G.—4,

4

talk to each other, which we are now doing in open day at the threshold of your house. Some portions of your speech I will not now reply to, as I have only just arrived and have had no time for consideration." At the conclusion of this speech Tawhiao stretched out his hand and closed it, a Maori form of evincing satisfaction. A long pause now ensued, during which food was provided by the natives and brought up in neat baskets. At about three p.m., Honana te Maioha, Tawhiao's cousin, came with an invitation for Sir D. McLean to go over to Tawhiao's house for a personal meeting, but Sir Donald McLean answered that in accordance with usual custom visitors were first met and made welcome by the parties who invitedt hem. After a short deliberation among the natives to whom this was referred, some of the chiefs from Tawhiao's side, Takerei te Rau, Ailiipene Kaihau, Te Ngakau, Hone Wetere, and Tawhiao te Marara, came and shook hands with the Native Minister and party, and grouped themselves around him. Shortly afterwards Tawhiao, accompanied by his sister, Tiria, and her husband, Te Tuhi, came up to the tent where sat Sir DonaldMcLean, who rose to receive him, and, after shaking hands, introduced the officers who were with him. After the party had resumed their seats, another interval of silence followed, which was broken by Sir Donald McLean informing Tawliiao that he would be glad to hear whatever he had to say. The reply was to the effect that all he desired was that an appointment should be made for the Governor and Native Minister to meet at the Kuiti. Sir Donald McLean suggested that Kawhia would be the best place, as His Excellency could come there in a steamer, which would be his home during the time which would elapse while the different subjects for discussion and arrangement were gone into. After some consideration, Tawhiao replied that he would be at Te Kuiti. Here the discussion on that point ended, his cousin Honana intimating at the same time, tlu-ough one of the officers present, that he believed there would be little difficulty in making arrangements agreeable to both parties. Sir Donald McLean then returned in the afternoon to Otorohanga, Mr. Hetit's. At an early hour on Thursday, the 4th, numerous Natives were seen coming along the road from Waitomo, and at about 10 a.m. Tawliiao came down accompanied by his principal followers. At his own request the meeting about to be held was to be limited to a few chiefs, and on his side the only persons present besides himself were his wife and sister, Takerei te Rau, and Te Tuhi. The officers with the Native Minister were Mr. Kemp and Major Te Wheoro. When these had met, the Native Minister asked Tawhiao to speak. After a considerable pause he once more submitted for consideration the question of the restoration of the confiscated portion of the Waikato. He said that on the concession of this the way would soon be clear for the adjustment of all other difficulties. This statement was put forward in a straightforward manner, and was evidently made in compliance with the wishes of the Tribe, as it would have been impossible for him to have avoided asking for the Waikato lands. Had he failed to demand them his action 'vould have been regarded by his people as far too hasty a surrender of the claims they had so long kept up upon that territory. Sir Donald McLean, in reply, complimented Tawhiao on his candour during this his first interview with him ; but informed him in the most decided manner that the concessions asked for were impossible. He explained that the Parliament of the Colony, witli the concurrence also of the Imperial Government, had long ago decided the question of taking these lands. On that point there could be no doubt; the lands had passed away from them and could not be restored. The Government, however, were prepared to meet him in his views for the adjustment of any differences. They would be willing to recognise him as the chief individual of his own adherents and tribe within the district where he now exercised authority, and would let him hive a certain number of chiefs of his own selection to assist him in maintaining order and repressing crime. The Government would also build him a suitable house at Kawhia. With regard to land, the Government would be prepared to grant him some on the left bank of the Waipa, which had been recently purchased in anticipation of the present meeting, and some more on the left bank of the Waikato, which was still in their hands. Now that they had met at his invitation, he trusted that this visit was only the precursor of the friendly intercourse desired by all parties. He reminded Tawhiao that from the time of Captain Kent in early days, the Europeans had been protected by his father, Potatau, who had always remained friendly, until differences arose between the two races. On the conclusion of Sir D. McLean's reply, Te Tuhi, who seemed to be acting as Tawhiao's chief adviser, observed that the land, as well as the consideration of Tawhiao's proposals, were matters entirely in the hands of Sir D. McLean, and with him it rested to weigh the subjects. Tawhiao was then left alone with his party to consult. On re-assembling, he remarked that each day would bring forth some fresh thoughts, and that, having met and seen each other, other matters would follow. He further added—" Do not suppose that this is to be your last visit up here. No, it is not; the oftoner you come up here to see us the better." Sir Donald then stated that there was no desire to press Tawhiao for a reply at present until he had ample time to confer with his people and consider the proposals now made. After partaking of refreshments, Tawliiao and his family remained till evening conversing more freely than usual, the reserve of the previous day having worn off, and he frequently expressed to the chiefs his pleasure at the Native Minister's visit, and at what had occurred during the interview. On the Native Minister leaving for Alexandra the next day, Takerei te Rau, when wishing him good-bye, expressed himself as follows :—" EMa (McLean), I have come to wish you farewell. lam going to the Kuiti; differences are now at an end. Tawhiao and you have seen each other, and the road is clear." Thus terminated a meeting which cannot but be considered of great importance to the Colony in more than one sense. In the first place, it was the means of breaking down the barriers of seclusion behind which the Kingite section had for so long kept themselves, and it plainly showed that the feelings of these Natives had undergone a great alteration, and that their wishes were now for a state of peace and amity. Further, it set at rest the question which was of necessity to be propounded by Tawhiao, the restoration of the confiscated lands. The mere fact of the interview with Tawhiao has tended to give