VISIT OF SIR DONALD McLEAN TO WHAKATANE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4377, 31 March 1875, Page 2

VISIT OF SIR DONALD McLEAN TO WHAKATANE.

(By the special correspondent of the Bay of Plenty Times, March 13.) The Inina- arrived off "Whakatane shortly before daylight on Sunday morning. Boats were lowered as goon as it was sufficiently light to guide the way through the rocks, and the large party of Ngaiterangi who accompanied Sir Donald were safely landed. The day being Sunday, the resident natives intimated to their Maori visitors that they would not give them a formal reception till Monday morning. They consequently remained where they were, and were plentifully supplied with food from the Maori village close by. Early on Monday morning, the Bth inst., the tide being favorable, Captain Fairchild took the Luna into the river. The natives immediately sent a me-sage to the Native Minister not to land until they had completed their arrangements for his reception, of which he would be informed. Accordingly, a little after 1 o'clock p.m. a letter was received saying they were ready. Sir Donald and the officers accompanying him at once went on shore, landing just opposite the “kainga.” He was received by Te Hata, the principal chief of Te Kaha, and by him conducted through the intricate windings of the Maori pa to the large new house, named “ Matatua," after the canoe which, according to Maori tradition, brought to New Zealand the ancestors of the East Coast Ngatiawa tribe, the different sections of which occupy the whole coast line from Tauranga to Cape Kunaway (except Maketu), and embrace the whole of the TJrewera tribe in the interior. The Native Minister was welcomed in truly Maori style, with all the accompanying demonstrations. There were about 700 natives on the ground. The chiefs who were present and took part in the proceedings were as follows: Of Ngatiawa (proper)—Apanui, his son Wepiha, Te Keeps, Toihau, Tiopira, Hangi Tukehu, Hori Kawakura; of Ngatipukeko—Te Meihana, Manuera, Te Mauohoaka, Matiu; of Whakatohea Hira Te Popo, Tiwai, and Awanui; of Ngaitawarere, &c. —Te Hata; of Ngaiterangi —Hori Tupaea, Enoka, Hamiora Tu, Hori Ngatai, Hohepa, Tareha, Hone Makarauri, Te ivuka, Kanapia, Wi Parerit-; of the Urewera Te Whenuauui, Kereru, Te Makarini, Ahikaiata, Tamaikowha, Hapurona, Kohi, Hetarakas Te Warn. There were several other chiefs of less note “ too numerous to mention.” The meeting on this occasion was one of ceremony at the opening of the large house “ Matatua,” and the kindly speeches must have been very gratifying to the Native Minister, the most important of which were delivered by Wepiha Apanui, Hira Te Popo, of the Whakatohea, and Te Hata, of Kaukokore. Wepiha, after the usual set speech of welcome, said that it appeared that a report had been set afloat by some industrious mischiefmakers to the effect that the house in which Sir Donald then sat was intended for bad, political, and insurrectionary purposes. (This refers to an old Maori custom of building carved houses, at the opening of which great questions, especially of war on neighboring tribes, were discussed and plans determined upon). He said such was very far from being the case, and that the reports emanated from tribes who were jealous of the prestige of thenancestors, which his father Apanui was determined to restore. These jealous people had gone so far as to say sneeringly tjiat they could not build a house such as Matatua, and that if they were capable of it neither the Native Minister nor any of the surrounding tribes would be present at the opening ceremony. These sneering remarks were sufficiently answered this day—“ There stands the house Matatua, here are representatives of all the descendants of Awa from Tauranga to Cape Kunaway, and here is Sir Donald McLean. I repeat again what I said before —this house was never designed for a bad purpose, but for good, and that good will result to the tribe. The days of evil and folly are past, and we anticipate nothing but good in the future.” Sir Donald McLean, in reply, expressed his gratification at meeting so many of the sections of Awa in one place, and said : “ Apanui has carried his long talked-of design into effect • he has built this large house in his old age, and has left a handsome work whereby he will be remembered when he is gone from- amongst you. The intention in its erection, as explained by you, is good, but your intentions have been misunderstood by some tribes, and it has been said by them that this house was intended for evil purposes. For instance, when I was at the North the other day, the chiefs of Ngapuhi told me that they had received imitations from you to be present at this day’s ceremony but there was one expression in your letter

which made them hesitate and eventually decline your invitation —it was to this effect . that the ‘ house was intended as a place in which to discuss and devise matters intimately connected with the welfare of this island. Now, they said, ‘ this is the old story ; this is the kind of invitation we received from the southern tribes in years gone by, and we know how these discussions and devices ended—not in good, but in irreparable mischief to the island !’ That is why I say that I know of my own knowledge that your invitation was misunderstood. But you have explained to me that it is with no evil design this house has been erected. I congratulate old' Apanui in his declining years on its completion, and hope that it is as you say,’ the commencement of a better state of things.” Te Hata then, on behalf of the hapns he represented, welcomed Sir Donald McLean. He said that he was intimately connected with the erection of the house, and had assisted in the operations. He would most distinctly and emphatically deny that there was any other than a good intention in having it built; were it'otherwise, he would not have assisted. He knew quite well that a great many the reports were intended to humble the Ngatiawa and keep them down ; they persevered, and “ Matatua” was the result.

