MR MITCHELSON'S VISIT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2458, 12 April 1888, Page 2

MR MITCHELSON'S VISIT.

i * Meeting with Wahanui and the Ngatimaniapoto Chiefs. Tiih Hon. Mr. Mitchelson,accompanied by Mr Lewis, Under-Secretary, and Mr Bate. Private Secretary, Major Jackson, M.H. K. Mr Hudson Traffic Manager, and Captain Rutherford proceeded by special train to Otorohanga on Tuesday afternoon where the party was met by a. large concourse of natives. Such inllnential men as Wahanui, Taonni, John Orinsbv, Wetere te Rirenga, Te Rmgii.vnini, Hauauru r and others being present. Soon after their arrival the party proceeded to the hall where Mr W. H. Grace acted as interpreter, Messrs Wilkinson and Butler being also in attendance. The ministerial - pirty put up at Black's Temperance Hotel which was crowded with visitors, but the arrangements under Mr Black's 3 personal supervision weae most satisfacR tory. £ The proceedings were opened by a Wahanui, who said : To-day has been fixed and arranged for us to meet you in i order to hear what you have to say to us. . We are glad you have come to see us, so that we may offer greetings to each other. This is what I have to state. When I have laid the grounds some one else will explain—lst. Mr Ballance's law. ; 2nd. Law re rates; 3rd. Crown purchases; . 4th. A line of telegraph to here; sth. > That some one of us may be appointed , stationmaster, or for us to nominate i one ; and, lastly, to allow us to correct 5 the names of the stations on the line. Mr John Ormsby will further explain. Mr Ormsby : You have given us the opportunity to welcome you here. Now [ that you have come it is a new day. J Regarding Ministers' visits, other Minisr ters came for different objects. At that > time they used to come and try to throw ■ open the roads to Europeans, but we did • not take kindly to these subjects. By , the strength of their representation they were carried out, and now there are '' many things to discuss. Now is the time owing to you having succeeded in intro- ! ducing these inovations, and we want , you to protect us from some of the workings of the law. We want you to alter some of the laws that were made in i the past, which affected us as if we were ; children. During Mr Bailance's time "The Native Land Administration Act" was passed by the wish of the natives from Whanganui, round by Gisborne, to Hauraki. Mr Ballance got their opinion, and, the law was passed, but this is a different time, and the thoughts of the people are different. Then they wanted the land awarded to hapus, and commissioners were appointed. Natives outside us hold Crown grants, and we wish our land individualised, we therefore wish a new law should be made. If a special Act could be passed for this district, we can offer suggestions, but we wish one would be passed to bear lightly on all. I would like to say a few words re Ballance's Act. We people here consider it a good one. We hear this Government wish to pass a new one, but we do not know in what direction it will affcct us. This is my objection, they did not let the natives know how it would affect them. The Act I would like is as follows:—"That the Native Land Court Act should be adjusted so that we can easily bring our claims before the court, so that each shall know his piece. Formerly after the court the case was worse than before. That no one should be allowed to sell till he knew his piece to a certainty, when that ha 3 been done, let each do as he likes with his own. That no lawyers be allowed in court, we are very strong on this point. The only troubles about land before the court is among ourselves, but immediately it is adjudicated on, the Government get liens on it. Some lands so done are still in a state of trouble, and the natives do not know how to extricate them. From the first the law seems to be the same till now. The whole cause of the trouble is by Europeans trying to buy the land and they make laws to suit themselves ; that is the cause of the difficulty, that is all I shall say on that point. You have seen, and it is for you to do good to us in this district. We all wish to have a telegraph line here, and someone here appointed to take charge. Taonni : Answer what Ormsby has aaid and then another can speak, Wetere here rose and said he wished to say something about himself. The railway is made to Kuiti and then turns off and I have no roads or bridass and I wish some bridges made. When we want to come here in winter to see you wc shall have rheumatics through swimming the rivers, and those who want to come to the Court cannot do so on account of the bad rivers, I speak of the country between Kuiti and Mokau. I support the request for the telegraph. W. Hughes : A road was laid off in Mr Bryce's time from Kopua to Okorehe station on the line to Te Awamutu, but in Ballance's time it was taken in another direction to Alexandra. It is 15 miles from Kopua to Te Awamutu but seven to Okorehe a shorter distance to cart our crops. The request is only regarding the swamp that it may be filled in, the dry land is all right (Okorehe is another name for Kawa). Jan-.es Edwards : It is correct the road is made from Kawhia to Alexandra, but a waggon cannot go owing to the sharp bends, and we wish you would rectify the matter, for the road is useful to Maoris and Europeans. Te Moanaroa : As roads are the subject I- will speak of the road from Hnntly to Te Akau 25 miles, it does not reach the settlements for it is not finished but three more miles would finish it and I hope you will consider it. Te Rangiar.ini : What Wahanui has said about a new Act is good. I would like to be allowed to name the stations along the line, that at Kawa should be Unu, and that at Kui Kui, Tuki Tana. Rewi Maniapoto : Salutations to you who stand between the two races, it is good the telegraph line should be brought ! here. Taonui: I have something to say about ' Mr Percy Smith, I wish him to come here and receive the money for the survey of the Rohe Potae, £I,GOO. The boundaries j having been altered, the sum should be reduced, but Mr Smith and I will ar- . range matters. Now about Maraoroa, Hurakia, and Other Land : I made applications to the chief judge respecting that land, and he said no rehearing will be granted. I say ' to you it should. It will not do for that , land to remain as it is. I and my people did not go to that court, and that is why ! I ask for a rehearing, which, if not granted, will give rise to great trouble.

