NATIVE MEETING IN THE WAIKATO.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4963, 17 February 1877, Page 2

NATIVE MEETING IN THE WAIKATO.

BY TELEGRAPH. (PER press agency.) Alexandra, Friday. Eewi, accompanied by Taonui, Tupotahi, and other Ngatimaniapoto chiefs, arrived here to meet the Hon. Native Minister yesterday morning, and await his arrival Shortly after the Hon. Dr. Pollen arrived, Kewi and his party came to Fincher’s Hotel, to see him.. After remaining about an hour, Eewi returned to Te Whenoa’s house, having arranged when the messenger was to be sent by him to fetch' Dr. Pollen, who proceeded to the appointed place, accompanied by Colonel Lyon, Major Mair, Mr. Bush,-and a few of the principal settlers of the district.

tlpen arrival Eewi said he supposed it was for him, as the person who invited Dr. Pollen, to open discussion, which he would do by welcoming him as the successor tg their friend McLean. Eewi continued : T have Heard you have said, you are placed to carry out the works that he has commenced, therefore lam here to meet and welcome you, in order thatwe may know each other and discuss matters that interest both you and I. I have a grievance to bring before you. It refers to a clandestine sale of land by certain persons who had no right to sell it. I do not think such proceedings correct. I have no complaints to make with reference to my lands that were included within the confiscation boundary. I only refer to those pieces that have been sold by persons outside that boundary. Dr. Pollen informed Eewi that the Government had discontinued purchasing fresh blocks of land. They would only conclude ne- • gotiations already commenced; after which the ’ Government would cease for the present. That : with reference to what Kewi had said respect- - ing his land which had been sold by stealth, ' he would recommend him, if such were really the case, to bring the matter into a court of law, which was the proper' place to redress grievances of this nature. Acts of violence, dr talking over them, would not settle them. If (said Dr. Pollen) you feel disposed to take ' advantage of English law the courts are open to you. V I will give you all the assistance that I can in redressing your wrongs. I, do so in , order to show you that this is the proper way ‘ to do these things.' The law is open to all. That can give you a title which Ho one can dispute. I have no desire but to promote peace, which is the best for both races. I would like to hear your desire hi these matters openly, then we can understand each other, ’ and assist each other in making arrangements which will benefit both races, which we cannot do unless we meet as friends:

; Rbwx replied : I do not see my way to go to the' courts at present. If the matters were satisfactorily settled it would be an easy matter. I wish peace maintained, and am prepared to assist you, as I was to assist bur friend who is now gone. Tengakau said : Why did not Government, agree to allow the Waitara to be taken into court before the war? If this had been permitted, what you say now now about appealing to the courts would be easy. , Dr. Pollen replied that the courts were open to all if they chose to appeal to them. The law was above the Queen or any other person. There is an old proverb which says, “No one so blind as those who won’t see.” Lest” you should - misunderstand, Waikato cannot be given back. lam a new man, and am willing to bury the past, in order that we may commence afresh. I call upon you to do the same. ' If you consent we will soon settle matters satisfactorily. . I am prepared to treat you fairly. After this'some of the Ngatihana present spoke about the land which Rewi 'alleged had! been sold wrongfully, asking him who it was that brought the subject forward. Rewi answered, “ I did.” A conversation ■ ensued amongst themselves, and Rewi asked permission to adjourn the discussion until to-morrow, which was agreed to, and the day's proceedings terminated. 1 . : Mr. Mackay arrived last evening, and had a two hours’ interview with Rewi at Major Te Wheoro’s house. We understand that Rewi informed Mr. Mackay that he would neither do nor sanction anything being done which would cause any breach of the peace. That he objected to murder or small acts of aggression, and if there - was to be fighting he would do it openly and on a large scale. ■ At - ten. o’clock this morning Dr. Pollen, accompanied by Col. Lyon, Capt. Mair, and Te Wheoro, and Messrs. Mackay and Bush, proceeded to Te Wheoro’s house.

' Eewi commenced on the : land question generally, and made pointed ■ allusion to the Ngaruako block, the dealing i with which he characterised as a very, wrong and improper proceeding. ■ '

Dr. Pollen said this matter was now in the hands of the ! Government, who were taking steps,to cancel the Crown .grant.. Eewi then said he had another request to make about the lands at Tokoro belonging to himself and others of Ngatiraukawa. These had been given up by him- to Potatau ; and the Queen natives,.who had left them to settle Otaki, were now returning to them and attempting to sell them to the Government. He wished this to be stopped. ; Dr. Pollen said: I have" no power to restrain natives who consider themselves to be the lawful owners of lands from selling them. I suggest that the best plan is to refer these questions to the’Native Lands Court, which will decide fairly between all the claimants.

