G.—4

6

The Native Minister without any hesitation expressed his willingness to pay Tawhiao a visit at his own house, but that in accordance with the etiquette of both Europeans and Maoris, visitors were as a matter of courtesy met by the host of the place they visited. A short time after Honana was again instructed to return to the visitor's party, of whom Major te Wlieoro was the principal native leader, and with him to confer as to the most agreeable way of overcoming this little difficulty. After retiring some little distance they were joined by Takerei te Ran, Aihipene Kaihau, and Te Ngakau ; after some little deliberation, it was agreed that this obstacle should be removed, which was followed very soon after by a deputation from Tawhiao's side, consisting of the chiefs Takerei te Eau, Aihepene Kaihau, Te Ngakau, and Hone Wetere and Tawhiao te Marara, came over and shook hands with the Native Minister, taking their position round about him. In about half an hour Tawhiao himself accompanied by his only surviving sister Margaret, the wife of the chief Te Tuhi, advanced to the tent where Sir Donald McLean was seated, who rose on his approach and met him, and after shaking hands they were severally introduced to the officers of his suite. After seating themselves the usual ceremony of silence prevailed for some little time when, after exhibiting some signs of emotion, he addressed Sir Donald McLean in the following words : —" I have but one word to say to you which is this, appoint a time on which the Governor and yourself shall finally meet us at Te Kuiti." Sir Donald McLean in reply said, " that Kawhia would be a more suitable place for a meeting with the Governor because it would enable His Excellency to come by water, and would moreover have the convenience of his own vessel in which to remain during the time occupied in discussing and finally settling the matter on which he desired to speak." After some consideration Tawhiao replied by saying that he would agree to reserve that point for more consideration, his cousin Honana intimating at the same time through one of the officers present, that he believed there would be little difficulty in making arrangements agreeable to both parties, and concurred with Sir Donald McLean in the proposal made by him, that any further matters would be better considered on the following day, which was unanimously agreed to. At about 4 o'clock, Sir Donald McLean with his party returned to their own lodgings where they were met by Mr. Marshal 1, leaving Major te Wheoro and Paul Tuhaere to spend the night in conference with Tawhiao and his Hauhau chiefs. The chief Taonui of the Ngatiinaniapoto tribe was present throughout the proceedings of the day.

Thursday, February 4th, 1875. Early in the day a letter was received by Sir D. McLean from Te Wlieoro, stating that Tawliiao would visit him at his own quarters, for the purpose of holding a quiet conference on the matter under review. At about 10 a.m. a procession made its appearance, when it was announced that Tawhiao was on his way down accompanied by his principal followers, including Takerei, Tiria Potatau's only surviving daughter, Te Tuhi, Te Ngahiri and all his children. By special request on Tawhiao's part, the meeting was to be as much as possible of a private nature—a request to which Sir Donald McLean readily acceded; those composed of his party consisted of Takerei and Te Tuhi, who are understood to be his confidential advisers, his sister and wife were also present; and on the part of the Government, lie suggested that Major Mair, Te Wlieoro, and Mr. Commissioner Kemp, should be included by Sir D. McLean in the conference. In the meantime, a considerable number of chiefs and Natives had assembled on the ground, representing different sections of the Hauhaus and friendlies throughout the district, and good order and friendly feeling prevailed on all sides. The parties to the conference having met in the order above mentioned, Sir D. McLean invited Tawhiao to speak. After a considerable pause he submitted a question with which he opened yesterday's proceedings, for the further consideration of the Native Minister. The question as to whether the restoration of the confiscated portion of the Waikato could not be carried out so as to enable him to re-occupy the land, and referred at the same time to the abandonment of the military posts within those limits; observing also, that upon the concession of these points on the part of the Government, the way would soon be made clear for the adjustment of all existing difficulties, and the re-establishment of friendly relations with the Government. This statement was made by Tawhiao with much caution and candour, so different from the close reserve hitherto maintained by him, even during the public assemblies of his own people. The question thus put had evidently been thoroughly weighed by himself and advisers ; and, judging from the opinions expressed by some friendly chiefs when briefly introduced on the day previous by Tawhaio himself, was one which it was impossible to avoid on his part without seeming to compromise the interests of his people as a body, and might apparently be construed as a hasty surrender of the claim they had hitherto advanced. Sir D. McLean, while admitting the candour shown by this chief on this the first occasion of his interview with a member of the Government, delivered his reply in so decided a manner as to leave no doubt on the minds of all present that a concession of the kind was quite impossible, and explained that the Parliament of the country had, with the ajjproval of the Imperial Government, long since settled the question; while at the same time, as Native Minister, he was prejaared to do all he could to make such arrangements as were within his power towards bringing about and cementing relations which might be conducive to the interests and well being of both races. Sir D. McLean further intimated that, in the event of Tawhiao and party desiring to hold a location in the Waikato, he was prepared to offer him land on the Waipa, a block of considerable extent having been lately purchased by the Government, or to assist him in building a respectable house in Kawhia, where officers of the Government could more easily visit him, and thus help to preserve his influence as the head of his people, and as having in view the advancement and prosperity of the district, which could only be accomplished by a firm and last-