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tribe, as a people, are addicted to drunkenness, and are great spendthrifts, in consequence of which their landed estate, at one time extensive, is now very limited in area, they having alienated it to supply their extravagant demands. Kingite Meeting. The most important event in the past year's proceedings in this district is the great Kingite meeting held at Kopua in the early part of May last. The occasion was a great one, comprehending as it did people from almost all the tribes in the North Island. There were there representatives from the Aupouri, in the extreme North; Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi, and Ngatiwhatua• from the forests of Taranaki and Te Urewera; from Ngatiawa and Ngatikahungunu, in the South j and Te Whakatohea and Ngatiporou in the East. The intermediate tribes also responded to the invitation of Waikato iv large numbers. It was the greatest meeting of the Maori race that had taken place for years. The number assembled was estimated at about 5,000. The following tribes were represented by the following chiefs : — Waikato: By Tawhiao, Whitiora Maneha, Tapihana, and Te Tuhi —the loyal portion of this tribe being represented by Major Te Wheoro, Hone te One, Nini Kukutai, Hori Kukutai, the Rev. Wi Patene, Aihipene Kaihau, Te Awaitaia, and others. Ngatimaniapoto: By Rewi Manga Maniapoto, Taonui, Wahanui, Wetere te Rerenga, Te Ngohi, Pumipi Tuhoro, Paku, Hauauru, and others. Ngatihaua: Hauhau Section—By Te Ngakau, Pokai, Te Kuiti, Pakeho, and others. Friendly Section —By Hote Tamihana, Tana te Waharoa, Raihi Toroatai, Te Hakiriwhi, and others. Ngatiraukawa North: By Hitire Paerata, Te Rei Paehua, Whitipatato, Te Rangitutia, Te Aokatoa, Arekatera te Wera, and others. Ngatiwhatua : By Paora Tuhaere, Paraone Ngaweke, Arama Karaka, and others. Te Rarawa and Ngapuhi: By Hone Mohi Tawhai, Hori Karaka Tawiti, M.H.R., Kerei Mangonui, Timoti Pumipi, Taiwhanga, Bryers, Tawakc, and about thirty other chiefs. Ngatipaoa: By Waata Tipa, Puhata, Wini Kerei, and a few others. Ngatitamatera: By Tukukino, Hirawa te Moananui, Hohepa te Rauhihi, Tareranui, and others. Ngaiterangi: By Hori Tupaea, Hori Ngatai, Hamiora Tv, Hone Makarauri, Enoka te Whanake, and others. Te Arawa : By Petera te Pukuatua, Maihi te Rangikaheke, Perenara, and a few others. Ngatituwharetoa: By Te Heuheu, Poihipi Tukairangi, Kingi te Herekiekie, Hohepa Tamamutu, and others. Ngatiterangiita: By Hori te Tauri, Wiremu te Tauri, Aperahama te Whetu, and others. Whanganui: By Major Kcpa te Rangihiwinui, Topia Turoa, Takarangi, Mete Kingi, Matuahu, and others. Ngatiraukawa South: By Enoka te Rauhihi, Karanama te Kapukai, Hema te Ao, and others. Te Whakatohea and Ngatiawa North : By Te Hura. Hurinui Apanui, Paratene, and others. Among the representatives from Ngatikahungunu, Rongowhakaata, Ngatiporou, Ngarauru, and Ngatiawa South, there were none of any rank. At this meeting spirituous liquors were prohibited by the chiefs, thus in this respect differing from similar gatherings amongst tho loyal tribes, at which, as a rule, much dissipation goes on. The general health and appearance of the people assembled was good, and, for Maoris, they were fairly clothed. Some sickness, however, prevailed, especially amongst the Kopua residents, owing, as lam informed, to diarrhoea, influenza, and whooping-cough. Large quantities of food were provided, thus showing that the Natives had not been idle during the last planting season. It is not necessary for me to recapitulate the business done at the meeting, as the Government are already in possession of full reports. Native Land Courts. A Native Land Court, presided over by Judge Monro, has been holding a sitting at Cambridge for the last two months or more, and is now attended by a large number of Maoris. Decisions by it have been given in the Okauia, Wairere, Karaka, Tuaraparaharaha, Mangawhara, and other blocks, in all containing over 50,000 acres, which, with the exception of Okauia and Wairere, have given entire satisfaction to the Maoris interested. The Okauia and Wairere cases were heard on tho application of the Ngatihinerangi, the Ngatihaua appearing as counterclaimants- and the difficulties in connection with these blocks have mainly contributed to the unusual time the Court has been sitting. The Ngatihaua fought desperately for an interest, but the decision of the Court, with the exception of eight individuals of Ngatihaua who were admitted, was given in favour of Ngatihinerangi. Immediately the decision was announced, about twenty-five of the Ngatihaua, led by Hoani Tuhakaraina, armed, started off to take possession, and are there still, doing the Ngatihinerangi some damage by killing their pigs and eating their potatoes. The sufferers, instead of taking the law in their own hands, have decided, under my advice, to take legal proceedings against the trespassers if they do not clear off. On first hearing of this I at once went and interviewed Te Raihi Toroatai, Hakiriwhi, and other Ngatihaua chiefs, who promised to recall the party despatched to Okauia; and, as a precautionary

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