THE LEVEE.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 21, 27 December 1843, Page 3

THE LEVEE.

About One o'Clock yesterday, Tuesday, the Governor held his first Levee at Government House, where we noticed the greatett number of gentlemen ever assembled together in Auckland. George Clarke, Esq,, the Chief Protector, introduced a number of influential Chiefs of New Zealand, who wished an Address they had prepared, to be read to His Excellency, which Mr, Clarke read, when His Excellency said he would feel ob-

»iged by Mr. Clarke translating what he was about to say, which he did.

His Excellency then said, he was glad to meet the chiefs, who were now present, as the Queen, his mistress, had directed him to tell the natives of New Zealand that she took a very great interest in their welfare, and as the first proof of her kindness, she instructed him to inform the natives that the lauds they have sold to Eu. ropeans, will be investigated, and after allowing a certain portion of those lands (according to a certain scale) to the respective purchasers, any overplus was to be returned to the original owners, where they could be found, but if there was no owner, the land would fall into the hands of the crown, as wastelands, as the Government would never sanction any act of injustice, either to Europeans or natives, and as it was the intention of the Government to purchase no more lands from the natives, Europeans might lease lands from the natives for short periods, under certain regulations, but it was the wish of the government to protect the natives, and not allow them to sell their lands at present, but lease it, which would bring them in a certain sum annually, but, said his Excellency, of course it will take some months for making the necessary arrangements for carrying those arrangements out, and by the natives letting the land to Europeans on short leases, both parties might be mutually benefitted by it, and he was sure no Christian would devise any plan of agrandisement that would injure the natives. His Excellency said there was another point, respecting the land, that he wished to be distinctly understood, viz.: that the lands purchased by the ohurch missionary society, for the use of churches, will be retained, and also lands purchased from the natives by other persuasions, Wesleyans, Catholics, and all that believed in the name of the Son of God, which lands were for the public good, should also be retained, for, said His Excellency, however I may differ with my fellow-creatures, as to the minor points of religion, I wish to enjoy my own opinion, and I a so wish others to enjoy equal liberty of conscience, as they all looked for the same Almighty God. His Excellency then said, the address presented by Mr. Clarke, on behalf of the native chiefs, gratified him very mnch, and contained a deal of good sense, and what the addresses asked, he had been instructed to give, if he could see it was likely to benefit the Natives, and asafuither proof of the interest the Queen of England took on behalf of the Natives of New Zea'and, Shi authorized him to appoint auother Judge of the Supreme Court, (Here His Excellency introduced H. S. Chapman, Esq., the newly appointed Judge, to the Native Chiefs, and he shook them cordially by the hand.) in order that there should be no delay in the Administration of Justice, and continued His Excellency, we shall expect, that you, (the Natives) on your part will render all assistance in your power to apprehend, and bring to Justice, any person whether Native or Eurnpean, who may commit any offence contrary to Law, and where a Native is .brought to trial, he shall have the benefit of the best Counsel that can be had, by the Government, and in the course of to-morrow, said the Governor, I will return an answer to the Natives, in writing to their very loyal and sensible Address. [We are sorry we could not get a copy of the Addresses presented by the Natives to His Excellendy. One of the Addresses expressed the wish of the Native to sell his land to whom he'-pleased, if the Government would not purchase it, hut his Excellency said that the only object of the Government, was to protect the Native, and keep him in possession of his land, but if it was seen there was no likelihood of their being imposed upon, of course that obstacle could be removed. The rest Gf the presentations then took place, when the Gantlemeu left Government House.