SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 722, 1 February 1877, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

ALEXANDRA, laßt night. The Hon, Native Minister, aocom* panied by Uol, Lyon, Major Te Whero and Mr Bush as intepreter, proceeded yesterday to Kaipiha at the invitation of Manuuiri. The party were afterwards joined by Mr Mackay and Major Mair, The Native Minister was called on m Mr Turners honse by Manubiri but little conversation of auy importance took place, the interview apparently being partly formal ceromonial and introducj tory. The chiefs, Mauuhiri, Takerei, Kerau, Takeiraru, Waihau Honana, I Wirento, JPatere, Te Tui, and others were present, and the Potatou family were well represented. The European party left Kaipahi about 4 30, the chiefs Takerei, Terau, Te Tui (the Kiugs brother-in-law), Honana, Naihou aud others, shortly afterwards came into Alexandra, and remained for the night. This morning they interviewd the Native Miuister m the large room at Finche'g Hotel. The Europeans present Were Col Lyou, Mr Mackay, Major Mair, and Mr Bush. Major te Wheoro also attended on the (Government side. The Chiefs were Takerei Terau, TeTuhi, Honaua Waihou, and the Revd W Barion. Tbe Native Minister said he was glad to see them at Alexandra, and hoped that they would freely express their views on all matters affecting their interests. Takerei Terau then handed m a document which purported to be a report of the re cent interview with the late Sir Donald McLean m which it had been promised that Tawhiao should administer the affairs of hjsp_wn district. Df-Pollen said, any promise which could be distinctly proved had been made by Sir Donald McLean wquid be carried oub by himself and the Government, but he thought the proper way to proceed was to ascertain arstly, if the natjggavprfeenfc were willing to act m concert witfi ffik Government m maintaining peace and upholding the law. Secondly, if B uoh was the desire, then, a district might be set aside for Tawhiao and his people, within which he could administer the affairs of his people subject to the law. The first proposal was approved of. The second was not objected to, but the Chiefs present said it required further consideration. A question was then asked, how about the Waikat lands t we cannot well arrange anything until that is finally disposed of. The Hon Dr Pollen said it i3 of no use alluding to Waikato. The landa inside

are absolutely gone, and even if the Government desired to return them to the natives they could not do so as they baa passed into the hands of the Europeans. If Tawhiao consented to the first and second proposals and then asked for a piece of land within Waikato, it would be given to him. After some cousiderable discussion it was suggested by Te Tuhi that the question of lands acquired by conquest Bhould be left m abeyance, and the selling of lande outside confiscated districts should be considered, that these had all been handed over to Potatau, and it was notrighb for natives or Europeans to deal with them after the cession to Potatau. The Hon Dr Pollen replied that the natives who hod handed them to Pota'tau ' had since altered their minds, and disposed of the lands to the Government and private persons. All he and the law could require was that the rightful owners of the land were the people to deal wibli them. As to Tawhiao, he could do as he pleased with his own lands as to Belling op leasing, or with che lands of the tribes within his own district, who also wishsd to retain their property m, their own hands. The Government wished to protect every man m the disposal of his own property. Where lancjg -had been passed through the JNative Lands Court, and the title fairly obtained, the Government had no right to interfere either fop or against the sale or leaße by the grantees, unless it could be proved that the title was obtained by fraud. One case hnd been brought under the notice of the Government, m which it was beljexfid the grant had been improperly obtained, 1 and the Attorney-General was taking steps m the Supreme Court to cancel the title by the process known as "Scire Facias." Objections were then raised, about roads and other public works within native dist -jets. The Native Minister did not recognise the ri-jht of Tawhiao or anyone to interfere, where the native owners were willing that a road or other public work should be made, and m oases where the title was vested m Europeans the Crown had the right to carry on public w"orks, and no native ought to interfere. As to the stoppage of the Taupo road, Dr Pollen said the land was granted as far as Hui-Huitaba, and therefore ho would make the road to thafpoint. The chiefs present suggested that the making of the line of. road beyond that place, on purely native land, should stay over until they could submit the first made proposals to Tawhiao. This was agreed to on both sides. The survey of Mrs Morgan's land was then brought forward. Dr Pollen pointed ' out that the land was within the confiscated boundary, and ha I been granted to Mrs Morgan, a half-caste, and one of the Ngiitihikairo tribe, and her occupation of it could not be allowed to be interfeoed with. He therefore hoped that as they were willing to entertain the large question which had been that day placed, before them, they would not interfere further about the Taupo road or Mra Morgan's land, or it would have the effect of preventing a peaceful and right solution of the present difficulties. It was then agreed that the hon Dr Pollen should be furnished with a report as to Tawhiao and Manuhiri's views, and should be asked to return to Alexandra to discuss them. The whole business was conducted m a very courteous and friendly spirit on both sides. The chiefs, at the conc'usion, testifying their approval o£ (the views enunciated by Dr Pollen, said they would, as soon as possible, submit them to Tawhiao and the other chiefs. Auckland, last night.