29

G.-8,

and two in Kaipara. But Ido not approve of the Eoad Boards, or the County Councils. My Eoad Board is the Kaipara Eailway. When I got tho railway I paid money for travelling. My County Council is the steamer that runs every week. Te Tinana and other Natives did their part by sanctioning the giving of land for the railway. That was his last gift to the Government —the sanction of all the Ngatiwhatua tribe of AVaitemata and Kaipara. The object for which we elected members to the Parliament at AVellington was that they might do good for tho Maori people, but they have neglected doing anything for the tribes. All they want is the honorarium. This Parliament must now be our member, with other tribes that may join us. Apihai te Kawau : I stand up now to complain of grievances. I complain of my two acres of land that the Government have taken, and mv house where lam living. I have just seen a Gazette with my acres in it, and I think that the Government is behaving wrongly in acting in this way towards me. I wish to have the control of my own land. AVharepapa is the name of that piece. I am not certain if it is the Government or private Europeans who are taking my lands. Paul: Unless you are certain that it is the Government that has taken your lands, you ought not to blame them. Apihai: I only condemn the person who is taking my land. I will now refer to the fisheries. It was only the land that I gave over to the pakehas. The sea I never gave, and therefore the sea belongs to me. Some of my goods are there. I consider the pipis and fish are my goods. I have always considered them my goods up to the present time. Hemara Karawai (Kaipara) : I live at Makarau, Kaipara. My tribe are Hauhaus. This Parliament has already gone into the Treaty of AVaitangi. That is over. This house was built for a Parliament. Paul had it built for that purpose, so that all the tribes of the Island may come here and express their grievances. lam still in ignorance what this Parliament is for. I do not know the foundation of it. It was said that it was to inquire into troubles and grievances, but they bave been settled. I now come to the question of the Eoad Boards, commencing at Oruawharo, and they are coming now to Makarau. The Europeans say that the Eoad Boards are coming over all our lands, and that we are to be taxed. I oppose that. I will stick out against it. Let them tax Government lands and the lands of Europeans. Tawhiao has said that the Eoad Boards must not extend over the lands of the Maoris. He says he is against any land being leased or sold. He is against allowing roads and telegraphs through our lands. He will not approve of Crown grants. lam of his opinion. This is my word: If all the assembly adopt the words of Tawhiao, then this Parliament will stand, for Tawhiao is holding the Island. Grey says that the Parliament at Te Kopua is for him and Tawhiao. Henare Eeweti: I have one trouble to speak of in connection with my land at Matakana, extending over to Matakohe. The money which was given me was 6d. an acre. The Government informed me that was the price they gave for land ; but I found that they sold tho land for a great deal more. That was the first land I sold in New Zealand. I have not sold any since up to this time. Some other lands of mine have been sold lately, and my name was put in the deed by other Natives. I see now that the Government wronged me in that first sale. They gave a much higher price to others than they gave to me. I say that the new Government must see into this. I am opposed to Eoad Boards in the District of Kaipara. lam against selling any more lands. I have also to complain that vessels are filling up the creek at Makarau by throwing in the si one which they bring up as ballast. These stones smash the boats of the Natives and Europeans. This new Government should have those stones removed. I am willing that Sir George Grey should go to meet Tawhiao. Let him go and see for himself. Kipa Paenga: lam delighted with what Arama Karaka said in reference to locking up tho lands, and Eoad Boards and Councils. Let those wrongs rest with Mr. Sheehan. I agree to what Te Hemara said, and I will assist in carrying it out. The new Government ought to look into our grievances, and find a way to save the tribes. Let the Eoad Boards be abolished and the sale of land cease. These evils are not only the fault of the Government; it is the Maoris' fault also. If the Maoris find a button off their trousers they seek to sell land to buy more. The Government only take the land when it is offered to them. To Hemara: I wish to enlighten you with regard to doing away with the Eoad Boards. I think, as my friend said, that the railway and the steamers to the^AA^airoa Eiver are sufficient expense to us. I condemn this continual anxiety of the Maoris to sell lands, by which we shall die. But you may bring up the sale of lands, and you cannot stop it. Only when the Courts are abolished can we attempt to stop the sale of lands. There are troubles upon all the Island through these Land Courts. AYe arc to blame as well as the Government. The only fault committed by tho Government is the smallness of the price which it pays for tho land, while private purchasers give a fair price. Now, what I have to say about Tawhiao and Grey is, that when this house was built Grey aud Sheehan came into this house and stood here (by sending their speech). Sheehan said, " Eefer to the words that v,-ere spoken by the old chiefs, and let them be carried out, so that the road may be clear for us." Ngatiwhatua is the tribo that has preserved peace in the Island. Let us all unite to carry out the plans of the Government. Let us endeavour to give effect to Sir George Grey's views. Do not let us go against him and attempt to bring trouble all over the Island. 1 stand here by myself to uphold the words of our ancestors. I have three kings—the Queen, Sir George Grey, and peace. Eeweti: I wish to speak of a matter which concerns the Ngatiwdiatuas who lived near the Kaipara Eailway. Our cattle, horses, and pigs are killed by that railway, and we ought to be paid for our losses. I think also that the shooting of pheasants ought not to be prohibited. I think all the tribes will agree with me that the pheasants should bo killed off. Paul Tuhaere: I will answer you in regard to what you say about the killing pigs and cattle by the railway. It is a law with the Europeans that pigs, horses, sheep, and cattle will not bo protected. If they stray on the railway lines and get killed the owner will not be entitled to compensation. It is owing to your bringing this matter up a second time that I now rise to tell you that there is no compensation. Now, as to the pheasants, they arc birds that are very much valued by the Europeans. It is a bird they use for sport during the season that they are allowed to go out to shoot them. It is not the Maori cultivations alone that are injured by tho pheasants ; tho Europeans also suffer.