THE GOVERNOR'S TRIP TO THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1891, Page 7

THE GOVERNOR'S TRIP TO THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

His Excellency tho Governor seems to take the greatest pleasure in malting himself fully acquainted, nob only with the European portion of the colony over which be rules as Her Majesty's representative, but also displays the warmest interest in all thab pertains to the ancient New Zealander, aud that portion of his domain into which the white man has nob even yeb introduced his civilising influences. To be the first Governor who penetrated the Urewera country is a distinction to be proud of, and when there came to His Excellency a most cordial invitation to visi. the chiefs of that almost unknown portion of the Auckland province ho gladly accepted, notwithstanding the fact that by so doing ho entailed upon himself a journey associated with a good deal of discomfort, if not hardship. ARRIVAL AT MERCER. The Governor and party left by the 9.35 train from Auckland on March 16, there being a special carriage attached for the accommodation of these distinguished passengers. The party consisted of His Excellency tho Governor, Lady Onslow, Lady Charles Scott, Miss Gardner, Captain Guthrie, Mr Walrond, Hon. Mr Cadman, Mr Bate (Secretary), Mr Lewis (Under-Secretary for Native Affairs), and press representatives. The ladies did not go beyond Rotorua, where thoy awaited the return of the party. THE UREWERA TRIBE. The Urewera tribe is ono of tho strongest and most powerful in the North Island, but one comparatively unknown to settlers of the present day. They live many miles inland from the East Cape, and they havo been amongst the last of tho Maoris to meet with Europeans on anything like friendly berms. Ib was with the Ureweras that the famous old warrior Te Kooti took refuge in 1869, when he was being bunted from place to place by Colonel Whitmoro, Colonel Macdonnel, Major Kemp, Major Eopata and others who, in their eagerness to avenge the perpetrator of many bloodthirsty outrages, risked their own lives again and again in a hopeless attempt to capture the fugitive. It was from the Urewera country thab To Kooti made his raids upon several of tho adjaconb settlements, and it was there lie retreated after accomplishing his horrible assaults upon tha weak and defenceless. In 1874, the late Mr Samuel Locke, Native Land Purchase Commissioner, paid a visit to Ruabahuna to sottlo a boundary dispube bebween tho Urewera and Wairoa tribes. He was accompanied by Mr Roberb Price, who has published amosbinberesbing little book entitled " Through the Urewera Country." He says: "Tho old manners and customs of the Maoris are fast dying out, and the Urewera is the only tribe remaining that still practise in all their original and diabolical looking character, those ceremonies which to the savago aro perhaps as dear as the brutal sports and games in which cur forofathers delighted in those good old times that happily have passed away for over. The men are of large stature and extromely muscular, and the tatoo markings are cub deeply on their faces, the dye used being a blue, and some of the faces of the old chiefs seen from a distance look as if they had roceired a coat of purplo - coloured paint. Very few of them have European clothing, native manufactured mats being quite as common as the blanket. They are handsomely designed and beautifully made. Children of"all ages literally swarm in the setbleinent, girls, from new-born infanbs upwards ; the children of both sexes up to the ages of seven or eight run aboub quito naked, and very many of tho women havo merely a rag of a blanket for a covering. The Urewera tribe aro wealthy in food, and industrious in obtaining it, bub in every other respect thoy are in poverty. They have no money, and they do nob know its value." THE PRESENT VISIT. Tho Urewera natives are now ab peace with both tho Europeans and wibh tho Wairoa natives, with whom they were formerly ab enmity ; but their country has hitherto been visited almost exclusively by Government agents, the natives being extremely suspicious of strangers. They have heard of Lord Onslow, and are apparently exceedingly desirous that ho should visit them. The invitation was a most pressing one, and was signed by all tho chiefs, and a denial would no doubb have been regarded as a slight. The Governor and Ladies Scotb and Onslow, Miss Gardiner, Mr AValrond and Mr Guthrie left the train ab Okoroire, and drove three miles to the Hot Springs. Ib was dark before they arrived. The hotel was gaily decorated with Japanese lanterns.

Tho Governor's party immediately proceeded to the baths. Lady Onslow tried the hottest iron batb, the temperature being 113. Miss Gardiner had the next hobbest iron bath, 105.

