed by influence and xmbribed by gain.

Tawhiao again orowds out the letters of some of our correspondents, and other matter. Oub Special Correspondent,writing from Alexandra, soon after the meeting dispersed for the day, on Wednesday, says : — I went round the camp just now, and found natives engaged in all sorts of games. I observed a party of juveniles playing at cricket, too. 1 think the fondness for athletic sports which characterises the rising generation of Maoris, is a very healthy, sign.; There is a gambling tent not far from Thompson's, where the Maories keep it up at " bluff," almost day and night. I dropped in jUsi now, and found a Wanganui Chief, and others of note, playing this seductive but precarious game. The Wanganui swell had just collared twenty-three pounds. While I was there, he added two more to his little " pile," and he never "played " without winning. H I had hiß luck, I could travel on it. I would have stayed to see a little more of the "Heathen Chinee," if the high flavour of the atmosphere had not warned me that oxygen is necessary to the physical and moral welfare of the "human race." Te Kooti has just finished a most interesting sermon in connection with his evening devotions. It was highly appreciated by a large and attentive audience of pakehas and Maories. Scarcity of provisions is showing itself ; some some of the hapus, 1 find, are very hard up' for food, while others are tolerably supplied. In our encampment, we are fairly .off just not. If the meeting lasts much longer, there will be a scarcity of the noble bird known as. the domsatio turkey. His regular attendance at thetridismal repasts has been the theme of great admiration. We had a reinforcement of other necessaries to-day, and have added to the number in our tent, a gentleman from Waitara, who, in addition to his social characteristic., which are excellent, adds the important qualification of heing the possessor of a supply 0 f articles necessary to all civilised beings. He has only just arrived, and j 8) consequently, very confiding. Excellent man 1 1 hope he will meet his reward ! Cambridge Cavauiy Volunteebs.— -The half-yearly drill of the above troop concluded on Weduesday last. The new Drill Instructor, Sergeant.-Major Carley, seemed to be much liked, but being newly out from Aldershot the drill was considerably changed, and both officers ahd troopers had to learn afresh dan under the new system the various nio vementsjand evolutions were executed more promptly, and simply. During the drill, strict punctuality was enforced and many little matters which might have been formerly looked over, such as talking in the ranks, &c. were rigidly put down and all fines levied. The Drill Instructor expressed himself very well satisfied with the result of the week's drill, and the officers and troopers expressed their appreciation of the courtesy and tact with which the Sergeant-Major had conducted the drill. The troop has received large additions and numbers about 80, including band. The band were also drilled in the hall and received instructions from Band-Sergeant Mackintosh in martial music. The horses now belonging to the troop, are of a first-class description. Scrubbers and heavy draught horses have been elimi- , nated, and the whole troop would bear favorable comparison with any in the colony. Comments on Tawhiao's speech.— The special correspondent of the Herald thus alludes to Tawhiao's speech and its effect on the Natives assembled; — I have no doubt that throughout New Zealand the people are considerably puzzled by the attitude assumed by Tawhiao, and by the words of the speech with which he opened the meeting. He asserted a dominant power over the whole Island in virtue of the Kingship given to Potatau, his father. He attributed all wars and disturbances i to Europeans, and repudiated them and all their laws and customs. never took such a high stand before. A the Hikurangi meeting he defined his district, which was bounded toward Auckland by the Managatawhiri. On this occasion he claims dominion over the Ngapuhi, which was never acknowledged to his father, Potatau. His attitude has baen more hostile since the meeting commenced. At Hikurangi armed men mounted guard over Tawhiao's house, but there was no such military display as that of yesterday. There may be a change before the meeting concludes, and some persons think it probable, but at present Tawhiao's attitude is the reverse of friendly. How this has come about I will not discuss, and, indeed have only conjectures to offer. Tawhiao spoke better than ever I heard , him, and the address was a long one for him. He had evidently prepared and rehearsed it. His purpose was evidently to offend the Ngapuhis and the Europeans, and to attach to himself, and detach from , the Europeans, Rewi and the Ngatimaniapotos. He never directly addressed himself to theyPremier and Native Minister at , all. As to the letter Tawhiao referred to, I never heard of it before, but I presume that it was one sent to him by Governor Hobson when he was negotiating the Treaty of Waitangi, Potatau being at that time head chief of the Waikato. "Vy*ahanui, who followed Tawhiao, is a powerful chief of the Ngatimaniapoto, who haa not hitherto taken any part in these meetings, and who has always been regarded as being likely to be hostile. He simply re-asserted the words of Tawhiao. Te Heuheu, of Taupo, did the same. This man is the son of the famous ohief of the that name, but he has nothing like the influence that his father had. Te Ngakau, who wound up the proceedings, is the Bang's Prime Minister, and a very able man. Last night the camp was a varied scene. The Europeans discussed the situation, in all its varied aspects. Ngapuhi were not pleased at Tawhiao's assertion of power over them, and the friendly chiefs gathered in the tents, talking over the proceedings of the day. The Eongites had their own councils, to which, so far as I can learn, only one European was admitted. It is quite evident that such pretensions as those made by Tawhiao are out of the question. For the sake of peace and of obtaining access to the interior, the colony would have _ consented 'to . have given Tawhiao large powers over the western portion of Waikato but the demand to betake ourselves, out of the country is rather too much. There is one' thing which ought to bo done. H Tawhiao declines to accept the terms offered at Hikurangi the whole of the land on the west side of Waipa and Waikato should be handed over to the Waste Lands Board to be disposed of. The people of Ngajrua.

