NATIVE MEETING AT KAIAPOI.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2524, 11 May 1882, Page 4

NATIVE MEETING AT KAIAPOI.

On Wednesday a general meeting of the Natives of the Middle Bland was opened in the new runanga house, and by express invitation our repreeentative was present. The hall, which is erected in the European style, and has been previously described, is 80ft by 25ft, and affords propor seating accommodation for 200 persons. A portion has been taken for the stage, and recently a tasteful proscenium has been mado. The open braced roof and walls have been varnished. Two chandeliers with kerosene lamps have been suspended. The floor has been laid with matting, and very comfortable seats put in for the comfort of the Natives. Altogether this publio room is a credit to the Ngaitahu people, who hare for years made this their place for meeting owing to its central position, and the hospitality which the Kaiapoi Natives always afford, they being able from the superior houses at the village of St. Stephens to accommodate a large number of visitors for some time. At present the gathering was not quite so numerous as usual, but many are expected to oome in during the progress of the meeting, which will in all probability last a week. The proceedings on Wednesday began with a very pleasing little ceremony. For many years the Natives have boon called together in their place of meeting by the hoisting of a Union Jack, which was given them by Governor Goro Browne, but this having stood the breeze for so long, remained no longer presentable, and by subscription a new New Zealand ensign, with the word " Ngaitahu" on the centre of the oross, has been procured. This the member for the district was asked to unfurl, and he hoisted it to its place on the flagstaff in a few complimentary sentences, hoping that as under the old flag they had spent some good times, so they might under the new soe the condition of the Native raoe improved (in allusion, no doubt, to the chief topic in their minds, the prosecution of the Middle liland land olaims). The flag was saluted by a salvo of musketry and loud chetring. An adjournment was next made to the runanga house, at the door of which a sentinel stood, the Native police officer in the uniform of our force and white gloves inclusive. The utmost deoorum on entering was noticable, and loud voices outside here beoame silent. The principal men took positions on the platform, while the committee were seated at a table furnished with books and writing materials on the floor,, the appearance inside the rails oonveji"g quite the idea of a mimic parliament in session. When all were seated, the E, 'v. T. Koti was voted to the ohair to open the proceedings. After singing and devotional oxorcises, led by the Bev. Teoti Fita MuHi,

The Rev. Chairman asked Taiaroa to address the meeting. Horo Keri Taiaroa, M.H.8., said he had great pleasure in coming and meeting his friends once again at Kuiapoi. He had not muoh to say, but would cause to be laid before them the report of the Middle Island Native Commission, and hoped that they would all endeavor to judge in their own minds as to the beet plan to be followed thereto, and advise him how to sot in the General Atsombly in the prosecution of the Middle Island Native land claims. No doubt there were other matters which they would like to have diseusßed during the meeting, and now would be a good time to do so. If there were any individuals who required anything dono for the welfare of the people, ho hoped they would apeak about it, in order that he might carry their wants to Parliament.

Honi TTru moved, Ihaia Tainui seconded—- " That Taitaha, of Oiago, might be chairman of the meeting," but he declined. Tcoti Pita Mutu moved, Pohipi Tehua aeconded—" That Tare Wi Tehoika act as chairman of the mooting now to be held," which proposition was agreed to. Teoti Pita Mutu moved a vote of thanks to Tainroa for his address, whioh was seconded by Ihaia Tainui. Heni Paratero df sired the whole of tho roport of the Middle Island Commissioners read.

Honaro Temnire was elected secretary. It was decided that tho meetings of the session take plie? d«.ily from 9 till 12 a.m., 2 till 5 p.m., and at 7 p.m. Taiaroa paid before other bnsineas was gone on with, if it was the pleasure of the meeting that the report shonld be read he had a copy wri'ton in Maori for that purpose, as well as tho report in English. It was reeolved that the report bo tfsen read, tho greatest interest being manifested by the people present in the various remarks, opinions, or recommendations, of the Commission.

The following is a brief outline of the report of the Royal Commissioners, Messrs T. H. Smith and F. B. Nairn, who were appointed on Friday 15:h, 1879, and presented their r-port on January 3lßt, 1881, stating that within the two years they had investigated and tfiken a mass of valuable evidenoe. In reference to tho Otahou and Ngaitahu blocks they were of opinion that the transactions with the Maoris for the cession of their hinds made by Messrs Byrrondfl, Kemp, and Mantell must be regarded as pledging the Crown in the oase of the former block by

stipulation and in the Ngaitahu by implication. The Ngaitahu deed expressly said that tho " greater portion " was given up and not apparently the whole of the land, a portion being reserved for the Natives. Mr Mantel], in a statement whioh he had mado asserting that "in making these purchases it was clearly intended that nominally one-tenth, but virtually one-eleventh, was to be reserved for t*ie Natives." The promises made Jto the Natives ceded by deeds and agreements must b>! hold to amount to a pledge that the lands thorein would be so dealt with that the Pakeha and Maori would share with suoh advantages to the latter that, in comparison with future advantages the money payment was but a trifling part of the consideration. As shown by the burden of various petitions whioh had been made to Parliament by the Natives interested, it was perfeotly dear that the sellers did not understand that they were parting with the whole of their interest in their land. The promises, if they moant anything, must be oonstrued to mean that an intoreat was rcsorved for them It could not be supposed that the promises of hospitals and sohool were intended to be carried out forthwith, but it was understood they were to be fulfilled in future. The result of the enquiries of the commission went so far to show promises were made which involved a reservation for the benefit of the Native settlers of a large and permanent interest in the |!ands ceded, whioh would be faiily and properly represented by one aore reserved for every ten acres sold to European settlers. No such reservation had been oarried out however ; had it been it might be assumed that a fund would have been formed for the schools and hospitals, and other provision made for the welfare of the Natives. To estimate tie damage sustained by the Natives through failure during so long a period to fnlfil the promises by which they say they were induced to put their land into the hands of the pakeha, was a task beyond the powers of the commission. Full amends for failure or negleot in the past could not be made by assessing damages. Bestitution might be made, a trust aooepted might be acknowledged and more faithfully administered in the future. They proposed a plan whioh they thought would meet the requirements of justioe and the obligations existing as to the treaties made with the Ngaitahu for the surrender of the land in these blooks—viz, opening an aocount between Government and the Ngaitahu, on one side of which should be entered the eleventh part of the prooeeds of the laud sold, and on the other side Ist, the present value of reserves; 2nd, the total expenditure for the benefit of the Ngaitahu, tho balanoe to be regarded as a funded debt, a fair interest on whioh should be allowed and applied to the general purpose of ameliorating the condition of tie Natives, supplying medioal aid, establishing and supporting schools, purchases of land where the reserves were not sufficient, and lastly, in giving pensions or annuities in certain cases, and in providing for the infirm and destitute, and lastly, in carrying out the promise of Atawhai, or kindly care. The report then treated of the information gained of the Akaroa and Murihiku blooks. To the report was attached minutes of proceedings, correspondence, plans and other papers.

A committee of management was appointed, and after short remarks from Hone Paratere and others expressive of satiafaotion with the report, the meeting adjourned till 6 p.m. to diaouss it more fully.