41

G.—3

[From the 2>cw ZeaTancler, Wellington, 22nd Juue, 1878.] THE WAITARA MEETIUCJ. (From our Special Correspondent. By Electric Telegraph.) New Plymouth, 21st June. Your readers will have already learned that the steamer "Hinemoa " left the Wellington wharf shortly before 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon for Taranaki, having on board the Hon. Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr. Sheohan en route to Waitara, to attend the important Native meeting arranged to be held there ; also, that the object of the meeting is to consummate the good work commenced at the recent great meeting at Hikurangi, to bring together William King and the principal originators of the destructive and desolating war at Taranaki in 1860-G1 —a war which, from a small beginning, grew to considerable dimensions —and to meet the Premier and the Native Minister at the Waitara, and on this historic spot to bring the unhappy differences which have so long existed between the Natives and the Europeans to a peaceful and final termination at the place where the troubles began. Among those on board were the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, who proceeds to Auckland on business connected with his department; Mr. Mitchell, Private Secretary to the Premier; and Mr. Grace, Private Secretary to the Native Minister; the Hon. Wi Tako; Mr. Karaitiana Takamoana, M.H.E.; and Mr. J. A. Jury. There was a large number of Natives on board on their way to the meeting place. They came from Kapiti, Otaki, Waikanao and other places. The following Ngatiraukawa chiefs were passengers : Wi Parata, Hoani Taipua; Matone Te Whiwhi —a celebrated chief and warrior, who took a prominent part in the Tarpaiaki war, and was desirous of being King, but was unsuccessful in uniting the tribes under one head at that eventful period ; Kirioana Whamaro, Roera Hukiki, and Metere te Karaha. The principal Ngatiawa chiefs on board were Wi Tamahana te Neko, Manihera to Toru, Wi Api Pakua, Enoka Iloepa, Tipcne te Earo, Mawene Ilohua, Tiniora Eau. The steamer arrived off Taranaki shortly after 4 o'clock, having experienced a very rough passage. The landing was a work of some excitement and difficulty, and, notwithstanding a heavy and constant downpour of rain, the Mayor, A. Standish, Esq., 1\ A. Carrington, Esq , J. Jones, Esq., and a number of gentlemen and ladies were on the beach to welcome Sir George Grey and the Native Minister. Sir George Grey and party proceeded in the evening by special train to Waitara. In addition to the wooden buildings erected for the accommodation of the Nativoa a number of tents have been ordered. Mr. Halse has kindlygiven up his residence at Waitara for tho accommodation of Ministers and party. All the arrangements, so far as providing accommodation is concerned, are completed. Thirty carts laden with provisions will arrive to-morrow. It is not expected that the real business of the meeting will be begun to-morrow. William King and Rewi will hold a conference with Sir George Grey and the Native Minister. Monday will bo proclaimed as a general holiday. There will be a grand demonstration on the occasion. The people purpose giving Ministers a banquet and ball before leaving. A very successful meeting was held on Wednesday evening of all the leading citizens for the purpose of taking steps to have the banquet and ball carried out on a scale befit! ing tho occasion. The settlers are looking forward to the approaching meeting with a good deal of interest. I could occupy considerable space in narrating the idle gossip current regarding the meeting, which a penny-a-liner would no doubt be delighted to transmit; but I prefer recording facts to indulging in prolix effusions, tho importance of which, so far as reliable information is concerned, is generally in the inverse ratio. I shall send you a full report of the .speeches delivered at tho meeting, as they are expected to be of more than ordinary interest. [From the New Zealander, 24th June.] THE WAITARA MEETING)-. (From our own Correspondent. By Telegraph.) Waitara, 23rd Juue. As I slated yesterday, the Native meeting, which is anxiously looked forward to by both Natives and Europeans, will not take place until Monday. Owing to the incessant rain and the flooded state of the country people are obliged to keep in-doors, so that one cannot see much of Waitara. For many hundreds of miles along the coast there is a fine belt of excellent arable land. The country inland is somewhat broken, and covered to a great extent with magnificent forest. Those who have road the story of tho unfortunate Taranaki war will know that the GOO acres of land at the mouth of the Waitara Eiver, tho dispute about the purchase of which is said to have been tho origin of the war, was supposed by some of tho Maoris to bo one of the sacred spots where one of the canoes bringing their ancestors to the Island landed, that it was on that account tabooed, and should not, upon any consideration whatever, have been parted with by tho Native owners. Taranaki possesses some of the most fertile land in the North Island, but the progress of the province from its first settlement in 1841 has been more or less retarded by Native feuds arising from various causes. In these intertribal quarrels the contending parties treated each other mercilessly. The great cause of trouble amon» them has been the parting with the land to the Europeans. William King, who is now so anxious to see friendly relations'established between the two races, has hitherto been an avowed opponent to land purchases. He fought for the tribal right over the land, and it is said that it rested with this chief to decide the question of peace or war after tho disturbances in 18G0 broke out. This province suffered much from the dreadful scourge of war at that period, and the bereavements and misfortunes of the settlers were very heavy indeed. It is stated that the comfortable homesteads of some two hundred settlers were completely destroyed and desolated during that stirring and eventful crisis. Considering the great hardships which the early settlers experienced it is not to be wondered at that the people regard the approaching meeting as one of great importance to the province and to the whole colony.° Should it terminate satisfactorily, as there is no reason whatever to doubt it will, Sir George Grey will be enabled to carry out his favourite policy of opening up the North Island byroada°so as to facilitate the profitable and permanent settlement of the country, establishing a Listing peace, strengthening tho bond of friendship between both races, and diffusing happiness and contentment ainont^the people. The Taranaki Herald of yesterday, referring to the present aspect of Native 6—G. 3.