AT LAST.—REWI AND THE NATIVE MINISTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5581, 17 February 1879, Page 3

AT LAST.—REWI AND THE NATIVE MINISTER.

_ - f The following reports of the meetings between the Native Minister at Puniu and Kihikihi were written for the Waha Maori by an intelligent native who was present at both meetings. They were shown to Row!, who approved of them, and desired to see them published in the Waha Maori: — Puniu, January 4, 1879. The following are the words of Manga at Puniu : I ask about (or for) the Waitara letters ; three letters which gave rise to predictions of evil, and men said I had joined myself to Grey—Hearken, all of you—l am not aware that I am identifying myself with the policy of the present Government. Let not any man say that Mr. Sheehan induced me to come here. It was my own business which brought me to this place. Here is another word which I have to speak now that I have returned hither from Waitara. Manukatutahi has been sold, but I do not consent. Let that money drift away upon the waters ; no land will be given for it. I have done. Then rose up Tainoakawa : Leave that matter to be settled by your child Ta-rhiao. Then rose Manga : The people must cease from interfering with that land ; my business is my own. Shall Ngatimaru take the land at Hauraki ? No, I have sole power over the land. Let my first, second, and third words bo discussed by you all. If the pakeha (Mr. Sheehan) desires the discussion to be carried on in the House, it is well. With respect to my word at Waitara, of which men speak, that my hand was upon the crown of the head of the Governor (Sir George Grey), and the hand of the Governor upon the Crown of my head, in consequence of which the Governor and the Maoris said I had assented (i.c., to terms), I say no; Grey’s ideas were his own. I have designs of my own, which I have entertained from old. This thing has created much talk in these days. I have nothing more to say about this. I now turn to the pakeha, Mr. Sheehan. I ask about an investigation in my interest (re land claims) from old down to the present time. Commencing here, hence to Panebakua, To Mauku, Pukekura, Maungatautari, Waikato, thence crossing over on my boundary line. Your affafrs are your own ; my affairs are my own. You must not allow yourself to suppose that our affairs are identical. What is it to me that some portions have been sold ? I desire that land purchasers (or sellers) must apply to me. This is all I have to say to you. Answer the first and second words of mine, also what I now say. Let these proposals of mine be settled by you. Then uprose Mr Sheehan : Your words are good, Manga, You and I will consider these matters some day. I have no more to say on this subject. I ask where are the papers containing the subjects for discussion ? The subjects for discussion do not appear. Then uprose Mr. Hare ; I will tell you what the subject is. We desire that the people occupying Te Kapiti be turned off. Mr. Sheehan : What about those people ? Some dispute between you perhaps ? Hare : No ; it was Ngatimaru. It was because they had no right or title to assume the control there ; for we are the owners of that part. In times gone by we made a disturbance about that place, and bad it not been for Manga and Tawhiao there would have been trouble. Mr. Sheehan : Have they no claim then ? Habb : They have no claim. It belongs to

two parents of mine, and I have always control over it, down to the present The timber (on it) was bumed_ by me, hence the quarrel. (They) have no right (there). Mr. Sheehan : Did they, before this happened, know that tbe land was disputed. Hare ; Yes. They had heard that Manga claimed a title there. If Manga decided to have the tit'e investigated it would be right. Mr. Sheehan : Has the land been surveyed ? Hark : It hac not been surveyed. I say to vou Manga, you have spoken to Ngatiraukawa of this long ago ; and you have told Doctor Pollen of your boundary of which you have again spoken this day. Mr. Sheehan : This piece is in the hands of Manga. Manga and I will consider it in due time. AY hat are the names of those places ? Hare: Kiwitahe, Tahea, and Horohoro. Te Tatua is the only piece which has been investigated. Mr. Sheehan : For that piece which has been investigated there shall be a rehearing, although it has beeu done before it can be done again. Who had the direction of the work there ?

Manga: Myself and Mitere [Mitchel (?)] Mr. Sheehan: Manga is the only man who can bring back that land.

Manga: Yes. This discussion is now over. If the Government desire the Court to sit hero it is well. If in your bouse it is well. Here ended the words of Manga and Mr. Sheehan.

[And high time too, we thinks A more one-sided “ negotiation ” Ave never heard of. This is a specimen of tho “ satisfactory interviews ” which have been trumpeted throughout the country by admiring satellites ! We cannot see that tbe Native Ministe • ever attempted to gain any object. He seemed absolutely spellbound and afraid of giving offence, so ho pusillanimously tells Bewi that his words are good, whether right or wrong. We have no doubt Rewi enjoyed the situation amazingly. ’Twas the first time he ever had a Minister of the Crown humbly seeking his patronage. We must reserve for our next issue the report of the "talk” at Kihikihl.