MEETING OF NGAITERANGI CHIEFS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 24, 23 November 1872, Page 3

MEETING OF NGAITERANGI CHIEFS.

A I.AB&E number of chiefs, representatives from all the principal " hapus" residing in the Tau« ranga district, met at Whareroa on the morning of the 19th instant, at the invitatien of Mori Ngatai, one of the leading chiefs of the Ngaiterangi tribe. It was convened in accordance with a general wish expressed at a gathering of natives at Maungatapu, on the occasion of the death of Tareha's son (a notice of which appeared in the columns of this paper), that -when Mr Commissioner Clarke returned from Wellington he should be invited to meet them, and his advice asked on certain points relating to native interests. At that time there was every probability that there would be an additional Maori in the House of Representatives, which would materially affact this district. This expectation, however, was frustrated by the action of the Upper House in the General Assembly. After a sumptuous breakfast, consisting of pork, fish, bread, and new potatoes. Hori Ngatai opened business by recapitulating what had taken place at the previous meeting at Maungatapu, when they hoped that they would be allowed a member of their own in the House of Representatives, and that although they were disap; ointed in their expectation they wished Mr Clarke to explain the reasons why the additional Maori representative was not allowed, and to ask his advice as to the course they should adopt to urge what they consider to be their right—a right admitted by one branch of the legislature. He then related a conversation which took place between Mr GHllies (the Superintendent) and some of the Tauranga chiefs— te Kuka, H**rawir», Kotae, and others —from which they gathered that that district was not represented in the General Assembly. That Mr GilhVs had drawn a diagram on the ground and convinced them of the correctness of his statement. He added that they felt themselves aggrieved at the action of the " house of aged chiefs"—Legislative Council, and that they were determined to urge thfir claim s ". Mr Clarke explained to them, as nearly as he could remember, what occurred in tL e Lowtsr House during the passage through it of the Maori Representative Act. 1 hat many of the Pakeba members seemed to be of opinion, that th® native

