THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 14, 20 September 1862, Page 12

THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH.

Friends, Chiefs of the Runanga,It gives me great pleasure to have been authorized by the Government to assemble you here this day. This is the first District Runanga convened in ibis District under the Jaw. Your duties are to frame rules and regulations for the benefit of-the people whose representatives you are, lhat we may all;live iu peace and good fellowship. Law is a necessity of mankind, without it. there would be nothing but strife, robbery, and murder. You will admit this if you com. pare ibe present time, and that of even 40 years since, when tribes were at constant war wilh each other, and the most dreadful crimes were committed. The object of Jaw is that justice should be done to every man We can only prosper under law because obedience induces peace, men go about their several avocations with security; and as no man should, Irpm the imperfections of our nature,, be.a, judge iu his own case, which was the custom amongst the Maories of old, tbejaw .provides certain Courts, forms, and officers for the adjudication of the law and countries show their civilization by iheir patience and obedience lo the edicts of the Courts, I have endeavoured for some years

lo prepare you for this day, and I am confix deni that you will fully appreciate the benefit which your great friend Sir George Grey has conferred upon you by enabling you lb'meet together according to law to take a share in the Government or the country, and I hope, wi'h God's will, lo live to see the day when, through the working of these Kiinangas, the New Zealariders will send their representatives to ihe General Assembly of (lie country, and take their places side by side with ibe Europeans in framing the laws for the whole country. I cannot too forcibly impress upon you ihe necessity of thoroughly and calmly discussing all questions which may come before you, as when assented to by the niajoritv, and approved by the Governor thev will become the lavs of the districi, and the Chiefs of the liutianga and Magisi rates will be bound to carry them out. We should, indeed, become ridiculous in the eyes of all men if we assemble and gravely discuss and pass regulations, and allow iheni to be set at nought 3ud disobeyed afterwards. Those who dissent from the opinions of the majority are jusiasmuch bound to obey the law passed as if ihe> bad assented to it. I shall cause to lie laid before yori the Gazette containing the Governor's Proclamation of the boundaries of iliis districi, but I do not think it would be wise at this time to pass any regulations confirming these boundaries, as 1 have been given lo understand that there is a sreat desire on the part of the Harawa of Hokianga 10 be included with those of this district, so that the entire tribe might form one Kunang.i. It wilt therefore be belter lo wait and see what changes time will make desirable. ' ' [ Tables will be laid before you of the different officers of the district; with their pay. It will be for you to suggest any alterations you may think proper. -Bearing iu mind thai the Government has been liberal iti providing salaries for a number : ,of officers, but that it will ultimaiely be Hie duty of the Kunaiiga 10 provide means for paying these officers. U has struck me (and I ask your opinion on this subject as I.have no authority forgiving my opiiiWnJl, °o'Y that ii wbull be very desirable to invlie the; Magistrates of the district to sit fit ibis Hauangai.' They are all men. of great Intelligence: arid influence/and I have a great tespect for theni. ' But whilst inyiiingiheui freely to discuss thei merits of the subject brought before, the Runanga, they cahnotbe allowed to vote. I Inve prepared 'some regulations with regard lo fencing, and for taking a census of

ibe people. This is most important, as it is impossible' for the Runanga to know wbai will really benefit the people unless'it is accurately: ascertained what are their numbers: and. condition. I shall also, propose for your consideration several other subjects of importance. . The sum or 49/. J 7s. bring fees and lines collected up to the 261b of February in the various Courts, has been placed at your disposal by the Government; you can apply it to any purpose which will be or benefit to the district. All subjects connected with laud, such as the sale to Government, divisions, boundaries. &c, will now pass through the Uunatiga. Several blocks have lately been sold to. Government. The surveys of three of these olocks have been completed and Mr. H.Kemp, the Land Purchase Commissioner, is now here awaiting your order to pay the Surcnase money to the sellers. I have, Vim Ir. Kemp's consent, resolved on this course in consequence of several claims which have been brought forward; one especially by Te Hira Ngaropo, who has written me a threatening and impertinent letter, preferring a claim to a portion of land sold by Tipene, which, after the most careful investigation, I cannot recognize, but wbi< b it will be your duly to decide upon. At this our first meeting, it will, I think, be belter tbal I should propose to you the subjects I have prepared for your notice, leaving it to members to give notice according lo the standing orders of any question they wish to bring before the Runanga. 1. once more beg to impress upon you the importance of the work before you, and urge upon you to set aside all persona! and private feeling, and lo discuss and consider all subjects patiently and freely, bearing in mind that you have the welfare of the people of the district in your, bands; and may the God of all wisdom guide and prosper you.