MEETING AT TE AWANUI.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 12, 21 December 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

MEETING AT TE AWANUI.

We are indebted to the Hawke's Bay Herald for so much of the following report of the meeting between the Ngatiporou chiefs and the Hon. the Native Minister held at Te Awanui on the 28th November, to settle the dispute between Paora Haenga and Wiremu Keiha, as has not appeared in our columns : — Major Ropata Wahawaha :—All the chiefs of Ngatiporou have been exerting themselves to stop the dispute between Paora To Haenga and Wiremu Keiha about the Te Aruhi Mokopuna land, and they did not succeed. But let me tell you that there is also another very important dispute, besides several other smaller ones which are of no consequence, that is, the dispute about Horoera between Wikiriwhi and Mokena. This is a very serious one, and, I am afraid, will be difficult to arrange. I thought you had come to settle it. The others I mentioned will be satisfactorily settled by the chiefs themselves. There is also another matter I had hoped you had come to settle, and that is the Patutahi land. Why should any of it be given to other tribes? It was I alone who fought and protected Poverty Bay, therefore why should any of the land be given to other tribes ? I understood we were to

Jpave this land as some recompense for fighting the Hau-haus, for which we received no pay. I am not willing that Ngatikahungunu should have an y # of it; we could not agree together. The only two things that trouble me are the Ngatiporou disputes and the Patutahi land, which I should like to see settled to-day. Let it be given to Ngatiporou only, because it was Europeans who were my friends in fighting, and not natives. The Europeans have received 5,000 acres, and now I ask to have Patutahi handed over to the Ngatiporou tribe, which extends along the coast from Tologa Bay to Hicks’ Bay, in order that the land may be leased and the proceeds set apart to support our schools. Mokena Kohere : —I support Ropata’s proposal that the Patutahi land question be decided to-day. At the time I was in Wellington, Karaitiana Takamoana and ITenare Tomoana came to me, and desired me to accompany them to Mr. M‘Lean, to see about a settlement of this question, but I refused, saying I had received no land at other places where I had been fighting, such as the Wairoa and other places, and that as it was the Ngatiporou only who helped the Europeans in the Turanga fight, I considered they alone were entitled to it, and I told them to say nothing more about it, but they continued to talk over the matter up to the time of the division in the House. I entirely agree that this land should be set apart for the maintenance of our schools. In Karaitiana’s speech in the House, he said he did not wish for a Native Minister who spoke the Maori language, and, if any faith is to be placed in that, let us teach our children the English language by sending them to school. Major Ropata : —lt was but a short time ago that we heard that Mr. M‘Lean’s Government were turned out, and in less than a month we heard they were in office again. I was much surprised at this, because I thought that jealousy existed only among the natives, but I find Europeans are quite as bad. Therefore it is that I am anxious to have this matter settled, for, if a change takes place next year, and the matter remains unsettled till then, it may go on for years. Now, as to the Ngatikahungunu; they fought at Te Karetu, and received 3s 6d a day in payment for their work, I was there also, and received the same; but the fighting for which this land is claimed took place several years before, and for this no payment was made, s© that if the Ngatikahungunu are entitled to land, let it be given them elsewhere. H. Potae : —I am of the same opinion as Ropata respecting the Patutahi land being given us, and leased, and the proceeds set apart for school purposes. A short time ago I wrote to Colonel Russell, proposing that the children should be regular borders, and not day scholars,

because, if they have to go home for food and to sleep, the school will turn out a failure before the first year is over. I have heard of the Ngatikahungunu’s wish te have a portion of Patutahi given them, and,l was present at Poverty Bay when Te Hapuku and Ihaka Whanga wanted Ropata to sign a paper agreeing that they were to receive half the block; but I told Ropata not to do anything of the kind, as they would only return it to the original Hau-hau owners ; that I did not recognise their claim to it, seeing it was not given to us for the Makaretu fight, in which they took part, and for which they were paid; but for the former fighting, in which they took no part. Therefore we now ask to have Patutahi given to us, in order that the schools of the tribe who bore the burden of the war mav be benefited bv it.