wahia would be delighted to hear of this, as they have suffered considerably through haviug a large tract of land in their vicinity kopt lying idle, and the natives have been much exeited - about the Waimate affair. There oan be no doubt that Purukutu and others have got together all tho young fellows who form the King's body-guard, and the military display wo had yesterday was meant to shew that the lands would not be given up. The Natine Land Court, at Cambridge, was re-opened on Thursday morning last by Judge Munro, at tho Publio Hall. The Judge informed the natives that he had receiyed a telegram from the Defence Minister, instructing him to further adjourn the Court till the 20th inst. The natives then represented to the Judge that this would put them to serious 'inconvenience, and requested him to telegraph to Mr Sheehan, asking hiih if the Court could be adjourned only for a few days, till the Kopua meeting was -ended, and not for a fortnight.' This the Court; agreed to do. No answer had been received by the Judge last.night. Thb City Cosey has been opened by Miss Haines in Upper Queen. Street, Auckland, where gentlemen may always obtain a first-class Cigar and other little delicacies. We have been requested to state that persons desirous pf insuring their lives in the Government office need not necessarily be examined by any particular medical man, ' but may nominate tneir own. A meeting, of the parishioners of St. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, will^ be neld on Wednesday evening, tooonsider plans for increasing the sitting accommodation of the congregation. The City Buffet has been opened next door to the Nevada Hotel in. Queen Street, Auckland, where a first-class bill of fare is daily provided. The Limelight Entertainment, held on Thursday evening last, at Cambridge, was spoilt by the wet weather. The attendance was small ; a very excellent programme, however, was carried through. The band kindly gave their assistance. Messrs Mackintosh, Johnson, Edward Hammond, H. and S. Kessing and T. Gerrans were the amateurs who sang. The views exhibited wore scenes in Ireland and comic pictures. The gas was not quite, so good as it might have been, and the pictures were not quite as clear as expected, but the whole passed off very well. The school children, who were admitted free, sang a chorus during the entertainment. Mb Hammond delivered his lecture, at Cambridge, on " The . Maori," to an appreciative if not large audience ; about seventy were present. A few songs were sung at intervals. The lecturer described manner and customs of the natives, some of their traditions and legends. It was highly amusing and interesting, well written, and effectively delivered. It deserved a larger audience. Thb Enoubh Opera Company perform again to-night at Cambridge, when the Grand Duchess, will be produced. On Monday night La Somnambula will be placed upon the stage inLe Quesne's Hall, Hamilton,' and as Mr and Mrs Florence have returned to the Company they may look for a full house. The great attraction of the Company is Mrs Florence's ricn contralto voice. She is oast for Liza, Miss Wanganheim playing Amina and Mr Florence sustaining, the part of Elvino. In this Opera there are some beautiful airs notably thatof "Still so Gently" whichfalls to the Prima Donna, and which should bring out her upper and lower notes to perfection. The scena " All is Lost" is we believe one of Mr Florence's master pieces. If the orchestra would realise the position and remembering that the Hall is but a small one, somewhat moderate the tone of the instruments the effect would be better. As good wine needs no bush, so good voices require no overshadowing by the sound of the accompaniment and the general opinion has oecn that the instruments were somewhat overpowering to the detriment of the singing instead of being simply ancillary to it. Ai ter the Opera a miscellaneous concert will be given. The Pakaranga Hounds will muster at Gwynne's Hotel at 12 this day, and will throw off at Mr J. Brown's Farm, on the road to Ohaupo. We hope to see a good field, and |as hares are plentiful in the district, we anticipate a good afternoon's sport. The Cavalry will help to swell the number of the field, and some little rivalry will be doubtless shown in the taking of fences. .• ' The Hamilton Annual Spobts.— -We are requested by Mr R. Gwynne to state that the annual spores at Hamilton will take place on the 24th instant. Mr "Gwynne has decided to give a Silver Cup as first prize iii the mile foot race and in the mile trotting matcb. The events will embrace : Running, jumping, vaulting, and all the other usual sports. Fireworks, if procurable, at 8 o'clock. Subscription lists will be at the usual places in town.