The first interview of the Native Chiefs with Governor Browne.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 7, 1 September 1855, Page 11

The first interview of the Native Chiefs with Governor Browne.

On Saturday, September 8, His Excellency the Governor held a conferenee with the Native Chiefs, at which Col. Wynyard, Capt Steward Private Secretary, Mr. McLean, and the following chiefs were- present, Tamati Waka Nene, Patuone r Wiremu Waka Turau, te Hapuku, Taraia, Paratene Puhata, Ahipene, and others. His Excellency,, in addressing the Natives through Mr. McLean, spoke to them in, the terms of the following address. "My friends, the Chiefs and tribes of New Zealand, Saluting you* Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint me to be the Governor of these Islands. Tb is-therefore i& my address to-you. I shall use the authority which Her Majesty has deputed to me, whenever it may be necessary for the advancement of religion, the maintenance of peace, and thfr increase of knowledge It. is my duty to protect all Her Majesty's subjects in these Islands j- to see that justice is admisistered equally and impartially to the rich and to the poor, to the Europeans and to the Natives; and to secure to every man, without distinction, the enjoyment of his rights; and 1 will perform that duty firmly. I shall, at all times, expect the friendly aid and co-operation of the- chiefs, to enable me to earry out &uch measures as may promote the welfare of themselves and their tribes. My frie :ds, continue to be good and faithful subjects of Her Majesty the Queen, and 1 will be to you a father and. a friend; ; ever ready to liften. to your complaints, and always willing U comply with your requests, and redress your grievances, when, it is in my power to do so. After a short speech by Wiromu Maihi, in reference to the extent of interference by the Governor in Native quarrels, Taraia remarked that it was not necessary His Excellency should be troubled with such questions; or that there should be any interference by the Governor, in cases- where the disputes were confined entirely to the Natives. Tamati Waka Nene then spoke,—"Friend, the Governor, the Natives do not wish any different laws or customs in these Islands to those of the Queen. This Island is now under the name and authority of the Queen, and we wish it to continue under her laws. These were my words to the first Governor, and they continue unchanged up to the present time." Eruera Patuone said, his words and sentiments were the same as those of Tamati Waka.

His Excellenoy in reply assured the Chiefs that it was hi 3 desire to see the laws impartially administered, and equal justice done both to the Europeans and to the Natives. Taraiasaid, —"I am much pleased with the Governor's words. I agree to what has been said by Tamati Waka. If the natives molest the Europeans, let them be punished for it ; I am qrite of opinion that this should be done. But, on the other hand, let the Europeans also be punished for any injury they might do to the Natives. However, it is not necessary that the Governor should interfere in Native quarrels, as they could settle those among themselves. It was good of the Governor to speak to them, and make his sentiments known." Paratene Puhata said, "Friend, the Governor, the only enemy I have to Bght with is the ground on which lam stamping : this is the only foe I have, so as to make it produce food for myself and the Europeans, that we may have an abundance of food for our wants. Many of the Chiefs of my tribe are not present, but Taraia and I can answer for all of them, that their chief occupation shall be to cultivate the land, and to sell that portion of the which is not required for home consumption. His Excellency said there was great wisdom in these remarks. Taraia concurred in what Puhata had said in reference to the cultivation of the soil. Ahipene, "I have nothing to say. My Chief, and the Chief of the Waikato, Te Wherowhero is not present. It is for him to speak for all of us. I can say, however, that he is friendly and well disposed, and that he and his tribe will be glad to hear the Governor's words. The Natives have derived many advantages from the Europeans, by the introduction of religion, and the prevention of war and perplexing quarrels. Te Hapuku, "All I have to say is tkat I agree to what the Governor has said. "We should all abide by his words. The sentiments of all the Governors have been good. Let this Governor then he the canoe in which both Europeans and Natives shall assist in rowing, in order that the Governor may be able to carry out his measures." An address was presented by the Rotorua natives in town to His Excellency, after which the meeting dispersed, the Chiefs expressing themselves much gratified with the interview.