MEETING AT PUKETAPAPA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume V, Issue 9, 30 April 1858, Page 1

MEETING AT PUKETAPAPA.

On Thursday the 26th March the natives of Mangere, Puketapapa, Pukaki, Ihumatao, Papahinu, Orakei, with others from the Thames and Waikato, assembled at Puketapapa, to the number of from 600 to 700, where a plentiful supply of Maori food was provided for them. In addition to which the following Pakeba food was purchased for the occasion, 3,600 loaves (21b.), 4 ex, 1 pig. 9 bags sngar, with a plentiful supply of tea and butter. Bread and cheese, sweet biscuits and tea were also provided specially for Pakeha guests. The cost of the various Pakeha food amounted to 107/. The viands were spread upon temporary tables constructed for the occasion and placed in a shed 440 yards long. Notice bad been previously given by the Native Teacher at Puketapapa that the proceedings of the meeting would be opened with prayer and a collection for Church purposes. This arrangement was carried out, and 231 5s Id collected. This sum, was afterwards divided thus; ill. towards the

erection of a Church at Mangere, and 12/. -5s id for one at Pukaki, The chief object of this meeting was to decide whether that portion of the Ahiwaru tribe now residing at Puketapapa should return to Waikato from whence they originally came, or be permanently located on the land they now t>ccnpy. ~ Koroniria Tokuwaba of the Ahiwaru opened the subject thus:—Welcome, welcome, my parents, welcome, my brothers, come and see the breaking up of my canoe. After him several of bis friends spoke, but Paora Tubaere, of the Ngatiwbatua, Ihaka Takaanini, and*Hobepa Olene, with the litter of whom was the " Mana"of the land, proved too strong for them. These advocated their slaying, and after occupying the greater part of the second day of the meeting in discussing the question the following document was drawn up. Puketapapa, March 26th, 1858. Hobepa has consented to make over to Te Ahiwaru the land called Puketapapa, to be d permanent possession for themselves and their children after them, for ever: it has also been assented to by the Runanga of the Ahiwaiu, that this land shall be given as a permanent possession. ' his (Signed) HohepaOtene X mark, bis Erueti Hihgawai X _ mark. Witnesses R. Burrows, Tamati Ngadora, and 21 others. The people living at Papabinu, who had l>een residing at that place with the sanction of Mobi Te Abi-a-te-ngu and others embraced the opportunity which then offered to obtain a similar document, and the following was accordingly drawn up and signed. Puketapapa, March 26, 4858. We, lhaka Takaanini, Mobi Te Ahi-a-te-ngu, Hone Te Muhu, Peipene Te Tihi and the whole tribe of the Akitai convey to the Ngatitamaoho, Ngatibinewai and Ngatihinemutu tribes that Jand called Papabinu, lobe a permanent possession for themselves and their children for ever. bis (Signed) Ibaka Takaanini X mark. Mohi

bis Poors Kind X mark. And 8 others. Witnesses— R. Burrows Hohepa Otene And 8 others. 0.1 the third day of the meeting various questions relating exclusively to their own affairs were discussed, but the final disposal of these was Felt for a large meeting which is expected to lake place shortly at Ngaruawahia on the Waikato.