The Governor and Messrs Walrond and Guthrie all experimcnbed with tbe sulphur open-air babhs, the temperature of which is about 98. The baths were all in magnificent order, and were much enjoyed. Everyone of the gubernatorial parsy dined at bhe table in the public room with aboub fifty visitors from Auckland, the South Island and Australia, and spenb tho evening till about nine on the balcony of the hotel. It was too dark to sco any of the sconery, though tho moon and oho good elesr sky give hopes of fine weather. Before ten the whole party had retired for the night. The Governor and Messrs Walrond and Guthrie were up ab six o'clock on the 17th and bathed in the hottest baths. It was a beautiful morning, sunny and bright, with heavy clouds hanging back to the southward, which seems to fortell stormy weather. Tho Governor, Hessrs Guthrie and Walrond started ab seven o'clock fco ride to Roborua. Lord Onslow and party arrived at Rotorua •a the afternoon, and went on to Whakarewarewa, where the ladies remained. RECEPTION BY THE UREWERAS. The party were in doubt as to whab kind of reception they would get at tho bands of the Ureweras, and it was nob at all encouraging to learn thab Te Kooti excrci3e3 enormous What he has to say to the representatives of Her Majesty now is matter affording food for thought; Te Kooti, I learn, influence over tho natives. Ha has been pardoned by tho Govornmonb for his many murderous acts, and his arrests and imprisonment in Mounb Eden Gaol on the occasion of his abbempted expedition to Poverty Bay mnsb be still fresh in memory to old warriors. Te Kooti is regarded by the Uriweras as a greab prophet, and that tribe has almost wholly embraced his peculiar religion. Te Kooti's career is nob Hauhanism, but a religion purely his own. Ib is based °a a form of worship observed by tho Church of England, and stated briefly may be summed up in a word. There is but one God, and Te Kooti >s his prophet. Te Kooti, however, goes so far as to claim thab ho can aid, and does bewitch people, and on the whole has a great influence over the natives, although he ia noli chief of. Urewera

or even one of thab tribe. The Urewera country extends from the confiscated boundary beyond Whakatane and Opotiki, so far south as Wakarnoana Lake, situated about half way between Poverty Bay and Taupo. Ruabaki, which has been fixed on for tho native meebing, is only a couple of milc3 outside the confiscation boundary, and is situated on tho Whakatane river, which has its rise in the Urewera country. THE LAKE TRIP. Leaving Rotorua township ab 10 a.m. on the 13th in the steam launch the Governor and party proceeded across the lake, and passing through a narrow channel gob into Lake Rotoiti, this being the firsb occasion that a steamer has been on Rotoiti. Lord Onslow and the ladies of the party walked overland from Rotorua to Rotoiti, then re-embarked and continued the trip across Rotoiti in the launch.

Tho water throughout the journey was smooth as glass and tho weather beautifully fine. The distinguished visitors had a splendid view of the more notable places of interest en route. A landing was effected at Ruato on the further shore of the Lake, where the party had lunchand wero joined byOuideMaxwcll, who brought round both riding and packhorses, tho latter being laden as for a six months' cruise. The ladies returned to Rotorua by the steam launch. AT TE TEKO.—MEETING WITH TE KOOTI. The Governor and party left bhe camp on bho borders of Lake Rotoiti ab seven a.m. on tho 19th, leaving the men to follow with the pack horsoe. They procooded through a dense bush for the first part and barren country for the latter part, bhe ground being still deeply covered with ashes which were spread over tho country at tho time of tho Tarawera eruption. When the Governor had reached Haehaerengi he met Te Kooti and a small party of followers bound for Waikato to attend a largo native meeting there next week. To Kooti and party were camped by the sido of tho creek. On being interrogated by Mr Lewis, ho expressed a wish to sco the Governor. Te Kooti had just arrived there from Urewora via Te Teko. He was well dressed in European clothing with a large straw hat, mid looked well pleased ab meeting His Excellency. To Kcobi shook hands with all the Governor's party, aftor which ho book part in conversabion wibh tho Governor, Lewis interpreting. To Kooti said, " I am very glad to soo you, I havo nothing further to say at presenb, but simply welcome you." Lord Onslow replied, " I am o'oligod to you for the welcomo you havo accorded to me." To Kooti said : "I am going to Waikato. I would voiy much like to see you at Otorohanga." Lord Onslow replied : " I was at Otorohanga when you were there last year. You had an opportunity of seeing me then, but did not avail yourself of ib. lam not likely bo geb there again." To Kooti: "Thab was during bho timo tho Government were proceeding againsb me. Thab would havo been quito oub of bhe quesbion then." Lord Onslow : " If I go to Otorohanga again I will lob you know, and you will bo able to see mo. Arc thero many natives at Rnaboki ?" Te Kooti : "Aboub2oo. Many moro were thero, bub most of them have gono away." Lord Onslow : *' I am glad of tho opportunity of seeing you." Ho here shook hands with To Koobi, as did others of tho party, and the journey to To Teko was resumod. Near the conclusion of the journey tho ground was covered with ashes without any sign of vegebation, bub a strong growth of manuka. The abmosphero was thickly impregnated with dust containing a largo proportion of sulphur, and sulphur could bo seen in large quantities in heaps, having been dug oub of the ground for exportation. To Teko was reached at bwo p.m. The Governor was accorded a very warm reception by tho natives, who prepared an arch of welcome, and also performed a dance of welcome. It was decided that tho party should camp there for the night, and proceed to Ruatoki noxt day. While ab To Teko, To Kooti had several moebings, ab which arrangemenbs for tho Governor's reception wore made, affording evidence of good feeling by the natives towards Lord Onslow. MEETING WITH NATIVES. At Te Teko His Excellency the Governor and Native Minister were presenb ab a nabivo meebing. The Governor and parby occupied chairs in front of the local store, while the natives assembled in a semi-circlo, about a hundred in number. To Paneti, an ancienb-looking nabivo of bho Ngabiwa tribe was the firsb speaker. He was half-clad, and with his eyes wildly rolling he paraded, somebimes before the Governor and party, yelling excitedly "Haeremai Te Governor," repeating this over and over again in a most monotonous fashion. He then condescended to inform the Governor bhab bhe nabivos did nob know the meaning of his visib there. There were, he added, a fesv of them present, bho majority being dead. He then welcomed the Native Minister and Mr. Lewis, saying " come to the land that suffered," quaintly adding, bhe Nabive Minisber is not in office for ever ; come see us, ho who is respected by all the people of the country. Tamehanepaewaka, who flourished a fanciful canoe paddle, which ho was very anxious bo sell, also made an excibable speech commencing wibh a one-sided compliment. Welcome ! You people who aro swallowing our land to bring along seed— good seed and bad seed. Welcomo, Governor ; como to gather all us people together or not. He then sang an ancient song ot welcomo, and added, come along and ccc whether we can derive any benefib from your visib or nob. I do nob think I can receive much consideration. He wound up eventually with a war dance.