race was sufficiently represented ia the Parliament ot the country ; and from all he could eathor it appeared to be the prevailing wish, that the pakoha and Maori elections should be conducted on the same footing. That in the Maori representation everyone over the ago of twenty-one years was eligible to vote, whereas in the pakeha representation it was necessary that every voter should be the possessor of a certain amount of mAmb rt ‘ T ’ &C * 5 n Ut ’ "°. twith9taTlc3in C this opinion, members generally wishea to allow the Maori race every indulgence, and the bill was carried bv majorities through all its stages. After thw, according to our usages, it was necessary that the A,ll should be considered by the other branch of ™n^p S ]- m re H l ?* isla ' V 0 Council; “ but the council of elder chiefs, as Hori respectfully styled seX’t J 6re 80 fts the House of Ho’pre- : -^ OCa ali he coald wraembor, the members look the same line of argument as many ot the gentlemen m the Lower House, and the fefth member was not allowed. The Bill was bu f t baCk ff ain to e the House of Representatives, addi nn y r° Uld n DOt f f P alo ”g time agree that the additional member should be disallowed; and it wag omy from a fear, on account of the lateness of the session, that all the Maori members would lose their seats, that the Lower House were foreed to y>W- This was as nearly as h \r r ® metnbcr w,,at took place. Mr vdarke then added: You ask my advice, a " dlfc ap P? a rf to m ® thafc there is only one course p • is the right as well ns the privilege of every subject of the Queen to lay their grievances before the .throne and before the Legislative bodies for consideration. You can, if you please, petition both Houses of the Legislator/, and pray that your case bo reconsidered 1 J fW ft fn som ® surf5 urfc her discussion, it was decided that the petition should be sent, translation of which wo give below :—. “To the Honourable the Speaker and the members of the House of Representatives.— Friends, Greeting. We liavo been informed that you agreed _ to give us a fifth member to represent the native race in the Parliament, and that it was through the action of the elder chiefs that your desire was frustrated. Now this is a respectful request from us to yon, to bo strong and energetic, and obtain for"us a member for this district. We are not at all dear as to the reasons assigned for not allowing a member for this district. Your petitioners will ever pray/' The following ,Is a translation of the petition proposed to be sent to the honorable the Legislative Council '“ To the Honorable the Speaker ami the members of the House of the elder chiefs •—h athers —Greeting. This is a word from us, trom ail the Ngaiterangi tribe residing in Tauranga, to you. Do you reconsider your decision regarding the member for this district, which you have disallowed. Wo do not understand the grounds upon which it was disallowed by you It is our earnest wish that we should have a voice in the Kunanga, for it is our conviction that wo have no voice in the Parliament—wo are left out in the eoid. Your petitioners will ever pray,” &o It was understood that the petition to the XTppor xsvitao snom« o- Beat to the Hon Wi Tako for presentation ; and the one to the Lower House will 06 entrusted to WTi Ptirata At this stage of the proceedings a rather nmusing incident occurred. A largo shark, attracted by the entrails of the fish which had been camdit the night before, came into the narrow channel in front of the Whareroa pa, and lingered too long co.mstent with its own safety, for as the tide went out it was left embayed in a long strip of water, varying from two to six feet deep, and about 400 yards kmg. The chiefs called out to the younger men. If you can catch that shark and draw it to shore it will be a favourable omen aa to the result ot the petition we have decided to send to the Parliament. If you let it go, it will bo a sure sign that our prayer will be rejected.” The young athletes oirectiy stripped to’the waist, and proparea for the contest. Some armed themselves witn totnanawks, spades, poles, and any other convenient weapon which presented itself. The bolder spirits relied upon their bare hands and strength of muscle to grapple with the monster. Alter an exciting chase, and various vicissitudes, the shark was caught by one of Hori Nagtai’s young men throwing himself boldly on the fish and grasping it in his arms. Others came to bis assistance, and the monster was despatched and drawn to the shore amidst the cheers of the bystanders—“ Hurrah for the petition !” The shark measured about 9ft. long, and about sft. in circumference. Hori Ngatai then addressed himself to Mr Clarke on the subject of the political contest, which had taken place during the session. He appeared to think it was Mr Clarke’s duty to give them all the political news, and to favour them with his opinion as to men and measures. Ho stated that Karnitiana had sent a circular letter round, which contained statements contrary to fact, and had misled the people. Great promises had been made regarding confiscated land, and the wonderful things that ho, and the Govern merit he supported, were going to do for the Maori race, all of which they found out on careful reflection that it would bo impossible to caryv out. Mr Clarke replied that he could not, as a subordinate officer in the Civil Service of the colony, give any opinion on political matters without incurring severe censure, and very properly so. That he, and many others like him were the servants of the Government of the day’ and were bound by the rules of the service to carry out the orders of their superiors ; but that the natives might rely on him in one thing—that 1 __ t® aw a ° y G' overnm ent doing, or about to do, anything likely to work zmVhief either to the Maori race, or the pakehn that ho would feel it ms duty to express bis opinion to his superior officer, and that if that officer persisted in carrying out any measures fraught with evil consequences, he alone should bo responsible. Mr Clarke advised the natives in future not to be too hasty in jumping to conclusions, but to look to result". The best men were never known by what they say and promise, bub they were proved by their actions. Hori Tupaea and several others spoke in high praise of Mr McLean and what bo bad done for tno native race since he had been at the head of native affairs. How be had by bis conciliatory

and just treatment of tlp-n Woken dawn «U hostility between the racy ' »t it w-is vnrV easy tor any other jwwon go w d « ain pi£ to endeavour to follow m his s ..—but could eustoeis ?° Ufc & k,K,wjotl S e of nativecharacter and Mr Clarke then, at the wqnMt of the natives. DiSriTsn n fTf ? f a b,U ca,!ed th * Native 13mtr.otB Council Act, introduced last session, but which was withdrawn on account of the lateness or the session. After a very intelligent discussion, showing fect ar MW*i th if y began to < -‘ <)na prehend the euW ject, Mr Clarke was requested to write to the Honourable the 3Salive Minister, and inform him wbi-K 1 appreciation of the motives rheifcordll ’ to introdu ‘- the measure, and their coriial concurrence in its provisions. addrn < L«!? < f t,t fi 1S “ ,J m !ko 11 P after a few words till 0 tho Npitorangi chiefs, congratulating W h° n ” 10 °r ,lerl 3; manner in which the meeting had been conducted, and the unanimity of their opinions. J Hori Ngatai said in reply that he had laid it down as a rule that no intoxicating drinks should do landed at his pa, for he had seen the evil of drinking. At some meetings at which he had been present spirits had been allowed to bo introduced, and the consequence had been much noim and excitement. I. bey had seen on this occasion that no disturbance or noisy wrangling had taken place and ne attributed it in a great'measure to the rule he had laid down that uo spirits should bo landed at \\ hareroa. After a few remarks from Mr Clarke the meeting separated.