CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1080, 27 May 1879, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE.

(From our Special Correspondent.) Monday. The proceedings of the Native Minister, Rewi, the Court, and the Ngatiraukawa have not been very interesting, or calculated to bring matters to a conclusion. In the case of the Minister, he has been prevented from acting with his wonted energy by a severe attack of throat disease. The Court has been waiting tho settlement of Ngatiraukawa' s and other disputes. Rewi has not succeeded in establishing his new line as I predicted and the Ngatiraukawas have held several meetings which have eventuated in leaving matters pretty much as they were. On Saturday, Ngatiraukawa held a meeting at Walker's Hotel. Rewi was present, and opened it with a song of Avelcome. He then went into old' arrangements between himself and William Thompson, referring to a boundary to be drawn between them very much like he now claims. He was asked if Ngateranga where then present, when this was done, but he said no, they were all away. Rewi was then asked if he was a party to the leasing and selliiagof the lands on Thompson's side of the line. He replied I was : I wanted to buy powder. Rewi v was then asked, what will you do with your side of the line ? He said, I stand here a. Tawhiao, and my speech is Tawhiao's speech. On my side, roads, leases, railways, telegraphs and' surveys and all pakeha work. The meeting soon closed. The meaning of this speech is not at all clear. It con hardly be that the words are to be literally accepted as the great fighting chief appears thoroughly in accord with tha Native Miuister. In fact, I am sure that so far he is. It was probably some diplomatic Maori laconicism, which few can properly interpret. After dinner, another meeting was held, when Ngatirakawa, through Akapita, said, that all on their side of Rewi's line, were Government peop le, and asked Rewi what his people were going to be on his side. If he (Rewi) was the same ? • Rewi replied, "Ae," "Yes." Directly contradicting what he had said in the morning, as to Tawhiao. The whole thing is utterly irreconcileable, and may , seem almost absurd to your outside pakeha reader, but these are strictly facts. On Sunday, at a meeting of Taupo natives, with Mr Sheehan and Rewi, the natives asked Rewi to allow their lands to come into Court, and put in his claim. They expressed a desire .to survey their lands forthwith. Rewi is said to have given a tacit consent. To-day (Monday) . Mr Sheehan being better, ten Ngatiraukawas met him, and, after some talk, the Minister adjourned all the claims and matters under consideration until after the next Session of Parliament, Avhen he would appoint a Commission to go into the affair, and report. Things are thus, as I premised at the commencement, pretty much as they were. In view of the contradictory statements of Rewi, it is very hard to tell what he meaus, but this I am sure of, that the old gentleman is acting according to his lights, to secure a compromise with the Europeans. Whether he is going the proper way to work, remains to be seen. A Thames contingent arrived here unexpectedly, consisting of Col. Fraser, Messrs Brodie, Aitken and Mcllhone. They were on public business connected with the Thames. Bye the bye I hear the Thames Volunteers are to be invited to take part iu the reception of the Governor. I sincerely hope it is true, as I am sure the Waikato Troopers would like nothing ! better than to meet them again and renew I the acquaintance begun in Waikato.