( From the Bay of Plenty Times.) On Monday, September 29, there was a large assemblage of natives on the beach for the purpose of hearing Mr. Dargaville’s opinions. Most of the principal chiefs were present, and, at the hour announced, Mr. Dargaville expressed himself willing to commence his address. The natives objected to an open air meeting, because they said that when pakehas were called together they were provided with a room to meet in. Accord ingly an adjournment took place to Fraser’s Hall, which was speedily filled. Hone Makarauri was elected to the chair, and Mr. Dargaville addressed the meeting at length, Mr. F. Johnson interpret ing. Mr. Dargaville said that, though a stranger in the district, he was not a stranger to the Maori people in other parts of the province, many of whom were his particular friends. He had been eight years in New Zealand, and had carefully studied Maori character and Maori requirements. The Maoris were brave in war and hospitable in piece, and strongly attached to their native soil. It was considered amongst Europeans that a brave men could not be a bad man, and con sequently he had a high opinion of a people who had distinguished themselves in warfare as the Maoris had done. The Government was spending large sums of money to bring immigrants to the place, but why should not the natives become as good colonists as any that could be imported. ( Cheers.) Large tracts of fine land were, at the present moment, growing fern and nothing else, and it was never intended by the Atua that such was to continue. ( Loud and continued applause.) If people were brought to the place the lands would become valuable. It was many years ago that the Atua directed the Maori to come to New Zealand, and afterwards He directed the Europeans there, because there was room for both races. It was right that the Maoris should have the best of the land, for they were first here; and if they would deal with their lands as Europeans are doing in other places, they would be indepen dent and their children also for generations to come. 