THE NATIVE LAND SALES BILL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4816, 29 August 1876, Page 3

THE NATIVE LAND SALES BILL.

A deputation of natives waited upon the Hon. Sir Donald McLean, Native Minister, yesterday, in reference to the Native Lands Sale Bill now before Parliament. The following letter had on Saturday been sent to the Native Minister : Poneke, Akuhata 27, 1876. Ekoro, Tenakob,— He tono atu tenoi na matou kia whakaa turia mai ekoe tetalii haora hoi kitenga mo matou i a koo. Ko nga take i hiahia ai matou kia kite 1 a koe koia enei:—Kua rongo etahi kua kite etahi, o matou nga tangata e man ake nei nga ingoa i te Pire wlienua Maori hore a te kawanatanga kna whakaarohia e matou nga kupu o tau Pire no konei matou i hiahia kite tu i to aroaro kia whakamara matia mai e koe kia matou nga utinga katoa o teuei Pire kia mana tenei i a koe. Te Kkepa Eanoihiwinui, Me etahi atu. Ki a ta Tanara Makarini, Minita mo te Taha Maori. [translation.] ■Wellington, August 27, 1876. This is an application to you to name some hour that may suit your convenience to interview us. AVe have the following reasons tor desiring this meeting;— Some of ns have heard and somo_ of us have seen, whose names are appended to this application, the new Bill proposed by the Government as applying to native lands. AVe have put our minds to the consideration of that Bill, and it is by reason of its contents that we desire to stand in your presence in order that you may have the opportunity of explaining to ns the objects of this Bill. Consent to this request. Te Keepa Eanoiuiav in nr. And others. To Donald McLean, Native Minister.

The meeting was desired by the natives to take place at 2 p.m. yesterday, but it was deferred until about an hour later, with the following result: — Major Kemp, who was at the head of-the deputation, said as follows: Eriend McLean, we, the chiefs of the Ngatikahungunu, Ngatiraukawa, Ngatitoa, and Ngatiapa, see you with the object of obtaining information as to the meaning of the Bill submitted by you to the House of Parliament relative to native lands. We who are the chiefs, and come to you as persons in authority, say this positively to you—do not press this matter, do not let this be law, as we see no possible benefit likely to accrue to us from this Bill.

Sir Donald McLean ; In my opinion this Bill is a good thing for you. Wi Pakata :It is not a good Bill. Let it drop through. Do not let it be introduced into Parliament.

To which Sir Donald McLean said : What you say is good; but I must consult my colleagues to-morrow about this matter, when I will tell you what my final decision is. The meeting then adjourned till to-day.