GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5005, 9 April 1877, Page 3

GREAT NATIVE MEETING.

BY TELEGRAPH. Taupo, March 24. The great native meeting between the Native Minister and Rewi Maniapoto (Manga) and the Queen and King natives of Taupo and Ngataraukawa tribes was concluded this day, with results which will take time to devolope, hut which must he deemed satisfactory as eliciting the intentions and views of the numerous and■ influential Ngataraukawa tribes regarding their attitude towards the King party and the opening up and development of the interior of the North Island. Yesterday the Native Minister met Manga at Poihipi’s kainga, and about five hundred natives were present. The greatest order and decorum prevailed. The Europeans present were—Hon. Dr. Pollen, Major and Captain Mair, Major Roberts, Dr. Bulwer, and Mr. Mitchell, while Manga was accompanied by Poetahi, Hitari Poerata, T« Hura, and a large number of adherents. The friendly chiefs Poihipi and Topia Turoa, Tamamutu,

Perenara, Kawiri, Arekatera, Menehira Te Ngaru, Butene Te Eei, Eoweti Paurini, and others were also present. The Native Minister opened proceedings by welcoming Manga, and stated that be was hero to carry out the promise made at Alexandra.

Manga then said: Listen carefully, assembled tribes, to my words. I am here to carry out the wishes of him who is now gone from us for ever, I mean Sir Donald McLean, who asked me to come here and help him to disperse the troubles which press heavily upon the inland tribes. Mine is not a new word. Taupo is mine from the days of Potatau, to whom it was given ; also Tongariro, our sacred mountain. The Europeans are intruders here. Let me control affairs within the King's boundary. The boundary extends from Waipa to Horohoro, Awa-a-te-Atua, and Taupo and Tongariro. Let the mana of these lands rest with me until my heart is clear as to the wishes of the Government. My word is fulfilled, let the Government fulfil theirs also. The other side of the boundary I have mentioned was given to Wiremu Tamihaua. It has all now passed away from us into the hands of Europeans. None of mine has gone, nor have my hands been soiled with gold.

Potene, of Ngataraukawa, then said ; Hearken oh Manga, your boundary divides our land. We do not acknowledge it. Let the King's mana rest where it may on the western side of the Waikato River.

Menehira (Raukawa chief) said: Our tribe emigrated to Ohaki in the days of Rauparaha. During our absence, our ancestral lands at Patetetera and Maungatautari were seized by the kingites, Ngatihawa, and sold to the Europeans for rum. The lands of our forefathers were prodigally squandered by the people, whom you represent. Enough; leave us to do as we think best with what remains.

Akipita (Raukawa chief) said ; When Potatau was set up as King, we placed our lives and lands under his protection, you know that death and confiscation were the only result. This is the remnant of our tribe you now see before you, let them direct their own affairs. They have returned to their allegiance to the Queen and her laws. Aranui (Ngatiwairangi chief) said: I have been a kingite since the days of Potatau. All the hapus of Koherawairangi and Tuwharetoa agree with Manga, and give their lands over to him, i.e., on the west side of the Waikato. Regarding our lands of Takaroa (east of Waikato), I approve of what Manga has said, and support him. Aperehama Te Kusia said: When Ngatirakawa joined the King they took their landi also, and now when they had declared for the Queen, their lands must revert to them. I wish the seed of the Government to be sown over all Raukawa lands, and roads to be opened throughout. (This referred to the Taupo and Cambridge road). Arekatera Te Wera (Raukawa Chief) said; Manga’s object in claiming our country is to close it up. Our tribe joined the rebellion and suffered severely. The Waikatos took advantage of our isolated position and sold our lands to the Europeans. The Raukawa have returned to their allegiance, and the possession of what lands remain. Their firm resolve is to sell, lease, or do what they think best with their own, and they ignore the boundary claimed by Manga. Reweti Te Kuone, MaihiTe Ngaru, Kipihana, and other chiefs followed in the same strain, and expressed their determination to have their lands surveyed and passed through the Court, and urged the opening up of the road to Cambridge. Manga then replied that the Raukawa tribe had acquired tracts of land selling at Kapiti, and would do the same here. He said: lam anxious to do what is right. If Ngatiraukawa had made concessions I would havemet them in the same spirit; but as they seem determined I will not give way. I hold the mana over their lands, but I do not wish to assert it. If they conciliate, although few in numbers, I will stand in the breach and resist any encroachment.

