UNITY BETWEEN THE NATIVE MINISTER AND KINGITES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4949, 1 February 1877, Page 2

UNITY BETWEEN THE NATIVE MINISTER AND KINGITES.

(per TRE93 AGENCY.) Alexandra, Wednesday. The Hon. the Native Minister; accompanied by Colonel Lyon, Major Te Wheoro, and Mr. Bush as interpreter, proceeded yesterday to Kaipaha, at the invitation of Manuhiri. i The party were afterwards joined by Mr. Mackay and Major Mair. The Native Minister was called on in Mr. Turner’s house, by Te Manuhiri, but very Tittle conversation of any importance to?k place, the interview apparently; being purely a formal ceremonial and introductory. The chiefs Manuhiri, Takerei To Rau, Takewaru, Waihou, Howatu, Wiremu Witene, Te Tukl, and others, Were present, and the Potatau family were well represented. The European party left Kaipaha about 4.80. The chiefs Takerei To Ran and Te Tuhi (the King’s brother-in-law), Honani Waihou, and others, shortly afterwards came into Alexandra, and remained _ for -the night. This morning they 1 interviewed the Native Minister In the large room at Einnis’s Hotel. The Europeans present were Colonel Lyon, Mr. Mackay, Major Mair, aiud Mr. Bush. Te Wheoro also attended on the Government side. The chiefs were Takerei Te Ran, Te Tnki. Honana Waihou, and the! Rev.

B. Barton. The Native Minister said he was glad to see them at Alexandra, and hoped that tliey would freely express their views on all. matters affecting their interests. Taksrei Te Bauthen handed inadocument which purported to be a report of the result of the interview with, the late Sir Donald McLean in which it had been promised that Tawhaio should administer the affairs of his own district. The Hon. Dr. Pollen said any promise which it could be distinctly proved had been made by Sir Donald McLean would be carried out by the Governmentbut .he thought the proper , .way to proceed was to ascertain, firstly, if the natives present' were willing to act in-concert with the Government in maintaining peace And upholding the law. Secondly, if such was the-desire, then a district might be set aside for Tawhaio and his people, witbin which he could administer affairs of his people, subject -to the law. The first proposal was approved of, the second was not objected to’, but the chiefs present said it required further consideration, A question was then asked,. “ How about the Waikato lands; we cannot well arrange anything until that is finally disposed of.” The Hon. Dr. Pollen said, “It is of no use alluding to Waikato. The lands inside it are absolutely gone, and even if the Government desired to return them to the natives, they could not do so, as they have passed into the hands of Europeans.” If Tawhaio consented to the first And second proposals, and then asked for a piece of land within Waikato, it would be given to him, After some considerable discussion, it was suggested by Te Tuki that the direction of land; acquired by 1 * conquest should be left!in abeyance. ' Certains' lands had been handed over to Potatau, t and it was not' right for natives or Europeans to deal" with them after the ■ cession to Potatau. The Hon. Dr. Pollen recited the natives who had' handed them to Potatau, and said they had since altered their minds and disposed of the lands to the Government and to private persons.' All he and the law court require was that the rightful owners of the lands were the people ;to deal, with them. As to Tawhaio,' ho could do as he pleased with his own lands as to selling or leasing, or with the lands of the tribes within his own district,; which also wished to retain their property in their own hands. The Government wished to protect every man in the disposal of his own property. • Where lands had been passed through' ffie~ Native Lands Court and the title;- fajrly obtained, the ■ Government had no ’ right to interfere either for -or against the sale or lease by the grantees unless it could he proved that th,e title was obtained by. fraud. One case had been brought under the. notice of the Government in which it was believed the grant had been improperly obtained, and the Attorney-General was. taking 'steps in the , Supreme Court to cancel the title by the process known as scire fa das. Questions were asked about roads and other T public works within native districts. The Native Minister said he did not recognise the 'right-of- rTawhaio or anyone to interfere where the native owners were willing that a road or other public works should be made, and in cases where the title was vested in Europeans ..the! Drown had the right to carry on any public works, and not a native ought to interfere. This .then caused some . discussion. -as to the stoppage on the Taupo-road. Dr. Pollen said the land was granted as far,’as Huihqikaka, and therefore he would' make the road to that point. The chiefs present. suggested that the making of the line of road beyond the place on purely native land should stand over nntil they come to submit the first proposals to Tawhaio, This, was agreed on both sides. The-survey of Mrs. Morgan’s laud was then brought forward. Dr. Pollen pointed out that;the land was within the confiscated boundary, and had been granted to Mrs. Morgan, a half-caste, and one of the Ngatiaikairo tribe, and her occupation of it would not be allowed to be interfered with.. He therefore hoped that as they were willing to entertain the large question which had been that day placed before them, they would not interfere further about' the"’Tauporoad, or Mrs. Morgan’s land, or it would have the effect, of preventing a peaceful and right solution of the present difficulty.: It was then agreed that the Hon. Dr. Pollen should he furnished with'a report as to Tawhaio and Manuhiri’s views, and should-be asked-to-retura to Alexahdra to discuss them.--

The whole business was introduced in a very courteous and friendly spirit on both sides, the chiefs at the conclusion testifying, their approval of the views enunciated by Dr. Pollen, and they would as soon as possible submit them to Tawhaio and the other chiefs. •. 1