Hauauru : Respecting the lands not adjudicated on properly, we wish them reheard. Mr Smith should come here and receive the money for the survey. Herekiekie : What I said to Bal'ance was, do things properly between the two races, Now there is a fresh Minister, and I tell him the same. Let buying cease from one or two persons. If all the people ngree it will bo good Taupo and Waimarino are dead (purchased by Government) owine to sales by single individuals. That is hotv that place has suffered. The lists of names were not conducted properly, neither the subdivisions. I wish all these matters rectified. The railway is good, but the fares are too high, and if they were reduced I would like a line made to Taupo. Ngaonewhcro : I want a station erected between this place and Ilangatiki. \[r Mitchelson then rose and said : The chiefs and people hope assembled, I am pleased to meet you, I caivtc here at the invitations of the chiefs of the Mauiapoto to hear of their grievances, I am pleased to hear the expressions made to-day. From what Mr Ormsby has said I think the proposed amendments by the Government will meet with your satisfaction. The other Acts did not give the satisfaction that was expected, From the petitions sent in' the Government will ask Parliament to repeal the Act of ISS6, and it \yill be necessary to bring forward another in its place. The Govcfnmeqji

intend giving the natives the control of their own lands, for the time has arrived for it. No dealings will be permitted until three months after the land has pissed the Court and anyone wishing to sell can do so on its being shown that they have kept sufficient for their s support, and those who don't want to sell can keep their land. Re the Court : The Government see a great deal of difficulty surrounding the Court, and we want suggestions from tho natives so that we can frame a new Act as we did from those on the East Coast. Mr Ormsliy communicated with me and I shall try and give effect to his wishes. Re lawyers: We have decided to prohibit them appearing in the Land Courts. In the new Aet the Government will retain the pre-emptive right to buy before the Europeans. We intend to repeal the Native Lands Rating Act. Re the wire : I shall bring the matter before the Post-master-Geneeal who will consider it and and if satisfied that it would be advisable he will no doubt do it. Re naming the stations: As I am a native of New Zealand I should like the natives to name the stations as requested, but as the officials are Europeans the names must be easy of pronouneiation. Re the stationmaster : I fear a native or half-caste cannot be appointed unless he was educated under the head stationmaster for the duties. It might then be done. Re roads and bridges : I am at one with Witere, and when the district is settled the Government will no doubt make them as feeders for the railway, if they see they are required. Re the Kawhia road : Major Jackson has already brought it under my notice, and I intend consulting Mr Hursthouse, so that it may be put right. Re the survey : I will consult with Mr McKerrow 011 my return, with the view to sending Mr Smith to arrange the matter, but as there is some dispute, owing to some land being cut off for the Tiowharetoas, and I think it is right some of them should be present then. The Government are desirous in framing their measures to suit all the people in the country, and with that object the proposed bills will be rendered into Maori and circulated so that the natives may be made acquainted with their provisions. Though these bills may be brought in early in the session, they will not be passed till later on, so that the natives may be made acquainted with them, and if I come back during next recess, I hope to find you will be satis-

