NATIVE MEETING NEAR ALEXANDRA. [FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1540, 18 May 1882, Page 2

NATIVE MEETING NEAR ALEXANDRA. [FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.]

Alexandra, Tuesday. The natives reassembled in front of the runanga house about ten o'clock this morning, though their number was not so large as at previous assemblies, a considerable number having already taken their departure for their respective homes. Ihe natives were caLed together this morning by the chiei Karanama, who appeared first on the ground dressed in a sort of semi-highland costume and very peculiar headgear resembling a tea cosey. He entertained the meeting for some time reading numerous petitions and proclamations, copies of originals I which have been drawn up by almost the eutire Maori race since the advent of the first Governor. Te Raihi was the first speaker. He asked all to speak openly, and to have friendly discussion and not talk about subjects which did not in any way concern them. Aihepene Kaihau asked what was best to do so that they could carry out the ideas given expression to the day previous. Perhaps the Ngatiraukawa would suggest some way. If any body objects to what Tawhiao, said they could set to work and lease and sell. Those who bought land within Tawhiao's boundary. Tawhiao would respect them and look after their i ights. Te Manaku intended sending a petition, re his lands confiscated at Rangiaohia, to the Government. Let each tribe send representatives to assist Te Wheoro at Wellington, that he might be assisted in his work there, and know the particular grievances of those whom he represented. Te Ngakau, advancing to Te Manaku, took the petition which the latter held in his hand and said : It was all very well to bring forth this petition years ago when I proposed that lands confiscated should be given back to us. It is too late now, and I'll tear your petition up. I have got nothing more to say, more than I said to Wahanui yesterday. Paul, of Orakei, said : Do not get angry at what has been said. Let each man say what he pleases. Look at me who has suffered. I shall speak of land inside confiscation boundary, i.e., that claimed by Tawhiao. The land outside that boundary is all mortgaged. It is a very small piece which you, Tawhiao, claim. The dogs all round (meaning the pakehas) are hungering for what is left, and some of you who have spoken here have already received, and are receiving hundreds of pounds on your interests. It is no use in you (Tawhiao) claiming mana outside the boundary I have named. Your mam as king goes' over the whole land, but your power is confined within certain boundaries. You (Tawhiao) have got no land. You are a king in name only. Bryce has already told you if the nose of a canoe runs on to a stump the canoe is sure to upset. Steer the canoe that it will not upset. Rewi here interposed, and told Paul to hurry up with what he had got to say. Whiti Patatau said, relative to Tawhiao and his sayings, that surveys were still going on all over the laud, notwithstanding their resolutions of yesterday. He grieved for Waikato (meaning the people). While we were talking of surveys yesterday, one principal man among us (Rewi) said he was goms to get a surveyor and survey the I atau Block. Rewi in reply said : Yes, these wore my words ! and, drawing a circle on the ground with a stick he said : The reserve lie wished to have alienated to the natives was Avithiu a line drawn round by Maungatautiri, thence to Taupo, thence to Rangitoto, thence to the West Coast, thence along the coast to Mokau, thence to Kawhia," Aotea, and Pirongia. He then said these were the boundaries within which the laud was to be retained, but outside the land could be dealt with. It was not for these petty disputes he set up the King. It was for the salvation of the whole island. Whili Patatau proceeded : I have nothing to say against surveys. Let surveys go on, and then the king movement will be a mere myth, and the king exist in name only. Terahuia spoke in defence of the king's policy. Whiti asked where was the piece of ground mentioned by Rewi, which he wished settled on the natives ? Why surveyors were everywhere on the laud. Rewi said he had spoken of this block (that before mentioned) long ago, which he intended to retain for the king's maim. A Ngatihaua chief said : Two things sold the land — war and peace. It was not men who sold the land, but bad management generally. Whiti Patatau (alluding to the war), said it was the Waikatos only who destroyed the land. Land and people both went. Major Te Wheoro remarked that there was such a diversity of opinion on matters it was almost impossible for him to know what to do. Paul, of Orakei, and Rewi had a discussion re that of which Te Wheoro had just complained. Paul referred at length to the unsettled state of the Waikato people and their landless state. Kaihau said Tawhiao called all together to assist him in his difficulty. He' would not consent, that Tawhiao should be placed in difficulties. Te Ngakan and Rewi had a warm discussion, the former disputing the latterY assumed position as dictator to the" people.

; [by telegraph.— own reporter:] Alexandra, Last Night. The following is the continuation of yesterday's report :> ( Whitiora would not. listen to,. either, party. 1 He was a landless maiij himself, ,and they also' who have "no' land were ! quarrelling and disputing about nothing/ - ' Aihapari Kaihau said-: not stick | to Tawluao's word»- of yesterday,,, to, [^hich is>;all( yery jwejll', £f of npspple who^haye^ go^both^lan^. an,,d \ [food tb'.JalK', Jjut^wliajb jafe Uojdvw^^^n^ther^ha^ng^nly^he' [air'tqUveoni' ~V" /'"V«.jV^^o.VT Faul Tgki advocated that tta WkaW

ft. < should get a block marked out by Rewi .on the Ngatiinaniapoto land. Tawhiao rose and said : This is the day for discussing matters, but with me rests the fulfilment of them. Rice consented to the boundaries of the piece of land laid down by Rewi for all to occupy. The Southern natives then suggested that the Waikatos should not keep Tawhiao entirely, to themselves,, but that he should move about among them, as up to the present they had not only altogether kept the king, but kept all the ment to themselves, not pcrmitting,them to have a say, in the management of affairs. Rewi said he was- not going to* forego his Court at Mokau, that being part of his views. The Rev. Samuel Williams, of Napier, said that hWving heard the road to Waikato was open, and being anxious to see those natives to ' many of whom his father had been known ,in the time of Matakitaki, he had came.' The Ngapuhi were a quarrelsome people, but at his father's death they buried all their differences when they came to cry over him. His father told him to tread in his footsteps, and to ' look after the Maori people. He ' had done so, and had grown old at *his work. Before bidding them good-bye he would like to say that he had heard a great deal said about the bad qualities of his race, and he was not going to say they had no such bad qualities, but he would ask them to consider whether the Pakehas had not some good qualities, and to give them credit for them, and further he would ask them to consider what their position would have been if' they had had some other nation in power in this country. Possibly they would not have shown the natives the same for* bearance and consideration the Englism^. Probably they would have made them „ their slaves. The rev. gentleman continued : — Before I conclude I would like' to say that we have many kinds of food, some of which are bad while others are good. Let me urge of you not to partake of the bad kinds, but of the good, because since I have been in Alexandra I have noticed that you people are addicted to drinking spirits, I say give it up before it is too late, otherwise it will be your ruin. In conclusion I would say you have made peace with the son, make peace with the father. [As we were going to press we received a long telegraphic account of yesterday's proceedings, but the only matter of interest in it is that the great May meeting has concluded.]