The third speaker was a quiet-looking native, who heartily welcomed tho Governor, Native Minister, and others. It was, ho eaid, right for them to come and look over the district they had charge of. The Governor had taken the trouble to come and see them, and all their grievances would bo laid before him. He concluded by saying to the Governor : " Salutations to you, God watch over you ; to you the father of the great and small, our love to tho Queen commenced years ago, and has been carried on to the presenb time. There have been a good many governors before you, but they never visitod the natives. That is why we are so pleased to sco you, representative of Queon Victoria, our great chieftainess, welcome. May you live in peace." Matetira, alias Methuselah, a very ancient looking Maori, welcomed the Governor as the father of tho widows and orphans. Ho then asked have you seen the road you came along and the road on the other side. There is no bridge, no road, no nothing. How can you expect us, our children, and the old women to come along thab road. We must ask you for some money to get this done. The roads are open to you. No one will interfere; go where you please." The next native orator caused a smile by welcoming the visitors as: "You whales that come from the sea." He added : "We understand you aro going to see the Tohois (Urewera natives), the obstructing tribes in the country." Rawere Kirirapi welcomed tbe Governor whose arrival would be remembered as a red letter day by them. He asked him to regard them as the people who wero suffering, laid down by grief. The Governor replying, said : Thank you for your kind reception ; though many governors coma to New Zealand they'are

all sent by the same Queen and Queens. The feeling towards all her subjects never changes. I feel particularly anxious to visit as many of the natives as I possibly could, in order thab I may toil them, personally, of tho love tho Queen has for her people. I have been to Otorohanga and have seen tho natives there. Now'l have come to see you. lam going to see Tohois Urewera, which you say is tho most obstructing tribe, in order that there may be no tribe I havo nob seen, and take the Queen's word to them. lam sorry for the results of the Tarawera eruption as affecting this people. 1 have come to see nob only thorn, bub also your mountains, your country. I have brought with me, the Native Minister. His special power is over tho native people of Now Zealand, to whom all your complaints may be made. I will leave tho question of bad roads to him to deal with. 1 thank you for tho welcome yon have given mo on behalf of the Queen, whose representative I am.

Hon. Mr Cadman thanked the natives for the kindly welcome oxbended to himself and the Governor, and said it was his desiro to acb as friendly as possible to tho natives. It, was not an oilicial visib, but he would bo happy to hear carefully and consider any grievances they had. Thoy complained of having no roads or bridges. Ab Tikitere tho natives had offered opposition to the construction of reads, lie wished thorn to understand thab if he undertook to try and give effect to their wishes, they must assist as far as possible, and have roads and bridges where thoy aro fixed by the Government engineer. One of bhe speakers had referred to Mr Bailanco. Ito said ho would like bho natives to feel now that Mr Rallunco was Premier ol his Ministry, and would also be friendly disposed to the natives. Ho drew attention to tho putting of the native lands through tho Court, and the fact that tho process frequently swallowed up thoir whole value. 110 said it was the desire of the Government to legislate so as to bring about an easier and less costly way for the natives. He hoped tho native members would bo found to assist to bring about somo such satisfactory state of things.

