HAUWAI AND KOPUA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1095, 1 July 1879, Page 3

HAUWAI AND KOPUA.

THE NATIVE MEETING.

June 29, 1879. The meeiing called here for yesterday by Houaua Moioha and Te Tuhi was, m conseqnence of the inclemency of the weather, postponed till to-day. I arrived here at 10 a.m. this marning, the roads being m a most frightful state of mud and slush. Picking up Houaua and Tuhi at Manuhiri'B place, we came on here together, and finding Tiikorehu and Tupotaki (relatives of Rewi) had not arrived, a messenger was dispatched for them. Tupotahi arrived obout 1 o'clock, Tukerehu being absent from his settlement. At this time all the Kopua residents here had assembled. Houaua commenced the business of what they designated the " Kopua Parliament," which was not very interesting to the public generally, being m reference to a telegram of the ' Star's' special reporter here at the late meeting, where he stated that " Alexander Thompson was the owner of 1200 acres of magnificent land here, which when he obtained the Crown g^rant, would make a rich man of him." This paragraph caused some excitement amongst the Kingites at the tims, as many looked upon it m the light of an attempt on Thompson's part to get the land through the Court, on his own account, which he only holds m jjommon with the other natives. In consequence, some of the ultra Kingites have threatened to burn down Thompson's house. Thompson having denied having ever made any statement that he was the sole owner or had any special interest m the land, and after some discussion m which Tv Potahi, Tuhi and others took part, it was decided that the statement was an invention or misunderstanding of the reporters, and the subject dropped. Te Tuhi then said they were all aware that it was against the wish of Tawhiao that any Europeans should be allowed to visit Kopua or any part of his territory m this direction, on any pretence whatever. Yet, notwithstanding this, pakehas had been allowed, and brought up by some of the people for pheasant shooting, or for purchasing their cattle. This must, for the future, be put' a stop to. This gave rise to considerable discussion. Taurihaua was of opinion that there was no great harm m bringing up his pakeha, as he did lately. He supposed Tuhi was alluding to him. He only took him over his own piece of land. He liked to eat a pheasant now and then, and could not shoot them himself. If the law was to be made, let there be no exceptions." Houaua: There will be no exceptions. What we agree to do here to-day, all the other settlements under Tawhiao' s jurisdiction will do likewise. If any pakehas come here to shoot pheasants, they must have their guns taken away from them. W. Hughes (half -case) was not concerned about the shooting, but he thought that pakehas who came with, money m their hands to buy their, cattle, pigs, or produce should be allowed to do 'so, they could do no harm. Te Tuhi : If that were allowed, it would ' give an excuse to so many, that it would undermine Tawhiao's influence. Hemi : But lam an old man, and have sometimes cattle to sell, and cannot drive them myself to Alexandra or Ohaupo to the pakehas for sale. I think they should be allowed to come on that business. Mohi : Several have come to me but I have always sent thorn back. Honana to Hemi : If you are too old to drive your cattle for sale yourself, their are always opportunities of sending them by some of the young men when they go to sell theirs. , Hemi: Yes! but what would be my share if they had the selling and handling of my money? (Great laughter). Houaua: Go with them yourself, the same as you do do with your wheat. Te Tuhi : Pakehas must not be allowed here. It is Tawhiao's land. I spoke to Grey, after the Hikurangi meeting, about pakehas coming here pheasant shooting. He said to turn them back. If they persisted, to take their guns away. Mohonui : Let the law be made for this place, and from Tawhiao's boundary near Alexandra. Hojaaua : It must not be left to one or two/- Att^)f you will have to act to carry out the*{aw, to prevent pakehas coming amongst us. Tautahi (Richard Turner) : If lam to be made a policeman, who is going to support me if I get into trouble ? Suppose I see two pakehas shooting, if I go to seize one, and they refuse to deliver their guns, I should stand a good chance of being shot by the other. This is not a new law, it was made five years ago, and has been repeatedly broken by one and another. We cannot make a law here that will be kept at all Tawhiao's other settlements. Tuhi : It will now, when wo have settled it here to-day. No Europoan must come hore, unless he has particular business. No Government officer, unless on duty with a letter, or busineaa with Tawbiao.,

A. Thompson thought tho law might be made use of by some man to get a gun from the pakehas. One man might ask soms pakehaa up to shoot, and then m collusion with some of his friends, get their gnns taken from them, and share m the spoil. Tuhi : There will bo no danger of that. When the pakehas kuow they are not allowed here, they will not come. We have a reporter here, who will put it m the newspapers. After several others had spoken, it was decided that no Europeans should be allowed to visit the Kong country, those on bona fide business only excepted ; and m case of the services of a mechanic being required at the threshing season, to repair agricultural implements or machinery. Te Tuhi, Houaua Maioha, and Tv Potahi were appointed as a committee to see the law carried out, with power to call on all for assistance if required. j Houaua hoped they would all assist, and not leave one to get any blame the pakehas might put upon their action. He had been oafied a"hoa riri"of the Governments, because Mr Grace was turned back from here last summer, and abused m the newspapers for it, when, m fact, he had little or nothing to do with the matter.

Tv Potairi said they all new that, and so did the Government. He, himself, informed Mr Gaace when he met him, that the letter sent to him to return was not from Houaua, but from Tukoreua Manuhiri and all the Kopua. Other subjects were brought forward, concerning their own local affairs, and of no interest to your readers. Evening coming on, the meeting broke up.