Interview of the chiefs Te Tawa, Patuone, and others with his Excellency Governor Wynyard.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 7, 1 September 1855, Page 29

Interview of the chiefs Te Tawa, Patuone, and others with his Excellency Governor Wynyard.

On the 29th of December, 1854, the chiefs Te Tawa, Te Kawau, Patuone, and others, with about a hundred followers, waited on the Officer administering the Government, for the purpose of condoling with his Excellency relative to the late fire which had threatened the destruction of the City of Auckland, and, as respects the melancholy events which recently transpired in the town and neighbourhood, two of the aborigines having been deprived of life; one by a blow from a European, and the other by the hands of his own countrymen. To say that the Native population is not excited to a degree hitherto unknown in this locality, owing to the matters referred to, would be a concealment of the truth ; at the same time, it is extremely gratifying te find, that very many leading chiefs are most anxious to give expression to their sympathetic feelings, and to assure the Government of their cordial co-operation and support. Te Kawau and his people have generally been the foremost in these demonstrations of loyalty and friendship; and again we find him first in the series of interviews which took place between the Officer administering the Government and the native people. Among the New Zealanders, it is customary when visiting a distinguished personage, under peculiar circumstances, to present a gift. Such gifts are indicative of great deference to the parties to whom they are presented, and they are intended to cement an union between the donors and the recipients, alike honourable and approved. On this occasion, therefore, the chiefs in question w«re anxious to manifest their regard in something more than words, accordingly, fortythree baskets of new potatoes the first fruits of the season—were deposited near the vestibule of the Government office. The natives arranged themselves on a grass knoll, and when his Excellency approached, they rose to greet him, the chiefs extending their hands. After the usual compliments were exchanged, it was agreed that the interview should take place on the lawn at the Council Chamber. A time having been fixed, the natives proceeded thither to await his Excellency's convenience, who shortly after presented himself, and was accosted by the chief Te Kawau as follows : " O Governor, this is a time of darkness to you and me : you may, however, rely upon my faithful adherence to yourself and to the Europeans. " I heard of the fire when far distant from the town, and sorrow moved me to come hither to see you and Mr. Grabame, for whose loss I feel very sad.

"On my arrival here, 1 find that another calamity has befallen us; a native has been killed by ono of your people, O Governor. I find too, that the path which leads to my own settlement has been defiled with blood, for a Maori has murdered one of his countrymen on the road side. I " I do not know what the real sentiments of the tribes are respecting these sad things, but to prevent occurrences of a similar nature I think you should order all the natives who are living in this town and neighbourhood, to remove to their Maori villages "The previous Governors whom the Queen sent to these Islands, are acquainted with my thoughts: and from you, O Governor, my sentiments heretofore have not been hid. I wish to assure you of my continued desire to cultivate peaceful relations with the Government, and to say that, if evil arises in the land, I will seek your counsel, and be guided by it" The second chief that addressed the Governor was Patuone, brother of the celebrated Tamati Waka Nene;—a man who has befriended the Europeans in the northern portions of New Zealand for the last thirty years, and who was mainly instrumental in saving the live 3 of the \ Wesleyan Missionaries at Whangaroa, when they! were driven from their stations by the indomitable warrior Hongi. Patuone said:— "Previous to the departure of Sir George Grey to England, he said to me:—'Patuone, you must guard the interests of the Europeans, and let me hear good tidings concerning you all when I am in my own land.' " " O Governor, hearken—There have been no complaints of any consequence against the natives since Governor Grey left, but there are complaints against the Europeans ; for one of our people has been killed in this town. Yes, a great fish has been laid prostrate, and its flesh laid bare.* " This is a great evil, and in this evil I am personally concerned, for my interests are identified with yours, 0 Governor, and with those of the settlers. If the Europeans suffer, I must be a partaker of that suffering, for no evil can befall any of you that will not give pain to my heart. " The Maori people consider that he who sheds the blood of another should forfeit his own life j and they are impatient to see this accomplished in the present instance. Your laws are different, however; the accused one has to undergo various trials, and until we know the result of these trials, it would be improper to say much to you. " For some time to come, I shall remain in Auckland, as I may be of service. This Ido of my own free will, and I shall avail myself of every fitting opportunity to speak to the chiefs,

so that the law of the land may be quietly submitted to." Hauraki Kaiarero, a chief of Kaipara, also spoke professing allegiance to the Crown, assuring the Governor of the peaceful disposition of the tribe he represented. His Excellency replied : •' I have be n a long time in New Zealand, and during my sojourn I have been often gladdened by the kindly assurances of the native •chiefs j but the present interview is especially grafying to my mind, for by it, I am led to feci that the natives are deeply interested in the welfare of this community. " In regard to the fire, I am happy to say that not only the troops under my command, but the citizens of Auckland, and many of your own countrymen laboured hard and long to extinguish the flames, and their indefatigable exertions, as you are aware, were crowned with success. " The other evils you mention give me great pain, and doubtless your own minds are much roubled also regarding these sad occurrences ; but permit me to remind you that the law rectifies all wrongs, and I trust that the native people will have the good sense to see this, and bow to its decision. " I have no power to prevent the natives residing in this city or its vicinity, consequently, I cannot accede to your wishes in that respect, all the subjects of the Queen being at liberty to choose their own homes; but I will do my utmost to prohibit the sale of intoxicating drinks, as it is owing to the indulgence of these drinks that the crimes you complain of have been brought about. : "You will return to your own settlements, carrying with you my good wishes, and those of your respected friend Mr. Grahame; and be assured that while you act thus disinterestedly, you will secure the approbation and encouragement of all right-minded men." When his Excellency had concluded, there was a general murmur of applausej and the natives took their departure evidently well pleased. C. 0. Davis, Interpreter.

* This refers to the ChieftainshiD of the deceased native, and the unprovoked attack upon him.