When tho korero had concluded, darkness had sob in. Tho baggage, etc., nob having arrived, tho Govornor and party had tea at tho hotel, where His Excellency put up for the night, intending to start for Ruatoki early uu Friday morning. The DEPARTURE FROM TE TEKO. Tho Govornor and party loft. To Teko at seven a.m. on the 2Gtli and swam tho horses over tho river. They rode to Poro Poro, arrivine there ab 0.45, and wero there meb by the advance guard of the Ngatiawa bribe, who waved a union llagand conducted tho party to tho settlement. On arrival there the natives assembled in front of the mooting house to welcome the Govornor. A dance of welcome was exoeuted by natives almost naked, who also fired a volley with riiles. About fifty native children sang the National Anthem in English and then the korero commenced. ll'oni Tuemata welcomed tho Governor, inviting him to stay in his all nighb. If the Governor would nob stay ho would tie him up. Mokoi Rewcro Porewera Manuera and Mati Tamati, the local preacher, also spoke a word of wolcome of an ordinary character. Te Hemere said it was nob ho who caused their lands to bo lost,but Tuhois (Uriwera). A Uriwera nativo said it was well for tho Governor to sco tho Urowcra tribe, and como to bo friendly with them. The Govornor replying, thanked the people for the welcomo given to him, and for bho salute fired, and also for tho invitation to stay with them over the night. The Urewora had appointed this day to him ab Ruatoki. They had been thero a long timo, and if thoy had to wait much longer would not havo onough to oat. Therefore thoy must go on immediately. Although their old men wero passing away, thero wero plenty of strong young men around bhem. Tho Govornor also assured thoin of tho Queen's a fleet ion for them.

The Native Minister also expressed his thanks on behalf of tho Government for tho reception given to 1 lis Excellency and bis friends. It was tho intention of tho < .'overnment to bring a warmer fooling into existence betweon the Europeans and natives. Tho Governor also thanked Mr Prittain, schoolmaster, for tho reception prepared by the nativo children, and gavo thcin a holiday on tho occasion. Ab Poroporo the parby woro joined by MrKolly, M.H.R. ARRIVAL AT RUATOKI. The Govornor and party left Poroporo ab 7 on Friday morning and proceeded to Ruatoki via Whakatane, tho road passing en route tho sceno of many conflicts between tho natives and Europeans in tho early days, notably a spob on the Whakatane River, where Te Kooti and the friendly natives foughb soon after his escape from Chathams. Near Poroporo wore seen the remains of Te Kooti's defences, and further on, through tho Urewera country, the scenes of many battles botween Te Kooti and Europeans wore pointed out. On either side of tho road, as tho patty passed through, they saw splendidlieldsof rcaizo for export for which Whakatane is famous. A halt was mado ab Gould's Sheop Station, whore Mr Grant, tho manager, kindly orovided the party with a most accepbable lunch. THE CONFISCATION BOUNDARY was reached aboub noon. Ib is marked by a post - and - rail fence. Hero tho Governor and party were met by the c.dvanco guard from the Urowcra with a Union Jack and as they got a short distance further on the road they came up with a party of aboub a dozen sparsely clad natives who sang a song of welcome. Thoy gradually retraced their steps until Ruatoki was reached about two o'olock. Here wore found some two or tlueo hundred natives assembled in all sorts of fantastic attire and a party of aboub twenty stalwart warriors. On seeing the Governor they commenced a dance of wolcome, which was given most excitedly. Thoy also fired a volley with rifles, and then preceded His Excellency to the village, where aboub two or three hundred Ureweras wore assembled, all dressed specially for the occasion, notably aboub forty picked men and women, tho former vory scantily clad, Tho Governor and party were escorted to an opon tent, under which mats had been spread. They took a very lowly position on the ground, and watched further proceedings. Tho natives, forming a double line, first DANCED A HAKA very indifferently just to open the proceedings. Then thoy sang ono of the usual Maori songs of welcome, and that accomplished, the korero began. Nearly all tho speakers were mon of standing in the village, and without exception thoy accorded the Governor and party a most cordial welcomo, nob only to Ruatoki, but wherever ho chose to go throughout thoir country. . „ , , I Kerereu, tho first speaker, said: "baluta-1 tion to you all; Welcome to the Governor. You have come to us in accordance with our love. There is no trouble between us. Let me take care of you. I should like you to come and toll us these hidden things. I have not very much to say, ib is our desire to see you tfnd expose our good feeling towards you. My greatest desire is that you should see our land and that you should see us. Tho Governor and his servants have met. I am a stranger to you, and you to me but we have meb. God is in Heaven since we aro on earbh balking." Tutekinatou said : "Welcome; come and see this bad people, Welcome, my father j welcome to Tuhoo. Ib is good for you to come. Wo have been looking for you, You havo come. Wo will ho glad to

