THE DEFENCE MINISTER AT THE THAMES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 43, 12 April 1873, Page 2

THE DEFENCE MINISTER AT THE THAMES.

Mr. McLean had an interview with the native tribes at Shortland on Saturday. There were about 150 Maoris present. We give a resume of the speeches, which We collate from the Thames Advertiser : —“ Hotereni Taipari, welcomed Mr. McLean and Wi Tako. He said that some few years ago they were all divided, but now they had but one body, and one parent. Although the Governor was gone, yet they had not forgot his words. The Governor had at all times expressed his wish that the Maoris and pakehas should become one people. — Kterailiana then Spoke, and afterwards Ngakapa. The speech of the latter was chiefly in welcome of Wi Tako, but he also referred to his legal difficulties and troubles in connection with the Rangiriri block in Shortland.— Riwai said that his back was bent, and tliat he was very sore. Riwai referred to two of these troublesome questions in a metaphorical way, viz.-, the railroad which had been spoken of, and the road to Hikutaia. The railway he would never consent to. Riwai then welcomed Paora Tuhaere, who, in replying-, said that he belonged to this district, but that they should welcome Wi Tako.—Te Watene, of Kirikiri, welcomed Mr. McLean and Wi Tako. He spoke openly about the railway. He said they had made no opposition to the telegraph, but this railroad they would never consent to. —Mr. McLean here explained that it was not intended io make the railway immediately. Merely a flying survey was being made, to see what a line would cost.—Wi Tako then replied, saluting the people of this end of the island. He said that he had been to see the people of the other end of the island, and he had now come to see the people of this end. He then referred to the prominent part he had taken in setting up the Maori King, and said that he had now found out his error.—The meeting then adjourned for lunch. — After lunch Mr. McLean addressed Taripipipi, of the Piako, who has been regarded for some years past as the King’s manager for the Thames. Mr. McLean said he welcomed Taripipipi back to take the place he had formerly taken in the tribes. —Rota, of the Piako, said: This is the place that nourished you and brought you up. I have brought with me your Prodigal Son. Let us kill the fatted calf and rejoice together. —Pineaha, of the Piako, said that Mr. McLean and Wi Tako had done Well in coming, and hoped they would continue to do as they had done hitherto. But he felt sure they would hot be able to drag Tainui down to the sea. Meaning that they would not be able to bring in the Kingites.—Subsequent to the meeting with the natives, Mr. McLean was waited on by a number of miners, whose principal object was to ask’him about when he expected that Ohinemuri would be opened? Mr. McLean said the Government were quite prepared to lease or purchase. All they wanted was that there should be a good title. The Government would not like to put them upon lahd which was likely to be disputed. It did not matter to the Government whether they leased or purchased. He had no sympathy with speculators who would dose up any of those lands, and it would -afford him pleasure if he could in any way prevent any monopoly. He considered that the hardworking digger had brought this place into its position—(cheers), — and the Government would do all it could to foster and encourage tho digging community in every way in its power. He did hot recollect exactly how the clause stood.