Hira Te Popo then made a speech of welcome, and added : I--have heard what you have stated respecting the opinion entertained by Ngapuhi regarding that house which now overshadows you. What ground of contention have the tribes on the East Coast with you now ! None—none—none whatever. Parent of the friendless and the rphans, listen to me ! I tell you most, emphatically that this house was never undertaken for any evil purposes—none whatever ; even now as I speak the hills of my ancestors answer back again “none whatever.” (This allusion was to the echo awakened by the speaker’s voice from the precipitous hills of Whakataue immediately in the rear of the large house just erected.) From whence is •vil to come ? From below—where ? Is it to come from above ? Where ? (Meaning what pretext.) • The Urewera, in the course of their speeches of welcome, alluded to the confiscated boundary line, and their desire to have it modified so as not to include so much of the IJrewera territory, or territory claimed by them. Although it had Been previously arranged that all business matter should be discussed on the following day, Sir Donald McLean thought fit to give them at once a decided expression of his opinion, believing that it would have a very salutary effect on the following day’s korero with the IJrewera. He said : Chiefs of the Urewera, you have spoken of confiscated land, and affect to be at a loss to know why a slice of your land should be taken from you. It was through your own unwarrantable action, Te Whenuanui that your land was confiscated—you had no pretext for taking arms against the pakeha, they never interfered with you in your country ; but there was hardly a single disturbance between the two races that you did not take part in. Yo.u were at Waikato, at Te Wairoa; at the different fights in the Bay of Plenty. Can.you then greatly complain of your laud being confiscated. It was done by the Legislature, and after due warning had been given to the natives. It is in accordance with your own customs. You thought that because the Government did not take up arms at once and invade your country, upon the impregnability of which you so much relied, that therefore your conduct would be overlooked. I warned Paerau when I saw him at Napier, that his country, difficult as it is, would be no protection ; but he would not heed me. The Government forebore as long. as it could, and at last had to send forces through and through your hills and forests, and the result is well known to you. That, however, is at an end ; we now meet face to face this day. It is well you should remember that the pakeha can do' anything he makes up his mind to ; be satisfied on that point.” The speeches having been made, the meeting concluded by the different sections of the Ngatiawa tribe challenging each other to a dance (haka) which, as our readers who know anything of Maori life may imagine, were responded to with alacrity. Those performed by the Ngaiterangi were most admired. Everythin" was conducted in the most orderly manner ; not a single drunken man was to be seen on the ground. Sir Donald McLean was invited to partake of some refreshment before returning to the Luna. Two tables were laid out in the new building in European style, and loaded with the good things of this life, to which ample justice was done. The guests were waited upon by Mrs. TV. H. Taipari, Mrs. Wepiha, and Apanui’s youngest daughter. On the morning of the 9th, as previously arranged, Sir Donald McLean landed and proceeded to the large house “Matatua” to receive the several sections of the Ngatiawa separately, an! listen to any subject they might think fit to bring before him for cou : sideratiou. , The first interview was accorded to the IJrewera. The chiefs previously named, with about sixty of their followers, were present. Eruti Tamaikowha was the first to speak. He said there were two or three questions they wished to bring before the Native Minister, and one of the principal as affecting the peace of the Urewera country, was the operations of the land purchasers within their boundaries. They complained that pakehas went into their district and dealt with single individuals, and paid money to them for lands which were the common property of the hapu. That the Urewera were determined to stop such proceedings amongst themselves as likely to cause internal dissensions. They did not, by this, wish the Government to believe that they would always oppose the leasing of the lands to the Government or other Europeans, but they wished to have time for consideration. Kereou spoke in the same strain, and added that they were only now recovering from the effects of war and a long isolation from the pakeha; they wished to look round them and have time to mature plans for the leasing of their lands, a proceeding before unknown amongst the Urewera. They also wanted to select their own tenants, and not confine thenoperations to the agents of the Government alone But this was in the future ; m the meantime they wished to close their district against all land dealings, as they were sure to cause strife amongst themselves. Paora Kingi said he wished to see the lands within the Urewera houndaiy surveyed, and the titles of the owners individualised, so that each individual might do as he pleased with McLean replied that a great deal that had fallen from the speakers was perfectly reasonable.. It was well known that the Urewera claims were undefined, and that blocks of land belonged to communities and not to individuals ; therefore it was not right that single individuals should receive money on lands 0 that were the property ofbapus It was advisable that as soon as it coiild be found to be practicable, the holdings of hapus should be defined, so that each hapu might do as it pleased with its own property; hut it would be very wrong to coerce hapns and prevent them from doing as they with their own If it arose from a fear that all their laud wouid be disposed of and nothing left for their children and for thdir own maintenance, restrictions could he placed on the alienations, or reserves could be made with which no one could interfere. Mr. Preece, who was present, had been desired to explain all the workin,,, of our laws to them, so that if _ they desired information they could obtain it from him. What Paora Kingi had said was mdte correct-it would be a great advantage to the people if their land was surveyed, and their titles settled; but the Urewera had it Ktelv had any communication with EuropelL and it was hardly likely that they wotdd conform at once to the more advanced . ‘ the natives who lived on the coast. Itmwer was intended that such things should be the cause of creating disturbances amongst them With regard to the leasing of lands to nakehas, that was a matter of their he wished them to understand that wbd anv difference arise therefrom, they •*° U H blame the Government. All “ h °m"eracnts they made with the Government Sff their lands would he made through ME Preece. The Native Minister promised