learn whether it is to benefit us or otherwise. This bad people look to receive benefib ab your hands. Welcome to Tuhoe and to our presence." Makarini said : "Welcome to Ruatoki, wolcome to Tuhoe. Comoandseeyourpeople who do not know and do nob understand you, that they leain something to-day." Wataraka said: "You sco the Urewera before you. Welcome Governor. lam glad you have come to visit Puhoi. You will sco wo are more like Maoris than any otherpeople in ihe country. There is nothing of the pakeha about us ; we are more glad to see you, bub I have nob much to say, only to welcomo you." Mata said : " Salutations to you, and to a greab number ot Europeans accompanying you. You are welcome to go where you aro going and whero you go. This ia bhe remains oi: one tribe. You may think there aro a great many moro people, but there are nob. We havo very libtle land. The rest ol our land has been destroyed by fire. Como see bhia people, and judge whether they aro bad or otherwise." Wereoern, a Taupo native, said : " I am very pleased to soo you in Whakatane. Welcomo to Whakatane. Come and see Whakatane, tho depopulated. I am pleased at your visit." Ilakoke said : " Salutations to you ! Welcome to Ruatoki ! Welcome to Whakatane ! Welcome to Tuhoe—a people you have treated very well in tho pasb and up to the present. Welcome, you father of the world ! These are the peoplo that Sir Donald McLean loved in years past. There is nothing greater in bho world than for us to meet and greet each other. There havo been many events, but they aro nothing liko having you hero to-day." Te Haka and To Hunana also spoke words ol welcome Paora King said: " Welcomo to-day ; wo aro peoplo who live ab the foot of the mountains." Makarini Hone said." Salutation to you and to tho Nativo Minister for bringing you hero to-day. Show up your love." Raku Raku said : " Welcomo to Ruatoki. You are also welcome to Ruatahuna. Hero are not all our pooplo, there aro more people inland. You see tiioso people that you havo been told aro a bad people, thab are nob io bo believed. You havo conic. It is for you to do as you like." Waiwana said : " Welcome your great chiefs of the country. Wolcome you. Wo are all pleased because wo havo nob soon any Governor before, we are glad to see you for that reason. It is well for you to come and sco whether tho Tuhoo aro bad, as represented by other tribes." (Hero tho &peakor interpolated a native song of welcome, and proceeded) : "I am talking to the Governor only. I will .turn the Nativo Minister inside out to-morrow." Te Hoke sang a song of wolcomo, and said :" We are ono. Wo are blessed to have you here to-day, to speak to you aud hoar what you have to say." THE GOVERNOR'S REPLY. His Excellency replying said : " 1 thank you for the wolcome you have given me. 1 havo been over a great part of New Zealand and havo seen nearly all of the native tribes in this country. They all welcomed mo most warmly, bub nono more warmly than tho tribe which you say is called bad. I see that whatever you have thought in the pasb wo are friends now. I hope we shall always be so, both Maoris and pakeha. Wo are all subjects of the Queen ; that is all. I am now going away, and shall nob see you again." This concluded bho korero. Tho most important men of the tribe shook hands with the Govornor and tho Native Minister, ono savago taking tho liberty of rubbing no<-os with Lord Onslow, Mr Cadman and Air Lewis. Tho Governor evidently did nob cxpocb this ovidonco of fraternal affection, bub never flinched in tho least, and did his bhare of rubbing with a good deal of quiet humour. Subsequently nearly the whole of the natives, including a number of very fine-looking men and somo really good-looking girls filed into line and matched pasb tho Govornor and party, shaking hands with each of the visitors. Tho Governor, Native Minister, and party returned to Gould's and spent the night there, in ordor to bo able to get oub again oarly next (Saturday) morning, to take advanlago of tho invitation givenby the Uroworas to go into the intorior. Lord Onslow proposed to spond bhe morning seeing

THE SIGHTS OF THE COUNTRY along tho banks ot bhe Whakatane River, going as far as time would permit, so that ho might return to Ruatoki for tho big kororo on Saturday afternoon. SATURDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. Saburday's evonb commenced with a visib by tho Governor into the interior. He sbartod aboub nine o'clock, accompanied by tho Hon. Mr Cadman, Lord Ancrum and others, all on horseback. Ib was expecbed that the korero arranged for tho afternoon would start early, bub ib was after three before tho Maoris mado any sign of willingness to commence business. Then a party of about fifty natives retired to awhare. They presently ro - appeared, having got rid of a great deal of clothing. The women wero fairly-well clad, generally in white or coloured skirts, and the men were bedecked with email strips of calico wound round tho loins. Most of them brandished meres or weapons, and the men and women had a dob of blue on each check. They performed a liaka, which was interpreted a kind ot welcome to the Governor, but the performance, on the whole, was of a very ordinary character, the natives not having had opportuniby for rehearsal. While the haka was in progress, Lord Onslow obtained two photos of tho group, and several were also procured for publication in the

NEW ZEALAND "GRAPHIC," together with other scenes descriptive of bho Governor's visit. The Maoris looked at the camera very suspiciously, but made no objection until"after sufficient had been procured, and then ib wa3 taken down at the solicitation of one old-looking warrior, who said the machine made him feel very uneasy. The KORERO THEN COMMENCED,

and passed off very satisfactorily. Tho following aro speeches delivered ab Ruatoki on Saturday. Roreru said that yesterday they were welcoming the Governor. To-day they were welcoming the Native Minister; it was well that he had accompanied tho Governor. They wanted to see whether ho was going to be friends with them or not. They wero now going to lay their grievances before him. Numea, ono of the leading chiefs, who is said to be tho coming man among the ■ Urewera, said that their object in asking the Governor to see them was that they wanted to soe him and make his acquaintance, and also to hoar what he had to say to the tribes under which they had suffered. Their first grievance was thab the Urewera had no small space of land in Whakatane upon which thoy could squat when tbey go there to deal with the Europeans and to attend the Land Courb. Now they had no place to stop at Whakatane and had to live on the rocks. Therefore the Tuhoe had resolved when they saw the Governor to ask him to give them a pieco of land to squab upon when they visited Whakatane. The Tuhoi had made enquiries about a field they gonorally camped upon. It was number 27, and contained 22 acres, Ib would be a great treat for them to be able to go to the seaside and get the fish of the. 6ea. Most of the tribes in New Zealand had small pieces of land in several townships. The Tuhoe had nothing of the kind, and for this reason they often losb their saddles and bridles ab Whakatane. Thab

