THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1074, 13 May 1879, Page 2

THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER

KOPUA, Sunday morning. I see you have been compelled to omit considerable portions of my last report by reason of pressure on your space, notably the interesting fact, that Mr Hesketh had been sent for by Tawhiao to form a new Ministry, but had declined. However, I will " boil down" any further remarks I have to make, so that I may not inconvenience you more than I can help. On Friday afternoon,, at the meeting, a man overcome by excitement, fell down m a fit just' behind Sir George Grey's chair, at the moment that that gentleman rose to make his closing speech. I have since learnt that his name is Banks, and he resides m the neighbourhood of Kopua. He was carried away and restoratives used, when he gradually recovered, and seems now not much the worse for his sudden illness. In the evening we had a A CONCERT. At which several gentlemen, assisted. The vocalization was by no means of an insignificant order whUst the guitar accompaniment was given m a style which, as those gentlemen say who earn their bread at a penny a line, left nothing to be desired. The gem of the evening, however, was a trio " Home from the Mountains " out of *D Travatore. This was sang by a young Moari Lady and two Pakeha gentlemen. The young lady executed her part most admirably. I. think I never heard more correct singing. It did seem a charge m the state of things from ten years back, to a selection from an opera sang at Kopna by a Maori lady, and sang m a style . that would do credit to any concert m Hamilton or Cambridge. A messenger came, yesterday, to aay that there would be NO MEETING. Many of the natives had gone to Hikurangi, to fetch down further supplies of food, which are stored there. The natives have lately been running very short of potatoes, and, as the korerq seemec). likely to last another four op five days, it was deemed a,dyisable not to meet until supplies had been relinquished. Tawhiao's people were anxious to meet to-day, but the Ministers thought it was not well to meet on Sunday, and so all hands attended a MAORI SERVICE, Which was held by the IJevs. Heta. Terawhiti and flohua, at the tent of Paora Tuhaere, the Ngatiwhatua Chief. Heta preached, and Hohua read the prayers. The subject of the discourse was " Repentence," and was very ably handled by the preacher, who was listened to most attentively, by a considerable concourse of natives of the Ngapufyi, Ngatiwhatua, Ngatipoua and Wanganui tribes. A IARGE NUMBER OF EUROPEANS Left camp yesterday, apparently quite tired of the continued and wearying delays and adjournments. TE KOOTI'S HAIR WAS BULLEfI I,ast night, by an. qld, yfqman,, T/he

exact nature of the dispute, I could not learn, but it was m reforerence to the non-payment for some tobacco. The old hag tore the warrior's cap from his head and entwined her fingers m his 'locks m such a fashion which threatened speedily to put him m old Uncle Nod's position, • that of having no wool on the top of his head, 1 m the place where "the wool ought to grow. Jbiowever, she was removed by the bystanders, and Te,K.ooti took it very quietly. I hear he had sent m the. ' WBITTEN APPLICATION FOB A PABDOIJ'. To which. l alluded to m a former letter. I am not aware what the Government intend to do m the matter. 1 presume it will be discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet, on tne retnrn of Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, to Wellington. MB. MOSS, M.H.B. Has been the subject of a cruel joke, which has caused a horse-laugh through•out our little camp. It appears that with that mental acuteness, for which he is so justly celebrated, he had discovered the comfort afforded by a hay mattrass and pillow. He provided both and .sought the arms of morpheus, congratulating himself on his foresight.. But man proposes and some one else disposes. Towards morning he was awakened by a chilling sensation about* his frontispiece, and ,on looking- upward he discovered nothing between himself and the starry firmament. A stray horse : had oommenced his sapper off his pillow and had dragged it Mi H. R. and all under the flap o? the tent out into the cold. Mr Moss intends . to move the House next . Session that a: ! breach, of privelege has been committed and have the animal lip to the Bar, of the house ••'escorted by Mr Swanson's friend th©'« Usher of the Black Rod. He keepffWbig stick as a bed fellow now.

THE SITUATION OP AFFAIRS is still doubtful to some extent but, I am able to speak more certainly by far than . when I last addressed you. Firstly, I consider ftewi as completely converted. There were some doubts at first as to this. Many said that he was only trying to sret the best terms he conld from Ministers with a view of afterwards bolstering up the .King. lam certain, m my own mind, that this is not the case. i All the Kirigite natives I have seen, regard Rewi, now, as occupying a position of separation from the King, and the position the chief himself is taking up, m reference to the various disputes, shows him to be m earnest m trying to settle matters amicably. He does not ' want^to make a fuss, and would rather . lead than alienate the King party, so he talks almost m an affectionate tone to them, but when the question is practically put to him by the force of events (as it will be, I think) which side he will finally take, he will, I am sure, "plump" for tne Europeans, and, I believe, take the greater part of his tribe with him. When I come to write a critique and summary of the whole affair, lahallenter more fully into this.