that they should have the substance of what he had just told them, in writing, lest there should be any future misunderstanding, The next question was the confiscated lands. The Urewera wanted the line altered so as not to take away so much of their own land. Some of the speakers wished to make it appear that the line had been altered two or three times. Mr. Clarke here explained that the boundary had never been altered since it was first laid down. Sir Donald McLean explained that the confiscated boundary could not be altered. As he had told them the day before, confiscation was caused by their own conduct, after due warning had been given. He, had himself told Paerau, that if the Urewera still persisted in supporting other tribes against the Government Waikaremoana would be occupied, and their territory, rough as it was, invaded. But the Urewera not appreciating the power and firmness of purpose of the pakeha, had disregarded the frequent warnings they had received, and had lost some of their land ; they, of all people, had no cause to complain. He could not alter the boundary line. Prom what followed, it was quite clear that they fully recognised and admitted our right to all land up to the line which fortunately has been cut and defined on the ground. One or two individuals asked to have some small sections given them within our boundary, which the Native Minister, on good grounds being shown for the request, agreed should be done. Several chiefs, in conclusion, said what had been said in reply was satisfactory. Hapurona Kohi and some of the chiefs of Ahikereru expressed a wish that a road should be made to that place. Some of the IJrewera raised a further objection. The Native Minister explained, that he was willing to assist them in making roads to their settlements, each hapu to carry the work through their respective localities, so that they might be able to bring their produce to the coast. . - This closed the conference with the Urewera. Next in turn came the Whakatohea. Te Hira, on their behalf, requested that the confiscated line might be defined through their district, as it had never been surveyed. Sir Donald McLean gave a promise that this should be done as soon as possible. After a discursive conversation, they took their departure, and their place was occupied by the Ngatiawa and Ngatipukeko. No large questions were discussed, and the whole time was taken up in settling a few outstanding claims they had against the Government for supplies given to our military expeditions during the late war. This terminated the business of the day. A short description of the house referred to may be interesting. MATATUA HOUSE. The building of this house has occupied the Ngatiawa tribe for years, Apanui, the old chief of Whakatane, having begun the carving over five years ago, assisted. to a very great extent by skilled carvers and decorators from other tribes. The building is 70ft. long by 33ft. wide, and has a; porch or verandah some 13ft. wide. The interior is richly carved and decorated with platted reeds, presenting the rich appearance of tapestry. Around the sides are figures, splendidly carved and decorated, representing the chiefs of a past age; the beams, rafters, &c., are all carved and ornamented, and present a very rich coup d'ceil. The floor is covered with magnificently worked matting, and in the evening the building is lighted by a large five-burner chandelier, besides sundry large reflecting lamps along the walls. The porch, which alone has employed about a dozen workmen for the last two weeks, is very handsomely carved. .Effigies of the leading living chiefs (male and female) are on each side of the doorway and at each gable end. The devices of . these figures cannot be said to be likenesses, or even attempted likenesses ; indeed, Maori art does not seem to tend in that direction, but probably the tattoo marks are faithful copies of the several originals as far as can be ascertained by tradition. On Tuesday afternoon, the- children attending the Native School presented an address of welcome to Sir Donald, and expressing a desire to be taught some of the most useful European trades, such as shoemakers’, saddlers’, blacksmiths’, &c. In the evening a ball was held in the flax mill, and was largely attended ; among those present we noticed Mr. William Kelly, M.H.R., Major Goring, Captain Preece, and several gentlemen from the Luna and visitors from Opotiki.