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reached Ngaruawahia at half-past two. Embarked there on the steamer " Delta," and arrived at Alexandra at 9.30 the same night. Great Piles of Food. —The Knra's Movements. I learn that there are mountains of flour piled up at Hikurangi. Tawhiao came near Alexandra on Saturday, on the opposite bank of the river, to witness a grand procession of Queenite war canoes. A messenger arrived from Hikurangi this morning, and reports two thousand present, amongst whom are> very few iSigatimaniopotos. Eewi is at Tokaniu, his settlement near Orakau. The late rains have flooded Hikurangi. Water ran through the houses. The Natives under temporary cover suffered much, and are growing very impatient. The piles of food are sufficient to last a fortnight. Mr. Ellis and some other Kihikihi Europeans have been at Hikurangi. Sir George Grey and party start from hence about 11 o'clock. The Number Present. The numbers at Hikurangi are variously estimated at 2,500 to 5,000. The following are present: The whole of the Waikatos; about 2,000 Ngatiraukawas; a small section of Ngatimaniopotos from Te Kopua ; some from Wanganui; besides Te Wheoro's people. There are 200 sacks of flour on the ground. Tawhiao has long been anxious to make the meeting the largest possible, and used every means to induce them to come long distances. The Ngatihikairo are said to have left their crops to rot, Eorty of Te Wheoro's Natives are here to escort the party up. One distinguished rangatira is strutting about before the hotel in a Maori mat, and leaning on a lady's white parasol. Peacock feathers are awful, and towering everywhere. War Cakoes. 1.10 p.m. Two war canoes are ready to convey the party up. The largest is named " Teata i Eepia," after one of the five wives of Tapane, the principal ancestor of Waikato. The smaller one, "Te Winika," is of little historic imDortance. Fifty men are on board both. Some of the party proceed on horseback. 12.20. The party do not proceed to Hikurangi to-day, at the request of Tawhiao. The Natives there are not prepared, besides, Ministers could not arrive until late, and it would be an inexcusable breach of Maori etiquette to tumble in upon them. Ministers will go in a war canoe as far as Waikairo to satisfy etiquette, returning here, and going up in the morning. Some Europeans are spreading mischievous rumours that Eewi's absence is caused by Te Wheoro. The party will remain at Te Kopua to-night. To-morrow, Ministers and suite will ride up, so as to arrive at Hikurangi simultaneously with Te Wheoro's party. [From the Auckland Evening Star, Blh May.] THE GEEAT NATIVE MEETING AT HIKUIIANGI. Cordial Reception of the Premier and Native Minister. Five Thousand Natives Present. How Sib George Grey and the Maoei King met. (By Telegraph. From our Special Reporter. By Special Carrier.) At 9 o'clock yesterday Sir George Grey, T. H. Potts, and Mr. Mitt-hell proceeded in a war canoe to Te Atai B-ehia, to Whakairoiro, close to the scene of the last mooting. It was a magnificently exciting scene when the canoe crossed the rapids ; the regular stroke of the paddlers, the long peacock feathers in their hair, the time-giver making fine time. Messrs. Sheehan, Hone Nahe, Grace, Bush, G. Browne, and your special proceeded on horseback to the same place, where there were about three hundred Friendlies and Te Wheoro's party awaiting the canoe. The following are the names of the principal chiefs: Te Wheoro, Batima te Whakaete; Revs. Wi Barton, Heta Tevawiti; Hatea Ngaropi, Nene Kukutai, Hori Kukutai, llomi te Awaitaia, Ponui te Wharepu, Tamati Wiremu, Wetini Mahikai, Hori Herewini, Tuwhakaraiana, Puka Taura, Kapiuiwahi, and Kuri te Oho. In the King Country. After a short stay the party mounted their horses and rode to Hikurangi, a distance of seventeen miles south-west. For some distance the road runs over a comparatively level country, on the tops of low ridges. It is fern land, and generally excellent in quality. There are some nasty creeks and slippery slopes. At Ngutunui, Big-lip's old motto, " Facilis descensus avorni," would be appropriate. The party, numbering 120 horsemen and 150 on foot, halted, and the riders dismounted. A deep gulch and steep, soapy declivity, with deep mud traps. The pakehas slid down a zigzag way, holding precariously to the bridles. The Maoris prepared a more direct but hazardous descent. When half a mile from Hikurangi, Mr. Barton's sou directed the long cavalcade to form twos in cavalry fashion. Within a quarter of a mile of Hikurangi they were joined by another division of friendly VVaikatos, numbering 158, who proceeded on foot. The reinforcement brought the total up to about 420. The advance party received the Premier with a round of hearty cheers, and formed open ranks on each side as the party passed through. Others brought up the rear. The Kingites had cleared a grand coachroad through the fern. The quality of the soil iii this part is magnificent. The horses sank over their fetlocks in black loam. The ruad gradually ascended by a long range, upon which Hikurangi is situated, in shape like a magnet, with a deep, half-cleared valley. On mounting, a magnificent prospect bursts suddealy on view. A vast delta lies stretched oat to the north-east, upon which the white