NEW ZEALAND LAND AND SETTLEMENT COMPANY. Native Meeting at Cambridge.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1658, 20 February 1883, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND LAND AND SETTLEMENT COMPANY. Native Meeting at Cambridge.

Ax influential native named Wi Pere, of Gisborne, one ot the leading agents on the native side of the New Zealand Land and Settlement Company, arrived in Cambridge a few days ago for the purpose of canvassing thu natives of this district to entrust their lands to the company. During his stay at Cambridge he held two meetings, one on Thursday afternoon and one on Friday afternoon. Both meetings were largely attended and consideiable discussion took place. A number of questions being put by the natives and answered by the agent, the general feeling of both meetings was that more information was required ; and it is uot likeiythat any material hold will be obtained over the natives of this district, unless propositions of a moie businesslike character are put before them. A number, of important chiefs took part in the discussion, and the speaker (Wi Pere) was accorded on both occasions a long and patient hearing. The wind up of the discussion was practically a suggestion by Mr Sheehan that Wi Pere should submit his proposals in writing for examination by a committee of the chiefs present. Wi Pere in company with ,Mr R. A. Sherrin proceeded to Alexandra on* Saturday morning, -where lie cxpeots to interview some of the leading men of the King party. His stay there will be a somewhat lengthy one, as some time will be taken up in biinging together the leading men to review his-proposals.