As to Tawhiao and his party, I am sure they are ready, to return to the Hikurangi terms. They want to talk, and slip gradually into the position. Te Ngakau, however, is, m my # opinion, a great obstruction m the way of a final settlement. He is a really remarkable man, subtle, resolute and unscruplous, a thoroughly good diplomatist. He of course sees the downfall of his power m any arrangement which would tend to weaken the " Mana" of the King and will resist to the utmost. It is certain however that the majority of the followers of the King are sick of the movement and disgusted at its want of success. I think Kingism will break down altogetner before long, but feel positive its absolute decease is not yet. We shall not get the railway this time, nor the land, but a few months will enable us to survey roads m Rowi's part of the country, which will be something gained. The meeting, to-day, will considerably elucidate matters now dark. Monday 7.30 p.m. The morning broke beautifully fine after a bitterly cold night and a talk was announcod as certain to ensure at about 10.45 a.m. a move was made to the meeting place. Kopua 11 o'clock great commotion was caused m camp by the report published m the Evening Star, that 2580 Ngapuhi, Arrawas and Wanganui's were to come to Kopua for the purpose of forcing through the roads m the King country. The special of the Star denies all knowledge of the telegram and is very indignant. He is to be Whakawara tonight by Ngapuhi for an explanation, gf course the whole thing- is a canard, but the effect has been considerable or the native mind Ngapuhi being already considered to bounceable by the Waikatos. Tawhiao was present for the first time since the opening of the meeting. Whahini said, speak to Hauhau, and all the parts of the talk are standing up. There are no other subjects. It will be the same as the other day. There are three subjects, and all that is said, must be one, and each must talk as he feels. We tvill now disouss the other subjects. Dont b 3 m a hurry, but speak clearly, so that all may be satisfactorily settled, and peaceful relations.

Paora' Tuhere: Wanganui said, the other day, that was the end of Ngatiwhatiatalk. ;Te Ngakau said, the talk was dogs food. We have nothing more to say on the su'bjeot, Ngakau: Ido not oaro ahout Grey. I donfc oaro about Tawhiao, I -want to know -what is my fault. I ask this, because I have been accused of doing wrong about Grey and Tawhiao. They are both for good, but I want you, as a clever man, to let me know where I am wrong, so that, if I come over to you, you have all good on your side. If we settle this question, then we can discusss the settlement of peace question. We people are disunited, but Qrey an.d Tawhiao are settled. Tquar^ the head of those opposite, now, te}l me \?here I am wrong.

Paora Prohare : Why4o you not toflk about -\vliat we came to discuss, 1 oame here to hear what yq tt l^ad. to say and not to answer quegtiena and discuss. Ngafem 2 This is what I awlwayg been wanting you to do. But now you toll me I am wrong. I wanted to talk but yon said I was a bad fellow. I kant "'the course open but you told me. go.. The whole Island says, $ ayus wiong," an,d } wanted it Haw'can webecoine qi^e if I am so b>d ?" I do. nots'want tq Q@.me'as a dog hut. as aman. Don't take up, such. a. high position. Discuss the matter.

Petera : Your first wrong was that all the peoplein the country did not consent to you After Potatau died the wh\d com,in,encad ' Then TawMaq's, xstfgn wxnunencad and you said all the tribes aught to, go into the King, movement. Only one/ a* two tribes adhered to Tawhiaq. This is where you were wrong yo,u have noc the whole people. You have never had a majority, That js why y QU have done wrong, and now Tawhiao. has gqne m for peaceful relations, without consulting anybody. Now yqu are \a the, right path, but your former wrongs, m the two ways, I have already shown, I said, at Kuitu, do not lay aside Sir George Grey he is our a/eestor. There can be no better c W rae followed than what he recommended. I am now urging .Wah^ul-nut to, hurry on th/talfe I thinlc the people from the North OaS and l^gapuhi were m, too TOUO h of a hurry. your opportunity now if you da not, you will lose all All T say j? k H Qrey a,ct aaT^wh^Q'aadv^^

Ngakau :' I want you to point the road by which I may come to Grey. Wahanui has said, Grey is his father, and the Queen is his mother. How were they separated. Show me the road, that I may go on to other hills, that we may make an arrangement by which the matter can be settled. Dont be angry. Dont be cross. You have given me, now, cause to be angry. All I want is, to be told the road. Wahanui: I spoke openly, I put oHfc my hand to become one with Grey, did I not say sheath the sword, that was the day Now Igo back to what you said that I was wrong from the first . Word was sent to all round to ail the tribes. I held aloof from the hands of Potatau, and the Queen we agreed and loved one another. I asked who divided us ? You all took part m meeting the King, and if Sir George Grey was not present, arid you were not afraid of your salaries you wauld admit it. I say the questison now asked is, how are we to get to your aide ? [Several chiefs spoke and an adjournadjurnment took place at 4 o'clock, but as the telegrams relating to this dicussion are only coming through at the present moment, 4.10 a.m., we are unable to publish them.]