THE POSITION OF TAWHIAO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1790, 27 December 1883, Page 2

THE POSITION OF TA WHIAO.

A coRRKSPONDEvr "X " writes :—: — The position of Tawhiao, the now defunct potentate of Maoritlom, is one decidedly not the most enviable for the presumed head of a people to occupy. A year ago and Tawhiao, by the expression of the siugle word " Yes," could have been transferred from a position with imaginary mann, which he then held, to one of real though subordinate power, elevated to a leading position in European life, held responsible office, and discharged important duties, could have provided for his relations and immediate followers, and had a say in the Government of the country, and thereby the better Government of his own people ; but to-day, through the foolish exercise of a purblind belief, and an undue reliance ou the dictates and advice of his selfish advisers, ignoring what must have been the dictates of his own reason and conscience, he has been brought to the position of a poor dependent subject leading the life of a veritable nomad to whom nobody looks, and for whom (in point of authority), nobody cares. No one who was present at Mr Bryce's meeting with 'Ciwhiao at the opening of the bridge over the Waipa at Whatiwhatihoe, when Tawhiao was offered £300 a year, and the residue of the Government land in Waikato, together with numerous other little pickings, and who there observed how matters transpired, and how conclusions were arrived aETwrH-deKy-that Wahanui was responsible for Tawhiao's refusal of Mr Bryce's offer— will deny that when Tawhiao had made np his mind to accept (for of this Mr Bryce, previous to the meeting, had been apprised) Wahanui was the man who came forward and refused for him. The very people who at that time erected the platform of Tawhiao's visionary numit, and thereon placed the confiding monarch, were the same who a few days ago, in recognition of the foolish and absurd policy which they were pursuing, asked to have their lands surveyed and adjudicated upon, and thus pulled the last plank of the platform from under the feet of him they had in all earnestness placed upon it. Tawhiao's herditarv mum, which, in the shape of isolation, he maintained unquestioned for years, and which was strongly endorsed at the time above referred to ; like a misty cloud, having for a long time obscured his vision, has now vanished into spacs, and the true state of affairs is now revealed to him. He l»as been brought face to face with the consequences of his foolish obstinacy, the friends and advisers upon whom he at one time relied have deserted him, and he now finds himself launched on the cold sea of his own personal re- I sources, Wpre it> nqt now too late in the day to alter his mind, he might profit by his experience, and rely more upon his own judgment than upon that of others ; but all opportunities have now passed, Tawhiao is no longer the Maori King of the past ; he may still lay claim to the title, but it will profit him no more than if it were a stigma ; his unfortunate person is now all that remains qf a once prominent institution in %lw political concerns of this colony. Now that Mr Bryce's object has been rc»H ed, we merely hope he will not, in all mercy, throw Tawhiao aside with ignominy ; but, instead, make some small provision for both bin) and his family through life. Now that lie has come to realise his true position, we have little doubt he will not be above the fatherly care and attention of one who has all along proved himself his friend — the Native Minister.

At Lower Openshaw, near Manchester «. man, })ear}ng that his son, aged 19,' was out drinking, went to fefcpl) himhojne, The son resisted^ and ran at his father as if to kick him. The father struck the lad, who fell heavily on his head. He was picked up dead.; The father was errested. . ■ f ! "' - .< ' rl • of all the wealth in the United States is in tl}P l)(>ncls of oge. fifth of the people. Withiu the city of sNpyrA Yojrk; there arevlOOimen^Hl 10 | }l f ye AtdvAMr ,'Epwer'r jbOMfthaiigej jthe ( oi^ver^piece^fnpt;q^e^i A eyeryjiarti6le inerchaudise, and evejy^ound^ol^Q^ ?- '•' Tbk Janippse nfeari^feeni^&Jupon^^'ae