was all they had to say on that point. The next mabter was the tribal boundaries ot the Tuhoe. They wanted the Government to get that boundary, that no other tribe could claim the land itiside that boundary. The reason for request was that as long as the boundary was in the presenb indifferent position persons in other tribes got European surveyors to go in and make surveys, when they had no right to do so. Tho third subjecb referred to was a, piece of land ab Ohiwa called Wainui. They wanted the Government to give the Tuhoe this piece of land. Their reason for asking this was that greab numbers of bhem went to Ohiwa to fish, and tliey had no land thero. Tho object oi the Tuhoes in asking for thab land was that it might bo a placo for To. Kooti and members of the tribo who aro with him. Te Kooti had no land. It would be a sorb of sea-sido residence, where thoy would gob a change of food. There were hundreds of acres there belonging to the Government. Tho fourth subject referred to a piece of land ab Waikai'6inoasia named Whareama. There were three hundred acres there which formerly belonged to tho Tuhoe. Ib projected into the lake, and the confiscation lino passed through it. Tho tribo wanted the Government to give them that piece of land. There were cultivations there, and tliey caught crayfish in the lake in tho oldoi days. Their ancestors used to go there and collect food. These were the subjects he had to brinsr forward.

Heteraka VVhakauna, another prominent chief, said his grievance was of a diiierent nature to that of the others. His grievance commenced before the time tho law was made in 1875. It referred to the sections of the Urewora tribe, who had been on the Government side It was well known that ho and his hapus had remained loyal to tho Government when the confiscation land was included, and on the other sido of the lino was returned to the peoplo who had remained loyal ab the time of To Kooti's appearance. His peoplo had all their cattle and horses taken away by tho Hauhaus at the timo when tho land was distributed among tho friendly nativos. He was not aware that this was going to bo done. When ho discovered it some years after, ho brought ib under the notice of the Government and Mr Ballance, bub he got no satisfaction. He had subsequently made application, wibh tho same result. All the other friendly tribes had been provided for, bub his hapu, NatirongO, had nob. The land ho wanted originally belonged to.tho tuhoi, bub was included in bho boundary line.

Were-Were, from Taupo, said his land? had been confiscated like tho resb, although he had done no wrong. Ho had no European blood upon his hands. He had Maori blood upon his hands, bub nob European. That was why ho asked for somo land beyond tho confiscation line. He wanted the Government to show its love for him by giving him some such land. Ho had greab love for tho Governor and his people. Rakuraku, ono of bho leading chiofs, bub with less influence bhan somo of the others, said peace was made, and then the Governmenb senb up Major Mair. The Governmenb woro to have the obher side of tho aukati line, and the Tuhoe this side. We woro to live horo and the Government on the othor side of that line. Tho Tuhoe were not to go into the confiscated lands to steal any of tho Government land, and tho Government would not como on the Tuhoe side to steal any of their land. That was why they, tho Tuhoe people, liked to have nono of tho evil things belonging to tho Europeans, namely, surveying, leases, land sales, roads, gold-prospocting and coming after criminals. It the Government could cabeh criminals outsidetho Tuhoe boundary it was all right, but thoy were not to come after criminals there. The Government laws wero hoc to come on that side of tha boundary. This wa3 whab ho wished to bring to the Governor's notico that day. "You" (theGovernor),hesaid, "areavisitor of tho Urewera, and aro therefore at liborby bo go whore you like, but we are nob in the habit of allowing Europeans into our country either this way or by any othor road. That is one of tho established rules of this tribe. There were two words left by Sir Donald McLean to the natives when we left them ab Whakatane. One refors to the power to sell their land, to preserve their land. Tho Tuhoe havo nothing to do with selling lands, bub adhere bo their decision nob to sell. Europeans musb nob think that because you (tho Governor) have gone where you have been, that anybody else could go. Thoy would be turned back on any road they might come by." Tipeno te Waru, ono of Te Kooti's people from Waiaro, Gisborne, wished to havo a pieco of land at Waiotahi to livo upon. Ho wished for this in order thab he mighb geb some timber bo fence somo land the Governmenb had given him formerly. They had also suflercd by bhe recenb Hoods. All their crops had beon destroyed. He wanted the Government to take into consideration their want of food. This concluded the speech-making on the native side. THE GOVERNOR'S REPLY. His Excellency thon replied and said : I am very much obliged to you for the welcomo you havo given mo, for the welcomo yosterday and for bhe dance to-day. I am obliged to you for bho invitation which you senb me. If you had senb mo an invitation last year I should have come then. The present time was not vory convenient, but as I received your invite I did nob like bo refuse ib because I have been received in a very friendly manner by all bhe tribes in New Zealand, and should nob like anybody to say bhab the Tuhoe wero nob as friendly to bho reprosonbative of the Queen as any of bhe other bribes in New Zealand. I am sure from whab bhey said bhab they quite understand tho difference between the Governor and tho Government. The ono Governmenb represenbs bhe people of New Zealand, and bhe Governor represenbs tho Queen. I have travelled as tho Queen's representative throughoub New Zealand. I havo been received in a friendly manner by the Waikato chiefs and Ngatimaniapoto, and as I was coming along here I meb Te Kooti, and he shook hands in a friendly way. I have heard thab some of thosol have mentioned were ab ono bime ab enmiby wibh tho Queen and her subjects, bub thab was before I came here, and all I know now is bhab everyone I have meb is friendly with the Queen and her representative, and from what I havo seen I am certain this is likely long to continue. The Queen has lately chosen as Governor of_ this and adjoining colonies leading rangatira in England. lam one of these, and there is a gentleman here with me, Lord Ancrum, who is the son of another great rangatira, and wo are glad to sco the rangatira because wo recognise that the same feeline of honour and honesty actuates the rangatira of both countries. I shall not enter into questions which havo been raised by the different speakers, bub I shall confer wibh the Native Minister upon all of them, and none of them will be forgotten. He will advise me whab can be done bo meet them. In any case, they may resb assured thab equal jusbice will be meted oub between all tho Queen's subjects. That is all I have to say, except thab ab some obher bime, probably nexb year, I shall be visibing the Waikaremoana Lake and Galabea, and may be able to see some more of the country. I saw to-day a particularly beautiful country and I was much interested to see the Raneiotepini and to hear the history of it and to see the place where one of your greatancestor3 was buried. All these things of historical interest are as interesting to me as are your manners and customs, and I thank you all for giving me the opportunity of seeing them, and now I bid you all farewell, to meet again another time.

