E—No. 1

SPEECHES AND LETTERS OF NATIVE CHIEFS. it by their assent that Te Porepore became the property of William King when he returned from Waikanae ? Was it by their own permission that Te Hurirapa became the property of his children when they returned from Waikanae — which has been taken away by the soldiers'? Was it by their permission that our lands inherited from our ancestors, became our property — which lands have all been taken from us at the point of the sword 1 In my opinion, such an assertion is like deadly poison. According to the opinion of the Land Commissioner of Taranaki, Teira was quite justified in asserting his right to sell the whole of that block, and William King was utterly wrong (in denying it.) In our opinion, Teira's act was a great crime, and nothing can be said in his behalf which, can hide his unjust act. * * * (Sess. Pap. Gen. Assembly 1860, E, No. i.)

NATIVE .SPEECHES, &C.