OEEICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

11

P.—No. ■.a.

Salutations to you all. I know that you have gone through great trials, and have shown all the gallantry of your ancestors in war. I, as the Governor and representative of the Queen, thank you, and have now come to visit you at your own homes. The desiro of the Queen is that her Maori and pakoha children should grow up into one. The Queen is also glad that the Maoris lately opposed to each other are now friends, and that they are all now living in peace and harmony with the Government and colonists. I rejoice also to salute Topia Turoa, the stray sheep who has returned to the fold, and who lately fought so bravely for the Queen. I rejoice that the Ngatituwharetoa tribe is now again united through Te Heuheu, Matuahu, and others having submitted to the Government. Thus the Maoris who dwell round the great lake of Taupo now understand the blessings of peace, law, and order. Tou are alread} 7 beginning to reap the advantages of peace by selling the produce of your labor, and procuring the clothes and comforts of the Europeans. To carry these benefits still further, it will be well to make roads like your countrymen elsewhere, and as you propose to do yourselves. The Government will assist with money and tools ; but, mark well my words, the roads are a benefit to the Maori as well as to the pakeha, and the Government will not press the making of the roads through the Native districts if the inhabitants of those districts object. No man need sell or lease his land unless he wishes it himself. The ownership {mana) of the land remains as it always has remained with the Maoris themselves. And now, my friends, I thank you for the hearty welcome which you have given me, and for the loyal speeches. Hare Tauteka has said Governor Grey told him "to keep Taupo together ;" this is correct. I say to you the same —keep Taupo and Ngatituwharetoa in peace and harmony with the Government and other Maori tribes. What Te llerekiekie said on this point was very good—before selling any land lot the title be well ascertained, so that no disputes may arise afterwards. Do as the pakehas do when disputes arise among you about land, or any other matter; resort to the courts, and not to fighting. There was a time when your ancestors were living at Hawaiki. The ancestors of the English lived much as the Maoris now live, but wise and able men arose, and taught their countrymen the arts of peace, to make roads and railways, to build ships, and to found schools. Tou can learn all these arts from the English among you. I recommend you therefore to co-operate with the Government in founding schools for your children, so that they may be taught the language and learning of the English. In this, as in all other matters, you can apply with confidence for the aid of the Government. And now, my friends farewell, and may all happiness attend you. Be sober and industrious, and all will be well with you.

Enclosure 3 in No. 7. The following is a Summaey of the Speeches delivered at Tapitaehabtjbu, April 12th, 1872. Poihipi Tukairangi: This is a welcome and farewell to you, O Governor. This is an occasion on which all should speak out their minds, and I call on all to speak out and hide nothing from the Governor. Let the Governor go away with a full knowledge of our thoughts and wants. Salutations to you, 0 Governor, who have come to cheer us after all our troubles. I have desired to see Europeans settled at Taupo ever since I first saw them in the Bay of Islands when I signed the treaty of Waitangi. But five Governors have come and gone, and it is only now my hopes are being realized. We look upon this as a great blessing. Welcome, O Governor to Taupo, and return in peace to your home. Pawiri Kahia : Welcome, 0 Governor, to Taupo. Come and see for yourself the thoughts of your people, and judge of them for yourself. We are all very much rejoiced at your coming amongst us. I shull ever remain stedfast. We will be the same behind your back as before your face. Go home in peace ; fear not our loyalty. Perenara Tamahiki (Ngatiraukawa) : Welcome, O father and Governor. Here are the Ngatituwharetoa and Ngatiraukawa. We are now for the Government. The tribes from all parts came and troubled and tempted us, and many left for a time, but a few remained with the Government through the troubles that have passed, but those few have gained the victory. The many are now returning. We will ever remain loyal. Manihera :"Welcome, 0 Governor. Come to Taupo. Come and visit the people in the interior of the island; they are all now with you. Hori Tauri: Welcome, O Governor. Come and see Ngatituwharetoa and Ngatiraukawa. Come to Taupo. It cheers us to see you at Taupo. Hami : Come, O Governor, to Taupo and Tongariro. Come and see Tongariro mountain, Taupo lake, and Ngatituwharetoa tribe. Heuheu in former times was our chief, but he has long been dead. We look now to you as our chief and Governor. All those chiefs of former days that you may have heard of are dead. Poihipi and Hare Tauteka are now our elder chiefs, but you are chief and father. You now possess all the mana. Putene (Ngatiraukawa) : Come, 0 Governor, and see your people living inland—Ngatituwharel oa and Ngatiraukawa. We now all come to Taupo as a centre, and so learn what to do, and we are now come to Taupo to meet you and to hear from you what we should do. Tukorehu Mawiao: Come, 0 Governor. (Song of welcome.) Come, 0 father, for you are our guide. Come to Taupo. This tribe are all now with you. Panimi Kararnu: Come to Taupo. W^ are but few. During the past years nearly all left you ; now all have returned to you. Taupo and Tongariro are yours. Poihipi llaroinatangi: The Ngatituwharetoa chiefs will take care of their people, and see that no mischief arises within their boundary. The boundaries of Taupo district are these :—Commencing at Horohoro, thence to Arowhenua (near Titiraupenga), Wharepukunga, Maraeroa, Tuhua, round by the back of the mountains to Te Eongaroa and Tamarunui to Euapehu, on to Euahine and Titiokura, thence to Heruiwi and back to Horohoro. Let chiefs of other tribes be responsible for the good conduct of their own people. They must not interfere with us.