Hurakia Maraeroa : As it is in the - hands of the chief judge, and he has rer fused, the Government cannot interfere. I Further, I learn it is to be brought before , the Supreme Court, and that is another ' reason why the Government should not interfere, but the natives will have the opportunity of petitioning Parliament. Mr Ormsby did not think the restrie- | tiou of the sale of land under ?> months after adjudication would be sufHcicnt, : for if there were a number of names on the grant there would still be trouble. Lot the land be individualised. He did not approve of the pre-emptive right. He said, with regard to Mr Ballance, that his actions with regard to the natives here were good, and he tried to carry out his promises. Some re.ferencs was made by the natives to the roads alluded to iu tho early part of the meeting. Mr Mitchelson said it would be better to put their requests on paper, and give them to him. With reference to Mr Ormsby's remarks about Mr Ballance he quite agreed with him that Mr Ballance had the interests of the natives at heart. So had he and his Government, and he hoped that the natives would see by future legislation that he meant what he said. Mr Mitchelson was greeted with applause on resuming his seat. Mr Ormsby, in stating that it was desirable to alter the old state of affairs, wished it understood that the alteration from liapu titles to individual ones was because tho ideas of the natives had changed on the matter, and however much the natives round here were satisfied with the hapu titles, if the majority outside desired it, it would be better to bow to their wishes and have them individualised. Deputation at Otorohanga. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Ellis, Hill, Ormsby and Black, waited on the Minister. The deputation was introduced by Major Jackson, M.H.R. Mr Ellis said the present track to Kuiti ran through some of the native cultivations, and the natives had pulled up some of the bridges, and in winter there would be no means of getting there. Mr Hill said it would n®t cost much to put a road through. Mr Mitchelson said he did not know how far the Government would be justified in making roads through native lands. There was no likelihood of any more trains being run than at present, as the two at present did not pay. Reference was made to the contractors experiencing difficulty in getting horses, etc., up or down. Mr Mitchelson said that it was not likely that any more sections would be let at present. It was stated that £50 would do the work, and that the natives would not object to the line being taken through, as they would require the road as well as the Europeans. Mr Mitchelson said that if £50 would do it he would have no objection. Mr Hill said not a penny had been spent by the Government on that road, and that the contractors had doce all at their own expense. Mr Hill wanted to know if anything could be done to put a culvert over a creek between Otorohanga and Alexandra. It was impossible to get through in wet weather, and the road was largely used. Mr Hursthouse could give all information regarding this and the road to Kuiti. Mr J. Ormsby said the school at Ivopua was well attended, the attendance being 33, and many of the creeks were dangerous in winter, and some of the children in going to school, narrowly escaped being drowned. A wire bridge would answer the purpose. Mr Ballance was spoken to on the matter, and the natives were willing to have the roads there surveyed. Mr Mitchelson said he would prefer having a road surveyed, and then he would know what he was doing. Mr Ellis said there was another matter. Ho did not want money, for a sum of £350 was already voted for the purpose. It was for the road between Ivawa and Waotu. The road was good, and if the

money was expended on a bridge over the Waikato river at Te Arapuni it would open up the country. He felt sure that this sum would build the bridge. It would be very useful, as there was plenty of totara timber iu that district, and the bridge would be required in this district for the purpose of getting it transported here. Major Jackson said the distance from Kihikihi to Waotu was very short, about 16 miles, and this bridge would connect the two places, and allow timber to be brought from there. Mr Mitchelson requested the deputation to put their requests iu writing, and he would attend to them. There being no further business the deputation thanked the Minister for his courtesy and withdrew.