NOTES ON THE NATIVE ' MEETING. By a Visitor.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1543, 25 May 1882, Page 2

NOTES ON THE NATIVE ' MEETING. By a Visitor.

Thkrk was very little to be seen at the native meeting at Whatiwhatihoe which indicated that the Maoris were abandoning their uncivilized condition for the more' advanced tastes of the European, and indeed the only movement apparent in their condition was purely of a retrogressive nature. Of course I do not include the drink question, for in this the natives seem to have completely outgrown any standard of proficiency ever attained by any civilized nation. Certainly in the matter of external appearance they have partially adopted the clothing of the European, but not to any great extent. A Mauawatu chief named Karanama who attended the meeting, appeared to be the only native on the ground who manifested anything like taste m the matter ot dress, and his eccentricity in this, as well as in several other matters, was the theme of much comment both among his own people and the Europeans. Every morning while the meeting lasted, Karanama issued forth from Ins whare on the flat dressed in a semi-Highland, semi-Maori, and semi-idiotic costume. A laige tea-coaey, decorated with feathers and brass li/aids, constituted his head-gear. He w ore a woman's velveteen jacket, and his limbs were sheltered from the weather by a Highland plaid kilt. He also woie green goggles. Two large cotton sashes encircled his body, and his legs were encased in long led stockings, his large feet being cramped up in a pair of very small shoes with gaiters. A native mat hung warrior-like on his shoulders. He always, appealed fust on the ground in the moming with a large bundle of documents, bibles, and prayer books, extracts trom which lie plentifully poured forth, always seeming to be greatly discomfited when any person dared to laugh. When asked to allow himself to be photographed he felt seriously insulted, and wanted to know why he should become an object of special attraction for European criticism. The fact that Tawhiao appeared on the ground drunk on the last morning of the meeting, I believe, must have affected the minds of the visiting tiibesas regaids their respect for the kingite institution, and no doubt the consequences of such inconsiderate and un kingly conduct will become manifest at no very distant date. The example set by Tawhiao to his people was not allowed to pa% unnoticed even by his own immediate followers and supporters, who deplored in no measuied terms the scone winch they had that day witnessed. The remarks ot Major Te Wheoio in leply to Paul Tuhaerc who was the hrst to draw attention to Tawhiao 's condition, seemed to have great effect on the assembled natives. He said he fully admitted the fact that the state of things* was veiy unseemly, andcallednponallthe chiefsto suppress the use of liquor among their people as far as lay in their power. He was awaie of the effects of the drinking evil on their past condition, and could sec what would be tlie lesult in the futuie if .something decisive woie not done. A number ot other speakeis followed and aninuuh eitcd seveiely on what they had seen, and some were unsparing m their ridicule of kings in general, and their ow n in particular. Any pei son who has M&ited a native settlement, and lias seen for himself what the domestic habits of the Maous really are, will not wonder why the native lace is diminishing .so rapidly. Their habits arc suicidal, and I have no doubt that one half of the natives who go to a pvonutme grave die by their own cai elessness. Thuty people, including men, women aud childi en, generally huddle together in a small, low-ioofed whaie, without eithei ventilation or light, and in which aEuiopeau would not think it safe to stow away his cattle. A hole ib dug in the floor, and a hrc put into it, and around this all gather as closely as possible. Considenng that the smoke is not allowed to escape, respiration is very difficult and what one does breathe cannot be otherwise than poisonous. It is near time that something were done towards reconciling these people to a moie civilised state of living, and if their acquiescence cannot be obtained, it should be forced upon them as taxes are forced upon Europeans. The pioposal to include Alexandra within the Native Licensing District of Raglan cannot be looked upon as otherwise than injudicious, considering that the prohibitory law is not to be enforced in the other border townships. We are to understand from this that the evil is only to be transferred from one place to another, and instead of preventing the natives from getting drunk, wo only punish a few hotel-keepers, and enrich others ; nothing more. When natives are refused drink at Alexandra they will think very little of travelling to Te Awamutu or Kihikihi for a supply, and, rest assured, this they will do. I think representations should be made to headquarters on this matter, for if the people are to be rescued from the growing evil of debauchery into which they have so deeply fallen, the law must be otherwise enforced, and carried into effect with a little consideration. If the newspaper which the Maoris contemplate starting at Whatiwhatihoe, and in which they have lately manifested great interest falls into proper hands, and is conducted on a proper basis, great good may be achieved. If however, its principles are to be isolation and retrogression a sad career may be anticipated ; but it is to be hoped that those Europeans who have influence with the kingite chiefs will exert themselves to have the paper put on a proper footing that good advice may be disseminated.

A public meeting of ratepayers in Waipa county will be held on Thursday, Ist June, at noon, for the purpose of choosing a number of gentlemen willing to act as members of a domain board to manage timber reserve, lot 330, Ngaroto. . ■ ' Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. will sell at Ohanpo'on Thursday, June Ist, a large assortment of cattle. A meeting of the Waipa ? Council will be held at Ohaupo on* Tuesday, "June 13th, to consider certain proposals for road stopping. Kifv. j. W. WaujgV for^oyer twenty yeirsal missionary 'injrljadia,' egtimajtea the'succesß^d mission" Sydrk' 1 in Northern India r t6 be 500 per* cent greater than I 1: thatof homeworS, , - '' ' 4 J -"""J