THE NATIVE MINISTER AT KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1505, 25 February 1882, Page 3

THE NATIVE MINISTER AT KIHIKIHI.

In compliance with an invitation the hon. Mr Bryce visited Rewi at his residence at Kihikihi, on Wednesday, and was entertained at dinner by that chief. There were present, in addition to the Native Minister and suite, Messrs. E. B. Walker, Jno. Grice, R.H.D. Fergusson, lloss, Major Jackson, and some others, as well as the native chiefs, Raugituateaand Rupotahi. After dinner, Rewi, addressing Mr Bryce, referred to the sale of the Tokoroa block, which he said he had intended should be kept as a dwelling place for the natives. He also referred to a letter he had received from the Native Minister, in which the latter told him that the grub had got into tho tree, and that he along with Rewi would water the roots and so save it. He tasked if the time had not come foy doing this. Mr Bryce &aid it was quite true that the strength of the Maori was in the land properly used. He referred to the bad feeling that had been created between the two races, and said he understood the tree which was to be watered to mean the tree of good- will. He felt that Rewi desired this, and said that the present was the time. He had no faith in thu iaihoa policy. He was prepared to assist in the task and with them would willingly forget the past. He wished to &cc the peoples living together as onf , but he was not going to attain his ends by unfair me ins ; he would tell the truth ; he would not say all was clear ahead of their canoe if he saw rocks in the channel. There could only be one sovereign and one law in new Zealand ; there was not loom for two. He thought if this came to be recognised, much difficulty would be saved. He would not at present enter into details, but when the proper time came he would do so. He concluded Ins remarks with an expression of his goodwill towaids Rewi and the whole Maori people. Rewi said the words of the Native Minister were quite clear to him. He was anxious that the land belonging to his people should be secured to them, and both races would live under one law. The land he wished to be so secured was included in these boundaries : Pirongia, Kakepuku, Puniu river, Tongariro and White Cliffs. He lef erred only to land which had not been dealt in by Europeans. He saw no rock ahead now. He had listened to other counsels before, but now he was going to be guided by his own. He complained of the action ot the Kupapa nati\ es in selling land and trying to get him into a difficulty over it. These natives had not acted straightforwaidly. He had advised the European buyers of the Hovahora, Maungatautari, Pukekuiaand Puahoe blocks to occupy their lands, and advised Tawhiao not to heed those natives who opposed occupation. Had he had his own way the difficulty would have been settled long ago. These natives alienated their land, and now wanted to sell his. He complainpd of the conduct of a man named Alexander McDonald, who had aided these natives. Mr Brycf said he could not then enter into such intiicato questions as those of title. It might be, in cases "\\hoie the Kupapas had sold improperly, that the king natives (so-called) had neglected to attend the Native Lands Court. His opinion was that the only cine for the evil complained of was to a&ceitain and iix the ownership of the land, not necessarily for sale, but in order that the question of ownership might be set id rost. Rewi said he had made up his mind to go to the Court in respect of lands adjacent to his boundary. He was about to survey the Patua block and that was the beginning of his woik. He was going to hwe the boundary of his country fixed. Mrßrjcewas glad to know that this determination had been arrived at. He felt sure it ay as the only solution of the difficulty. The title to the land should he detei mined according to the law of the country. Tho natives would not be foiced to sell. If they did so it would be of then own free will. He had said if he saw a lock a-head he would point it out. Now it occured to him that some of the nativ es would want to part with their land by sale or lease, while others would not. Rewi said those who had squandered all their own land were anxious to part with his. Some natives, who had no right to do it, were about to .survey the Manuk.i-tutahi block. Mr Biyce said the question of title would be determined by the Court, and as Rewi had now determined to appear befoi c the Com t. no danger need be apprehended. If, when the titles had been determined, Rewi wished to make use of his land, his (Mr Brjce's) ach ice was to lease it. But the Government would not urge them to do this. They could do as they pleased. Rewi then pledged Mr Bryce in a glass of wine, atid hoped they would be successful in making the tree to flourish. Mr Bryce said he hoped with confidence they would succeed. Rewi expressed a desire to meet Mr Bryce at any time, and the Native Minister said he would always be happy to comply with his request. The company shortly afterwards broke "P-