Eewi : Do not hasten the action of "the Court. If anyone has anything to say about this land, let me arrange it outside. lam able tq do that. I fear that hasty action oh your part or mine may cause a misunderstanding, and prevent a peaceful settlement of affairs.

I Dr. Pollen : I wish all natives and Europeans to be protected in. their just rights; and in their lawful occupation 'of their lands. I deprecate natives wasting their landed estates by selling them for large sum? of money which they squander in drink or other foolishness, and derive no permanent benefit from the sale. I ,wish to give every man a' fair chance to protect his own interests ; and if I can do anything to forward your views ■in any land question, I will do so. All are liable to makemistakes through ignorance, as we are all mortal. If Ido wrong unintentionally, let me know it, and I will endeaVor to remedy it. I cannot, however, admit the rights of lawful owners being interfered with. I again suggest the Native Lands Court as the best machinery to deal with the question. Eewi : I propose that as soon as I have finished my wheat harvest wS - arrange the Ngatiraukawa land question finally. '•I, am a Ngatiraukawa on one side, ahd a Ngatimaniapoto on the other. I have a great interest in' that matter. We had better go to Taupo and have a meeting of all parties interested.. Then you can hear my. side of the case, and their? also, form your own opinion, and come 'to a proper understanding... This will be .better than a court ; and I have ’before proposed this course to Sir Donald McLean, who coincided with this view of mine. ’

Dr. Pollen : This question cannot stand over very long. The Ngatiraukawa, whether I rightly or wrongly, urge me constantly to arrange this matter, either by completing the purchase of the land for the Government, or by allowing them to negotiate with private Europeans, subject to the replacing of the . moneys advanced by Government on account. This must be decided with as little delay as possible.- ■ Eewi: I will hold the meeting at Taupo immediately I finish my wheat harvesting. Dr. Pollen : I agree to attend the meeting, and will do my best to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. Eewi ; That is arranged ; we will meet at Taupo. Hr. Mackay asked the boundaries of the land claimed by Bewi. Eewi explained them, and mentioned a' ■«. place called Te Tatua, near Taupo, among 1 others. . . ME Mackay said : I think Oruanui and Te Tatua have been dealt with for the Govern* ment. ’ - Eewt : Oruanui has been purchased and Te Tatua leased. Mr. Davies was the agent, and I found the resident natives had received £BO on account of_ rents. 1 took that money from them, and intimated in relation to a licensed

interpreter that he had better not come back to Te Tatna, or it would be ugly for his head, especially as he had been instrumental in fostering the election of Potatau as King. (Great . ; laughter here took place.) Eewi continued : I only mentioned this incidentally. There was nothing in the threat about his head. I only wanted to frighten him and make him desist from pulling down the King’s ‘ mana,’ which he had aided in putting up. I now come to another question. lam vexed at the natives from the King country coming into the European townships and stealing goods from the Settlers. The people should be punished. I suggest that when you capture any of them they should be locked up, and a messenger sent me, in order that their parents ox* friends should at ouce make a money restitution for the goods stolen. (The law; is to give four times the value of the articles stolen). I would prefer keeping them like that than sending them to gaol, which does them no good.' If Major M'air captured any thief, or .if any known thief of Ngatimaniapoto escaped, if he would let me know, I would have him captured and sent back. Just before I came to meet Dr. Pollen 1 had been discussiilg with Tawhiao and others as to the best mcxnuer of dealing with these delinquents, and 1 now suggest the method of punishing Dr! Pollen : In cases of larceny Europeans are imprisoned when convicted. With Maoris the laws are different, and allow the alternative of a heavy fine in default of imprisonment. Major Mair tells me, as a Resident Magistrate, that robberies have been numerous, and he found it necessary to resort to imprisonment as a punishment, in order to check these. The culprits will I fear be likely to continue their courses if they can get parents or relatives to pay fixxes for them. Rewi laughed, and said : I think it is probable too. I wish to stop these thieves, and hope that enforcing heavy fines will do so. Eewi then advanced, and shook hands with the Native Minister in a most cordial manner, said his present business was concluded and he would meet him again at Taupo. .The proceedings throughout were interpreted by Major Mair. This day’s meeting cannot be looked on otherwise than as being highly satisfactory. Eewi behaved in a most respectful manner throughout, and from his earnest and straightforward utterances gained the good opinion of all who were present. Te Ngakau took no part in the proceedings. Eewi and party left about 2 o’clock. The ■Native Minister left shortly after for Hamilton. Mr. Mackay remained about some land purchase business. We believe he has rendered considerable assistance to Government.