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some years past been a fanatical prophet of the Hauhau creed. In this capacity, and as a practised and successful warrior, engaged in nearly all the fights with the English on the West Coast of this Island since IS6O, he has gained great ascendancy over his countrymen, though he is not a chief of high birth. Titokowaru appears to possess in a large degree that passion and grief for war which are common to most Maoris. Colonel Whitmore reports that he commands his men with all the skill of an experienced general. His antipathy against the English is said to have been increased by his loss of an eye in action with our troops some time ago." I refer to these matters, occurring only a few years ago, to contrast with them the present position of the country which was devastated by Titokowaru, has now been reoccupied, and contains fair-sized towns, while the farms are amongst the best in New Zealand; land which could not then be approached is now coming under the plough. High prices are paid for it, and it is occupied in perfect security. Titokowaru is now a man of peace, aud the Native Minister, within the last few weeks, has had a most satisfactory interview with him. Prepaeations foe the Meeting. Sir George Grey lias telegraphed to Eewi that he will be here to-morrow. Some persons in Eewi's confidence say he will not go to the Upper House if called, while others as confidently state that he will. Considerable quantities of food are being brought to Waitara by the Natives of this district. The preparations for the meeting on the part of the Government are in the hands of Major Brown, the Civil Commissioner of the district. It is now blowing freshly, and it may be dangerous to land to-morrow. [From the Neiv Zealand Herald, 22nd June.] THE WAITARA NATIVE MEETING. (By Electric Telegraph. From our Special Correspondent.) New Plymouth, Friday. Taeanaki District. The Provincial District of Taranaki, in which so much of the exciting history of New Zealand has been transacted, extends from the Palca River on the south to the Mokan on the north, comprising about two and a half millions of acres, of which a large proportion is good land. The land is mostly bush, so that settlement has been slow from that as well as from other reasons. There has been here no temptation for the operation of large capitalists, but, on the other hand, it is claimed that it presents the most favourable field for working-men with small capital. A small settler taking up laud on the deferred-payment system, who can clear his land himself, can soon be in a position of comfort. The population of the province has about doubled within the last four years, and, in the southern part especially, settlement is making rapid progress. The "Waimate Plains, of which so much has lately been heard, are in Taranaki, and their settlement will add greatly to its prosperity. At present Taranaki is over-represented compared with the rest of the North Island, but the people here say that the population is increasing so rapidly that it would be absurd to make any change. They say that, if you follow a population basis, you will have to restore the member next year. The Town of New Plymouth looks about as dull as ever it did, but, as is always the case, the people are confidently anticipating a change soon. Mr. Carruthers has long ago repeated that it was quite practicable to make a harbour. An Act was passed some years ago to the effect that one-fourth of all the land sales within the province should be devoted to the construction of a harbour at New Plymouth. A loan of £200,000 is to be obtained, and it is anticipated that with that sum works can be co?.istructed that can accommodate the steamers, and enable a direct trade to be carried on with Australia. The prospects of Taranaki, it cannot be gainsaid, are very hopeful, and no doubt the result of the present meeting will be to remove the last shadow of danger from disturbance by the Natives. How greatly the Native war has effected New Plymouth can now be seen by a visit to the cemetery close by the town, where are the graves of many soldiers and settlers shot or tomahawked by the Maoris. Ido hope and believe that is now all past, and that not another shot will be fired in anger. The Gathering op the Natives. Probably about 400 or HOO Natives are now at Waitara, mostly from the north. Tew of the southern Natives have arrived from Parihaka and other settlements. A large number of drays with provisions are on the way, but the bad weather has prevented them from getting up. It is confidently stated that Te Whiti, the Parihaka prophet, will not come. He considers that his attendance at a meeting called by Rewi might injure his prestige. For some years past Te Whiti has been giving utterance to prophecies, none of which have been verified in fact; but still he believes in himself that he is under Divine inspiration, and the Natives believe in him, Tawhiao himself paying great attention to his utterances. Fortunately Te Whiti's exhortations are on the side of peace, and they have so steadily been so that one is apt to think there is a good deal of worldly shrewdness and prudence mixed with his apparent fanaticism. That, indeed, would not be a new phenomenon with such men. Te Whiti has declared that the Europeans would be driven from the country by Divine agency, without the Maoris being required to lift a hand for the purpose. At one time ho commanded his people to blaze away all their stock of powder in shooting birds, and they did it. He has frequently asked the Civil Commissioner here not to let the Natives of his settlement have powder unless he sanctions the getting it. Can any one decide whether Te Whiti is a far-seeing, thoughtful man, convinced that an outbreak of tne Natives would be their destruction, and anxious by all means to prevent their committing themselves, and merely pretending to prophetic power knowing that the assumption gives an influence to his words which they would not otherwise have ; or is he a deluded fanatic, accidentally following the most prudent course? This is an instance in which it is difficult to fancy that extremes meet, but I believe the contraries are mixed in Te "Whiti's case, and have been in many such cases. His utterances are given forth in the true Delphic Oracle style, and i'orm material for the exercise of the Maori mind as to their meaning. Parihaka, where he lives, is a famous place for meetings. Two great ones are held there every year, and smaller ones every month, at which representatives from most

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