Hon. Native Minister: —My friends, in answer to your talk about Horoera, what I have to say is this: Some time ago, I visited that place together with the Governor and Tareha and Hapuku, and the dispute was then put into our hands to settle. I did not think that it would be brought up at this time when I am alone, and have no time to enter into the matter. My chief in coming here is to settle this dispute between Paora Te Haenga and Wiremu Keiha, which with your help, has been achieved. Now as to Patutahi. It has always been decided that this land was to be divided into three distinct pieces; one-third to be retained by the Government, the other two-thirds to be given Ho the natives who remained faithful to the Queen. 5,000 acres of land have been appropriated by the Government at Te Muhunga for a military settlement; and now 10,000 acres at Patutahi, will be given to Ngatiporou. At the same time, if you wish to lease that land, the Government will take it and pay you a fair rental for it, which can be set apart as a maintenance for your schools. I did promise Ngatikahungunu some of this land, but,in talking the matter over, they —Tareha and others —agreed to receive money in lieu of it. Karaitiana’s idea was far different: he appeared to want the whole of the land, yours and theirs, and then perhaps would have blamed the Government for having taken it. Ido not remember ever having made you a promise to the effect that you were to have land at Wairoa, although I remember your asking me for some. It was Mr. Richmond who managed the Wairoa land, and I advised some remuneration being given to friendly natives for their claim to what was reserved by the Government for military settlers, and £BOO were paid on that account. You have had no land at Wairoa, but some remuneration will be given you. I think I have now answered all your proposals, and I repeat that you will receive 10,000 acres at Patutahi, which will be leased from you by the Government, and you will also receive the sum of £5OO for former services at Wairoa.

Henare Potae : —lt appears to me that the Patutahi question is satisfactorily disposed of ; the only matter remaining is leasing to the Government, and the whole affair can be settled at once.

Mom Turei : —There is one question I wish to ask respecting this Patutahi land. In the first place, this land was supposed to be divided into three parts, one of which has been taken up for Europeans. Now, are there three divisions of the Patutahi or two ? Karaitiana told myself and Mokena in Wellington that his share, that is to say Ngatikahungunu’s, had long ago been returned to the owners. We also had a long talk which grew very warm, he was praising Mr. Stafford and abusing Mr. M‘Lean. I said, well, as you know so well how good he is, praise him; but I will wait, for I have not forgotten our former troubles, which grew and increased from bad to worse. You say that it is because of Mr. M‘Lean’s knowledge of the native language that the (Maoris lost their property. Why, this land you are speaking about was taken by the Stafford Government in former times. Who was it that destroyed the people in those days ? I myself took them prisoners, but who was it that killed them ? I caught Te Tuatini in the evening, and Mr. Stafford sealed their fate in the morning with a pistol ; and I therefore repeat again, I will wait before I say anything in praise of Mr.

Stafford, as I have not forgotten the disasters that befel both Europeans and natives during his time. You also say tha.t, if Ngatiporou ask Mr. M‘Lean for food he is sure to give it to them, and that it is for this reason they like him, but I ask you whether or not you ask for anything? Who was it that asked the Government for £3,000 to pay off his mortgage ? and who was that asked the Government for £4O to pay for his trap ? Why, these are things to be ashamed of, but not asking for help in the way of food, through most of our people being away on expeditions against Te Kooti and others. If you are clear in your own mind where Mr. M'Lean is at fault, then you can blame him, but as yet you have not satisfied me what reason you have for doing so. As to your saying it is because of his buying land, it is false. Patutahi and other lands were confiscated by Stafford’s Government, and you say you have returned your share to the original owners ; but if the Government will give Ngatiporou some of that land, they will take it and keep it; you may return your share, you, who never fought for it. One thing I can tell you, that you have failed in carrying out the wishes of the people who sent you to Parliament, and have joined in disputing and not working.

Ropata : — Now that the Patutahi question is disposed of, I have another thing to propose, and that is, that Ngatiporou should have a distinct member of their own for Parliament. We were trusting to the fact that, when the Government saw the number of names of this tribe attached to a petition presented to the House, the Government would of their own accord propose that we should have one. This is a matter on which we feel very strong, and I will not cease to urge it, as I find it is no use trusting to a member who looks after his own interests and not after those af his constituents. Te Mokena : — A matter of this kind must be brought before the House and agreed to by them ; this cannot be done at present, as the session is over.

Mom Turei:—l support Ropaia’s proposal, it is good. Let there be a good many posts in the fence to strengthen it, so that when the wind blows heavily it will have strength to resist it. Only one member has been appointed for the East Coast; and by the time we receive the voting notices we hear that the election is over, that Karaitiana, who is at that end looking after his own affairs only, is elected, and we have no opportunity of proposing a member. This state of affairs may be repeated at the next election, therefore we want a member of our own, who will explain our wishes to the Parliament.

Hon. Native Minister explained the nature of elections, and said that for the present no alteration could be made. He then went on to say, “ I explained to Wi Take, Morgan, and others my views as to native affairs; it has struck me also that Ngatiporou were not represented in the House, and I proposed that Te Mokena should be called to’ the Upper House, he being the most likely one to be at liberty. I was also going to propose that a Council should be formed, consisting of twelve natives, to be elected by the people themselves, and to be assisted by a European, and that this Council should hear and determine disputes in its own district, but through the House breaking up so soon it was not passed, but it will again be brought forward. lam now glad to leave you all once more in a state of peace and happiness, -which I trust will be kept up by the united endeavours of both chiefs and people.”