E—No. 9

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF

is sufficiently advanced to permit of his taking a share in the English Jury, or whether it would be advisable to delay the exercise of this privilege till the Native race is better qualified for it. You may choose between these alternatives :—Either signify your approval of the suggestion of Mixed Juries, or recommend the postponement of such a measure. I have nothing more to say on this subject at present. I will only repeat that the matter now rests in your own hands. Any matured suggestions that you may have to make will be communicated by me to the Governor for his consideration. ( Vide Appendix.) I wish now to call your attention to another subject. The Governor has directed me to explain to you the English mode of succession to property. At present the Maories have no definite law to regulate the disposal of the property of deceased persons, and consequently there is much confusion and much trouble. One man claims the property and then another claims it. Both parties may have some right to it, and neither of them will waive his claims. Thus difficulties arise. The Governor suggests that you should consider whether the English law of succession to property might not advantageously be adopted by yourselves. As I remarked on a former occasion, the old men are passing away. Paikea, Te Amohau and a few others, are all that remain. Those who are versed in ilstori law and usages are disappearing. Their children must take their place. The ancient land-marks and boundaries will not be known by the children. This will give rise to endless confusion, unless some new system is adopted. Let some new law be recognised, so that when your relatives die there will be no difficulty afterwards in disposing of their land and other property. Do not suppose that a system of this kind would be difficult. It is very simple. While a man is in health he will consider to whom he would wish his property to go in the event of his death. He will put his decision on paper, stating clearly to whom this tiling shall belong and to whom that thing shall belong. He will then sign it in the presence of two witnesses. The last wishes of the testator will thus be known, and will be strictly observed. A man's property is at bis own disposal, and he may therefore bequeath it to whomsoever he will. If the man be possessed of land he will ascertain the boundaries and define them clearly in his Will, i n order to prevent any subsequent inconvenience. When a man dies intestate all the property goes to the eldest son ; if be dies, then to his eldest son, but if the eldest son has no issue, it goes to the second son of the deceased ; or if there be no male issue it is divided amongst the daughters ; and if there be no issue at all, it gees to the father of deceased. If the father be duad, the property goes to the eldest brother of deceased, or to his issue. If there be no brother the property will be equally divided amongst the sisters of deceased. This law has been adopted by the Pakeha to prevent litigation about property after a man's death. I have explained this to you that you may know the rules observed by the Pakeha. When this law appears in the Maori Messenger you will be able to look deliberately and form a judgment on it. } J ° The Governor is anxious that these subjects should be fully explained to you, as it is not desirable that you should be ignorant of Pakeha usages and customs. I have nothing more to say at present. Speeches were delivered by the following Chiefs, viz.: Tahana furoa, Kaniwhaniwha, Wiremu Te Wheoro, Te Waaka Te Ruki, Hetaraka Neio, Hftaraka Te Tahiwi, Te Kerue, Kuruhou, Tamehana Te Rauparaha, Kihari, Tamehana Te Rauparaha (2nd speech), Hapurona Tohikura, Tohi Te Ururangi, Parukaia Te Tuahau, Te Manihera Ruia, Paor t Tuhaere, Wiremu Nero Te Awaitaia, tlonatana. In conclusion a few explanatory observations from the Native Secretary. Meeting adjourned to the 3rd instant. FRIDAY, 3rd AUGUsT, I SCO. The Native Secretary observed that it was the Governor's wish that the Chief* of the Conference should be made acquamted with h» add,ess to the House of Representatives on the P recedu>« Monday. Some hfteen or twenty of them we « admitted to the floor of the House, and had thert

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