NATIVE MINISTER'S SPEECH.

Mr Cadman said : On behalf of the new Governrnont I desire to thank you for the invitation you have . iven to the Governor, who represents our Queen, and also for the cordial reception you havo given him and his friends. Ho is here, ot course, on your invitation, and I think you ought to feel rather flattered at his coming so soon after you had invited him. The Government feel in giving him this invitation, you, the people ot Tuhoe are holding out the hand of friendship to the Government, and we desire to accept thab hand of friendship in the spirit which ib ia offered. I think you must sco yourselves thab ib is only a question of time when the younger people among you that have moro intimate relations with the Europeans, as they grow older will naturally want to mix more with Europeans rather than live in the country as you havo done, and I think you yourselves should encourage the younger peoplo to mix with the better class of Europeans, aud nob to frequent hotels and be conbinualiy drinking. Let thorn only mix with tiio leading class of Europeans. Then again, as they grow up, bhey will feel by-and-by that they should have been at school. If you don't now see thab thoy attend school, by-and-by they will be dependent upon others who are educated. Tho result will be that your children will be in the background when other tribes who havo educated their children will be in the first row. In talking to you about matters, I. want you to understand this.that you people, the Tuhoe, don't represenb all the natives of New Zealand, and I have bo deal with many other tribes besides you. If, therefore, I grant every request you ask, others will expect similar concessions. Ib will therefore bo impossible to granb all bhe concessions asked by bho natives of bho North Island especially. You will understand therefore that if I refuse anything ib is done in no unfriendly spirit, but it is done because we have a fixed kind of principle in dealing with matters of this nature. First I desire as bhe Minister representing all tho natives of New Zealand bo thank the Governor on behalf of you all for the courtesy and attention he has paid to nativo matters, for the trouble he has taken in visiting so many of the native tribes, and for tho courtesy ho has shown to tho natives generally throughout New Zealand during the short time he has been here. I will deal firsb with tho matter brought up by Rakuraliii. I understood him to say that ho did not want to have any dealings with the lands, that we could take criminals in any other part of tho country except here, and that the Queen's laws would be of no effect horo, but ab the same time others were asking the Governmenb to give them land or make other concessions to them. Now I want you all to understand very distinctly that the Queen's laws must go everywhere in Now Zealand. In so far as your own lands aro concerned thoy are in your own hands, and if you part with, them you have nobody bub yourselves to blame, but you musb understand thab criminals will be taken horo if necessary and the laws be gonoraliy upheld. The first application was for a piece of land at Whakatane for tho natives to reside on when visiting Whakatano, a piece of 22 acres. If you will make your application to me in writing I will bo prepared to grant you tho concession you ask for on cortain conditions. I cannob now tell you the exact condibions, which will be impossible, bub bhoy will bo somebhing to this effect, that tho Tuhoo natives will bo enabled to use this piece of land as long as it is desirablo for the purposes now asked, but it will not bo made over to them absolutely. The Government will still own the land. My reason for nob agreoing to hand ib over bo tho natives is to prevent them from disposing of it in any way which would be injurious bo bhem hereafter, However, if bhey will make application in writing I will see bhab they get an answer immediately I return. The next question was with respecb to the trouble aboub boundaries. Now you yoursehes musb know that ib is impossible to define a boundary lir.o in any direction without a survey. I do not see how the request can ba granted unless you have the land surveyed and put through the Court. That seems to bo the only way you can define your boundary and prevent disputes arising hereafber. And then, with respect to the third matter, the request for a piece of land ab Ohiwa called Wainui. That is a. mabter I cannob answor ab once. Id is a matter the other members of the Government will be required to be consulted aboub before I can give you an answer. I will bake a note of it, and when I fro back I will consulb with the Premier and other members of the Governmenb, and bhen will write to you their decision. Then, with respect to another piece of land of 300 acres at Waikaromoana. This land, you say, used to belong to yon, but was confiscated. I cannot sco why tho Government should give you this 300 acres for nothing, any more than the Government should ask you to give them 300 acres of your land here. If it is absolutely necessary for you to havo it, I shall be prepared to favourably consider an application to exchange another piece of land for it, but 1 cannot consent bo give you the land for nothing. Then with respect to the application made by HetarakaThis is a very old claim, and I fear if those old claims were again opened up there would bo no end of them. I therefore desire to say nowthab I cannob re-open the old claims. Then, with respect to the confiscated land, that is also a very old case, many yearß before I came into office, and I think it too late to consider it. With respect to tho application made by Te Waru theque3tion is not one affecbing thi3 disbricb, and! don'b propose bo have anybhing bo say bo ib before this tribe. With respect bo your application for land from the Government, the Governmenb have been acquiring lots of land all over the country for sebblemonb purposes. Why don'b tjie natives themselves go in and take up the land on the same terms as the Europeans ? They have jusb as much right to do so as Europeans. I only ask you to talk this matter over among yourselves by-and-by. This is all I have to say to you now, bub if there are other matters which you desire to see me aboub in the course of time, I shall be quite prepared to come here and consult with you, but you mufb undersband bhat I will not come here upon every trifling question which may bebroughbup. Ifthematters are important to the Tuhoi and you, give me ample notice. I will be prepared to come and meet you again. NATIVE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Hetaraka returned his warmesb thanks for the speeches of the Governor and Native Minister. The Tuhoe were very pleased with what had been said. He had listened with great satisfaction to the way in which tho Native Minister replied to the questions submitted to him' by the Tuhoe. Tukekanohn, one of the leading chiefs, then came forward and asked that a young native named Nuna should be appointed assessor. Mr Cadman said ho felt that a native assessor should be appointed from the Urewera, but before making any appointment he would have to be satisfied as to the character and reputation of the man suggested for thi3 office, and also that the proposed appointment would be generally accepted. He would decline to have anything to do with any native who drank or was likely to get into trouble. Mr Cadman talked to the natives very straight and avoided the slightest pretence of shuffling. The Governor and party went into Whakatane on Sunday and stopped at Whakatane Hotel, and subsequently proceeded to Matata, arriving there at eixp.m. on Sunday.

