The Rebel Land League—In May, 1849, the entire tribe met at Turangarere, on the occasion of the opening of a new church. The subject of land sales was introduced at that meeting, and warmly discussed. It was proposed that no person or family should sell land within the boundary of the Ngatiruanui territory without the general consent of the tribe. This proposal was approved by many, but the meeting was not unanimous. Many asserted their right to do as they pleased with their own; and Hona and Karipa persisted in their determination to sell. The opponents to selling pushed their views, and sought to make it "Te Tikanga o te Iwi" (the law of the tribe) that no individual or family should alienate land without the consent of the whole tribe. To make the law popular and binding, they determined on a more general meeting, and to invite all the tribes along the coast to join them in this measure. Tamati Reina, a zealous opponent of land sales, made a tour along the coast from New Plymouth to Wellington, soliciting the co-operation of the principal chiefs. The proposal was that a League be formed that should be both defensive and offensive in its operations, not merely binding its members not to sell, but also prohibiting others from selling, and which should employ any amount of force they might be able to command in carrying out their measures. Tamati met with a favourable reception at Waitara, at Otaki, and from some of the Wellington chiefs. After the usual amount of agitation, a great meeting was summoned to be held at Manawapou, for which extensive preparations were made. A large house was built, said to be the largest ever erected in the country, measuring 120 feet in length by 35 in breadth. Matioi Te Whiwhi, who attended this meeting, named the building "Taiporohenui," a word that is used as a symbol of union. The meeting was held in 1854, about 1000 persons attended, and the following measures were resolved upon:—

"1st. That from this time forward no more land shall be alienated to Europeans without the general consent of the confederation.

"2nd. That in reference to the Ngatiruanui and Tarnnaki tribes, the boundaries of the pakeha shall be Kai Iwi on the south side, and a place within a short distance of New Plymouth on the north.

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"3rd. That no European Magistrate shall have Jurisdiction within native boundaries, but all disputes shall be settled by the Rúnanga.

"To give solemnity to the proceedings, and confirm the bond into which they entered with each other, they buried a New Testament in the earth and raised a cairn of stones on the spot; and to re-assert and perpetuate their determination, parties have been appointed to beat the boundaries at certain periods.

"This was the origin of the notorious Taranaki Land League, which evidently contains the elements of the present King movement, and which has proved so fruitful a source of dissension among the Tribes of that district, caused so much bloodshed, and brought about the present collision between W. King and Sis Excellency the Governor.

"Its fruits soon appeared. But a few months after its formation, land was offered for sale to the Government by a tribe not connected with the League, and Rawiri Waiaua, a Native Assessor, went with his people to cut the boundary. Katatoré one of the most active chiefs in the League, with sixty armed men, met them on the land, and fired at Rawiri's party, killing seven and wounding ten, Rawiri being among the dead. Thus commenced the native war at Taranaki, which has continued from that time to this, and has at length involved the Governor in a conflict with the obstructive party that threatens to be more serious in its results than any of the collisions of former years."—From the Rev. Thomas Buddle's (Wesleyan Missionary) able Pamphlet on the "King Movement."