M.
MEETING AT THE PA WHAKAAIRO.

On the 7th November a Maori meeting was held at Te Pa Whakaairo, which was called by nearly all the Native Chiefs at Ahuriri; about 200 natives were present, some of whom had come from Te Waipukurau, Te Aute, Eparaima, and Waimarama. The Superintendent

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of the Province, with Messrs. Alexander, Colenso, and G. Cooper, were specially invited by the natives, and several other settlers attended. The meeting lasted until it was nearly dark; during the day an excellent plain dinner was prepared by the natives for their guests, consisting of geese, pork, cray-fish, and sausage rolls, ale, beer, ginger beer, milk, and tea. The principal speaker on the part of the natives was the Chief Renata, who was understood to act as spokesman and to express the opinions of the natives of Ahuriri and the East Coast. The following translation of Renata's speech is different from, but more correct and intelligible than, the one given in the Hawke's Bay Herald of December 8th:—