The Governor and party lefb Matata at seven nexb morning for Rotorua. The Governor, Lord Ancrum, Captain Guthrie, and IMr Waldron went righb through, camping en route, and arrived at Rotorua on Tuesday afternoon. There they found Lady Onslow, Lord Charles Scott and Lady Scobt. Tho whole party returned to town this (Thursday) afternoon.

The Governor sayshis visit to Urewera was most satisfactory. He hopes it will leave a good result in the near future, and that although the old men of the tribe object to Europeans having access to their country, the younger men will decide for more friendly relations with the Europeans than ab present exist. He thinks the fact of the Urewera themselves proposing onsofthe leading chiofs as an assessor is a most hopeful sign, though they object to the land courts thab must necessarily follow the proposed appointment. The Governor also believes the sentiment expressed by the speakers at the korero fully represents tha wishes of the whole of the Urewera, andsaid thoy are much annoyed at the remark made by an unimportant chief thab criminals could find refuge in the Urewera counbry. Lord Onslow was favourably impressed with tho productive qualities of the land so far as his observation extended. He said there is not enough of it to induce European settlement even if the natives consented. Most of the chiefs who spoke formerly fought against the Europeans, and Tamikoha, who was the most friendly of all, fought againsb us in nearly every important engagemenb in which the Urewera took part. Mr Cadman is well satisfied with tho result of the visib in establishing friendly relations between the Government and the tribo hitherto holding themselves aloof. He considered the speakers were thoroughly genuine in the friendly character of tho welcome accorded. He does nob believe the sentiment uttered by one of bhe chiefs that criminals would bo safe in the Urewera. country to represent the general feeling of the tribe. On tho trip inland Mr Cadman said he kept a brighb outlook [for gold indications along the bank of the river, lb is pretty certain so far as he went there was nothing of the kind. Mr Kelly, however, says there is gold on the obher side of the range near Ruatahuna. Mr Cadman considers the unanimity of bhe tribe in asking Numia to be appointed assessor is a very good sign, Numia being young, bub one oi the most influenzal chiefs amongsb them.