PROCEEDINGS OF THE KAIMAI COMMITTEE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume V, Issue 428, 18 October 1876, Page 3

PROCEEDINGS OF THE KAIMAI COMMITTEE.

In order that the public may be fully conversant with the action which has 1 T> : eon taken\by the Kaimai Committee, on: their behalf, in reference to the - opening of Kaimai, we give a synopsis of the proceedings since the general public meeting at which the Committee was elected. On the morning following the meeting, the 11th, the Com- ; mittee waited on Mr Commibioner • Brabant, and informed him of a large public meeting being held on the Kaimai question, and handed him a copy of the resolutions passed thereat. His assistance was also solicited, and he courteously promised to communic ate the substance of the resolutions to the Under Secretary of the Native Department, at "Wellington. Previous to the interview, Mr Edgcumbe : was elected Chairman of the Committee, Mr T. D. Wrigley, Treasurer, and Mr Warbrick, Secretary. During , the same day, the resolutions were retransmitted by wire to Captain Morris, M.H.R., and he was also in- ' 'formed of the general feeling existing. Telegrams, were also sent to Sir George —jGfcpey, 'and 'Messrs Swanson, Sheehan, r~and Henry, requesting them to assist Captain Morris. Later in. the, day, a more" urgent telegram was sent to Captain Morris, which elicited the following reply : — Telegram received. Will consult Government, and inform you by letter. G. B. Mobeib. Subscription lists were this day opened for the purpose of liquidating 1 incidental expenses. :. Oii the 12th, the Committee again interviewed Mr Commissioner Brabant for the. purpose of ascertaining information as to the intentions of the : Government, and were informed that ' no communication had been received. : Tiie following . telegram was ceived:---Second telegram, received. Excitement MUST be allayed for the present. Mr Brabant's tele'gciiin been received. O. B. MOBBIS. On the 13th t The Committee met this morning", and it was agreed to • again interview Mr Brabant, and urge immediate action. Mr Brabant informed * the Com- j = mittee that he had not received any communication from Welllington in respect to the proposed native meeting.- . " j

'' .After the interview, the following telegram was sent to. the Hon.. the •Native Minister :. —

Kuimsi < 'ommittee having failed to receive any fepiy fmrn Commissioner i-rabant, have ;; I't.-rn'^oti interviewed thut gentleman, jinl in'oira <i him of their intention to rail a meeting uf inlereßUjd natives in conjunction

with Ngaiterangi chief* as early ac possible, but would prefer the Government taking the initiative, as desired at the late public meeting. A reply would oblige.. K. M. Edgcumbe, Chairman. Aho to Captain Morris, informing him of substance of telegram sent to the Native Minister,, and also another to this effect :— It is ridiculous to expect public will submit to any further delay. No information afforded to lead them to a oontrary opinion, E. M. Edgcumbe, Chairman. Telegrams were also sent to Messrs Howe and Lusk, M.H.R., asking cooperation. Captain Morris was informed cf the various members of the House heretofore mentioned having been, wired to. On the 14th : The Chairman read the following telegram to him from the Native Minister : — He yours. The Government bave already taken the initiative, and authorised Mr Brabant to make the best arrangements be oan with the natives. Any demonstration on the part of the Committee is more likely to impede than promote the object in view." Donaud MoLsah. The following telegram was transmitted to Captain Morris :- — Am requested by Kaimai Committee to inform you that all telegrams from you re Kaiinai will be paid for at this end. Kindly make use of the telegraph. Tour silence ie most unsatisfactory. Native Minister communicated with me to day. B. M. Edgoumbb, Chairman. On the 16th : The Committee met this morning, when the following resolution was transmitted to Mr Sheehan : — Public agitating immediate action on part of Government in relation to opening Kaimai for gold prospecting. Taptain Morris bad resolutions of large public meeting transmitted him, together with numerous telegrams on the subject. Committee bare bad no satisfac* tory reply. Please say whether you will be prepared to act on our behalf in the House should that action be deemed advisable. If you approve we will fully instruct you as to what course the public would desire adopted. A Sub-Committee, consisting of Messrs Edgcumbe, J. C. Young, Firth Wrigley, and Warbrick, visited Matipihi settlement, where they interviewed the Ngaeterangi chiefs on the Kaimai question, and the advisability of holding a public meeting of all the natives interested in the Kaimai and the adjacent grounds. The question was duly considered after the Committee had explained their policy to the natives present, who much approved of the action the Committee had already taken in endeavouring to remove, in a constitutional manner, the obstacles which have hitherto " darkened the Kaimai horizon." At their own urgent request, it was determined that the natives interested, together with the Pirirakau obstructionists, should be called together by them at Whareroa, on an early date; they undertaking the whole responsibility and control of the meeting, the Europeans not being called upon to assist in any way ; they will, however, be cordially invited to attend, and will then have an opportunity of hearing the precise nature of the native difficulties we are every day reminded exist.

In the evening, the Chairman received the following from Captain Morris : —

Have interviewed Government re Eaimai a dozen timea. Am anxious about i% as jou. Brabant must have time.

Yesterday : The Committee met at noon. The Chairman informed the members that, at the request of the natives, he had interviewed Mr Bra-

bant, and acquainted him with the result of the visit of the Sub-Com-mittee to the Ngaiterangi chiefs at Matapihi.