Dr. Pollen then said ; Friend Manga and the assembled tribes, I have listened with attention to all that has been said. Where there are differences of opinion the first thing is a conference. I hope that good will come out of this talk. By a little concession on each side good must come. The possibility of my being able to help rests very much with yourselves. There is no reason why I should take one side or the other. My w»rk is to serve the interests of both sides. With reference to what Rewi has said about the King boundary, I hold that only those of the native race who acceded to it can be expected to be bound by it. For the sake of peace and quietness I would be inclined to respect it, but as ithasbeen provedasatisfaotory (?) arrangement, I say it were better had it never existed, and rather than it should be the cause of strife it had been better blotted out. But lam not going to touch it. Your ancestral boundary is not a difficult questjon. It depends upon Maori customs and upon evidence,and can easily be proved in the Native Lands Court. (The Hon. Native Minister here fully explained the machinery of the Lands Court; and advised the natives how to act with regard to their lands.) With reference to roads, he said : I repeat what I said at Cambridge, that in a country covered by Crown grants the Government will construct roads wherever they think them necessary, but will not make roads throughout native land against the wish of the owners. We do not hesitate to construct roads through the lands of Europeans wherever they are required, for it is not right that one man should stand in the way of many. But as you do not yet fairly understand our ways we treat you differently. The Government will not force you to part with your land against your own wishes, for we consider it very necessary that you should retain large reserves for your own purposes. Allusion has been made to irregular sales made by Waikatos. I am seeking the way to remedy this evil. When I find it I will show it you. I hold that the men have the right to do as they please with their own. I will do all in my power to help you in every way, and shall consider no labor too great if for your good. The promises made to you by Sir Donald McLean I will fulfill, his word I will make my word. (The Hon. Native Minister spoke at length, with great force, and appeared to give the greatest satisfaction). Manga then said; This is my last word. I am troubled because I am blamed for being a party to the private sales that have taken place. I ask that this question be left in abeyance until next spring, when I may see more clearly than I now do the way to a peaceful termination. Taupo, March 26. On Saturday morning the Hou. the Native Minister met a large number of friendly Taupo and Patetere natives at Poihipi’a kainga. Manga was also present, as he wished to hear the decision arrived at on the Tatiua block. Hitiari and other grantees wished the survey to be proceeded with, saying that they had given the laud to the Government for twenty-one years, and were determined to uphold their agreement. Manga withdrew his opposition to the lease entirely, provided no deductions were made from rent for spirits and improvements. As Poihipi and his wife objected to some of the grantees, it was decided to hold a committee and let the natives settle it among themselves. The faupo natives represented that their back rents on blocks leased four years ago to Government were still due, and wished them paid. They also asked that the balance of the money due on Mohaka purchased block be paid at once. The Hon. the Native Minister said : I have listened to your grievances, and will do all in my power to set them right. The blame is partly on your own side. Captain Mair, district officer, will help you in getting your lands through the Lands Court, and assist Mr. Mitchell, land purchase agent, in settling all the outstanding matters which have so long been troubling you. The Government only wish to do what is just and right towards you. A number of other business matters were gone through, and Dr. Pollen started for Napier at 2 o’clock, amidst prolonged cheering from the whole meeting. Manga and his party left at the same time. Major Mair followed this morning. Captain Mair and Mr. Mitchell are now busy arranging for surveys, etc.

The Native Minister’s visit will be productive of much good, and has tended more than anything to remove the feeling prevalent amongst the natives that they were being unfairly treated.