THE MEETING BETWEEN SIR GEORGE GREY AND WITAKO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 70, 30 October 1862, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE MEETING BETWEEN SIR GEORGE GREY AND WITAKO.

(from 1 lie IVcUhifjlon Independent, Oct. IG.) 'Die following account of the conversation which passed at this interview was furnished to us in the original by \\ i Tako himself, and (1 trough the kindness of a contributor, we are enabled to present our readers with a literal translation. On the Oth Oct., ISG2, Wi Tako and his native companions went to the Court House, where they saw* r.lr. \\ Into, who said the Governor wishes to see von Wi Inko. W i Tako accordingly went to Governor’s house, and the Governor asked him to speak. Wi Tako ; No, yon speak and I will listen. Governor : No, you speak.

is called the Parliament of the natives (Government Office.) G: I will not go (hero. W. T. : I wish my parly to hear what is said. G.: Ido not consent; yon must come over to me. W. T.: I have come to see you. G.: Yes, consent to join mo in ray work. W. T.: I have come aud joined my love with yours. G.: My love was finished when I went to sec yon at Waikanae. W. T.: My love towards you is still unchanged. It exists as before. G.: Will you not return to me ? W. T. : What I desire is love and good will. G. : I am not willing that you should slay at Waikanae, but would rather that you should go to Ngamawahia, so that your place may be left open for my children. W. T.: I will not go to Ngamawahia. IJwvill not remain at Waikanae. G.: If you remain at Waikanae, I will place soldiers there, and in the adjacent districts. W. T.; It is good. The good, and the soldiers do come from the Governor. G.: What is the good of your treading upon the Queen ? IV. T.; This is not treading upon the Queen. G. : M hat is the good of this troublesome work ? W. T. ; There in a reason for it. G. : Say what is your reason ? W. T. : The people of this Island joined the Government when you were in England : your work was left to the English and Native Lauds Purchase Commissioners. Rawiri Waiaua was then killed, as the result of a land purchase. It was requested that 1 lie Europeans should join the Natives in that quarrel, but they did not consent. After this there was the quarrel of Ngatikahungunu, ITapukn against M oananni, also as the result of a purchase of land. G.; Is this the reason why you the people of this island, should work this troublesome work? IV. T.: There are many other reasons. G. : It is not good that such troublesome work should be carried on hero under my nose, rather go and work that work at Waikato. II . T.: 1 will not go ; I will remain at Waikanae. G. ; I will then send soldiers to Waikanae and the adjacent districts. IV. T.: It is good. G. : Why should you stay there and sot up your flag P Am lanoxto be Hogged by that thing P M . T.: That tiling is not meant as a whip for yon, but rather as a sign of separation between the lands ol Natives anil those of Europeans. G. : If 1 go to Taranaki to light, will you not also go / IV. T.: For which piece of land P G.: For Tataramaika. W. T.: If it is for (he Waitara the land about which peace was made the Maories will stand up and make war against yon, but I shall not go there and fight. G. : Will the people of this Island listen to you ? II . T. ; 1 cs ; (hey will listen to me if the King's work is what I think to be right, they will certainly join mo if (ho work is correct. G.; i see you are a foolish people, therefore 1 will carry on my good work. W . 1. : I es ; you know we are fools ; you are (lie 1 mowing race, but why do you not show your wisdom ? G. : Vos; tome that is rigid, go on. F rom whence is your knowledge, that you should come and address me in this manner! IV. T.; I have obtained my knowledge from yon. G.: II by yon should then answer me with what yon are indebted to me for. V. . T. : 1 treat you in a .similar manner to what you treat those that impart knowledge to you, and you did not adhere to them. The Governor replied in anger: it is not good, it is not good, you must cease talking and go. I, . T. : No ; wc must talk quietly, and judge of the conclusion by what is said. G.; lam not willing that you should remain there at Kmnutoto (I’ako's Town acre), you had better go away, and leave that place free to my children, as they arc in want of food. IV. T. : V. hat food do you require for vouv children P G. ; Do you receive money for laud which is protected by the Queen? M . T. : Thai was given to me in (he time of peace, when (here was no division, now vou are wishing to tako it back, the thought is with you. G. : Why are you so obstinate? 11. T. lam not. obstinate. lam fulfilling your request, you have shown your love : I will act towards you in the same manner in which yon have acted towards mo. G : That will do. IVo will cease our talk. You can go. VI. T. : Vos! farewell. lam going. r l his was the talk between Governor Grey and IVi Tako.