CONFERENCE MEETING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 249, 1 October 1884, Page 2

CONFERENCE MEETING.

THE DEPUTATION. MR REES AND HIS NATIVE LAND BILL. A Conference meeting of the local bodies was held last night. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Messrs. Ferris, Townley, Lewis, Wilson, Westrup, Weston, Graham, Joyce, Smith, Hepburn, and Brown. The Chairman explained that the conference had been called together in pursuance to a resolution passed by the Borough Council and Harbor Board, at which the Chairman of the Cook County Council was present, and for the purpose of reporting progress as to the matters entrusted to certain delegates who had been sent, to Wellington under the instructions of the local bodies. He thought he need not say much more. There were several resolutions and matters which should be considered in order to further the objects which had been set in motion by the delegates. Mr. Chambers was suffering from sickness, and he would have to apologise for his absence. He (Mr. Chambers) had sent in a note containing certain heads for him (the Chairman) to draw up a report on, and he was very sorry he could not do so at further length, but he only had that afternoon to do it in, during which time he was very busy with other work. He then read the report. Mr. Westrup, speaking of the Native Land Bill, asked if it was Mr. Rees who disagreed to it.

The Chairman said it was. Mr. Rees disagreed in this way. He had a Native Land Bill <>f his own, which was almost in contradiction of that introduced by Mr. Locke, and which was in the hands of Wi Peri and some two or three Natives, who went down with a petition similar to the one they went with, but Wi Peri suppressed that petition and kept those Natives from communication with either Mr. Locke, Mr. Chambers, or himself. Therefore that petition, which was got up by the Natives backing up their petition was simply suppressed. Wi Peri’s object was to stop the sitting of Native Land Courts in the district until such time as a New Land Bill passed the House, and that new Bill was being framed by Mr. Rees, Wi Peri, and Sir George Grey. Only on that particular matter, the Native Land question, did they (the delegates) disagree, though that did not really affect the object of their mission in Wellington, and they did not go to the trouble of disputing over it. Mr. Graham had much pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to the deputation for the able manner in which they had conducted their work, and he thought they had been very successful, and the money had been well spent. As far as the Harbor Bill was concerned, it had been very ably managed, and they could not do any more for it. Captain Porter had informed them favorably regarding other matters, and the only question was in reference to this Native Land Bill. In moving his motion of thanks he would exclude Mr. Rees, as far as this particular item was concerned, as he thought Mr. Rees should not have taken the opportunity of getting his passage paid to Wellington for ulterior objects, and going behind the backs of those who sent him there. Mr. Locke’s Bill, he thought, without going into radical changes, was a very good one, and would materially assist the working of the Land Act, and, if passed, help them very much. Rethought Wi Peri’s Bill had no chance of passing, but, notwithstanding, they should take strenuous measures to prevent its coming on, as it might be the means of aiding to throw Mr. Locke’s Bill out. He considered if the sitting of Native Land Courts here was stopped it would impede the progress of the place considerably, and very likely the Government, seeing there was no inclination to have Land Courts here, would make a handle of it and dismiss the subject altogether.

Mr. Joyce begged to second the motion, provided Mr. Rees’ name was included. Mr. Graham said he only wished to exclude Mr. Rees as far as his action went in regard to the Native Land Bill.

The Chairman did not wish it to be thought that there was any difference between the delegates with reference to any point in which they were sent down to advocate, nor was there any active difference between them as regards the two Land Bills. Mr. Graham asked if Mr. Rees’ expenses were still running on ? The Chairman said it was arranged between Mr. Chambers and himself that when the business was over, Mr. Chambers was to give Mr. Rees notice that his functions would end. Mr. Chambers did so and Mr. Rees became indignant, and did not expect the expenses would be kept running on. Mr. Ferris could hardly see how M“. Rees’ name could be excluded from the vote of thanks, as this Land BJI was not part of the special duties of the delegates. Mr. Rees’ offence was in his taking advantage of his position as one of their deputation to father a bill without letting the public of this place have an opportunity of discussing it. The motion was put by the Chairman and carried. Mr. Smith thought whatever the ultimate result of the working of the depatation might be, their presence in Wellington had a very great effect. It had compelled an admission from the Lower House at any rate, to the effect that they had been striving to force upon the House foi many years past the fact that this district had been grossly neglected, and if the deputation had achieved nothing more, such an open admission was a great point gained. Some of the leading members had stated that the place had now a moral and special claim for consideration. As for as to the Harbor Bill was concerned, everything was going on successfully. He was told there were some persons in this place who were secretly moving against it in another direction. He was suprised at this opposition. Ho moved “ That official telegrams be forwarded to the Hon. P. Buckley, Hon. Sir George Whitmore, Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, Hon. Dr. Pollen, and tne Hon. Mr. Johnson, asking them to use their utmost influence in assisting to pass the Harbor Bill in the Legislative Council. Mr, Ferris seconded. Carried. Mr. Ferris drew attention to an announcement appearing in the papers to the effect that most probably the Hinemoa would arrive on Sunday next with members of the House on a visit to this place. He thought they might have a little desultory discusssion on that matter, as to what action they should take in case of such a thing taking place. He had received a letter from Mr. Locke, in which he staled he expected to be at Gisborne in a week or so, if he could induce the Government to get the Hinemoa to come here. If the members visiled here it would be necessary to give them a public reception. He did not think there would be any harm in forwarding a delayed wire inviting them here.

Mr. Smith—Yes, collect. (Laughter.) To bring matters to a head he would propose that any steps that may be necessary should be left in the hands of a committee to be composed of the following gentlemen :—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. Ferris, Townley, Westrup and the mover. Mr. Lewis seconded. Carried. The Chairman moved that Mr. ChambiM and himself be authorized to thank the Government for the support that they had given to the passing of the Harbor Bill through the House. Both the Premier and Sir Julius Vogel did not give them direct promises of support, but only said they would not oppose their Bill or their measures. He thought it would come very well irom the Conference thanking those personages for their cordial support. They might extend it to Sir George Whitmore, Sir George Grey, and Mr. Locke. Mr. Westrup seconded. The motion was altered, instead of the Chairman and Mr. Chambers returning thanks, that Mr. Locke be requested to do so. Carried.

In replying to Mr. Joyce the Chairman stated he did not really know what Wi Pe'e’s Bill contained. He only knew through the Natives who v.e-e down the.e. They told him that a meeting had taken place between Mr. Rees, Wi Pe-e and Sir George Grey, and Wi I’ere wanted io stop the sittings of the Land Court until the new Bill passed, and with that end in view a Native was sent up here in the same boat as he came up by, with

a pe iiion to geu it signed by the Natives along the Coast, which would bolster up the Bill. Tuta Nihoniho had the petition in charge, and on boa d he foolishly let him read it. He stated this for the information of the d’Btrict,

On fully considering the matter it wa decided on the motion of Mr. Townley, tha' the Mayor communicate with Mr. Locke in order to get a copy of Wi Pere’s Bill, and to obtain any other information regarding it. and then call a public meeting to considi r what steps should be taken with regard to it.