AT WAITANGI. SIXTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1908, Page 3

AT WAITANGI. SIXTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO.

THE TREATY. "A large marqure was erected on the lawn" — or a place corresponding with tho modern lawn — "and tho guests to the number of " This is not a description of a twentieth century wedding, but ou account of tho days when Ao-le-aroa passed from the taiahas of the Maori chiefs to the sceptre of Queen Victoria. "A spacious marquee, piofusely decorated with flags,, had been erected," states Brett's "Early New Zealand," "and at noon Captain Hobson entered tho tent, accompanied by Mr. Busby, the late Resident, the principal Europsar- inhabitants, the heads of the English and French missions, the Govommont officers, and Iho officers of HM S. Herald. ■' That was on sth February, 1840— sixty-eight years ago. Captain William Hobson arrived at the Bay of Islands on 29th January, 1840, with a commission as LieutenantGovernor of a country that had yet to bo secured. Tho natives were assembled in force on the sth February in a beautiful spot at Waitangi, and tho sun sparkled upon the multitude, but it is written that superstitious men augured evil from the conference because "Waitangi" signifies "woeping water." With the aid of Mr. H. Williams, of the Church Missionary Society, the proposed treaty was explained to the chiefs, and at .once these lovers of debate raised their voices in long argument. "Send tho man away ; do not sign the paper,"' cried Eevra, who was ono of the principal opposers. "If you do, you will be reducod to the condition of slaves, and be obliged to break stones for the roads... Your land will be taken from you, and your dignity as chiefs will be destroyed." Five or six darkened brows nodded assent to- the words of Rewa, and then came forward Xnne "You must be our 'father,' "' ho said to Captain Hobson. "You must nob allow us to become slaves. You must preserve our customs, and never permit our lands to be wrested from us." There is one very quaint passage in Governor Hobson's account, of this preliminary korcro. "One or two other chiefs, who were favourable," he wrote, "followed in the same strain as Nene, and one reproached a noisy fellow named Kitiki, of the adverse party, with having spoken rudely to me. Kitiki, stung by the remark, f-prang forward, and shook me violently by the hand, and I received the salute apparently witb equal ardour. This occasioned among the natives a general expression of applause, and a loud cheer from the Europeans, in which the natives joined, and thus the business of tho meeting closed." That calm, cool, "apparently' 1 raises a smile in 1908. The Kitiki incident did much for Governor Hobson — apparently. day — sixty-eight years apo to-day — ''the treaty was signed in due form by forty-six head chief?, in tho presence of at, least five hundred of inferior degree." Governor Hobbon's own signature seems to imply that the tenseness of the situation was felt by him. His "W. Hobson" is legible, and that is the best that car be said for it ; the writing was very shaky. Frequently refeience is made to the treaty of Waitangi, but seldom are the three main articles quoted. Here they are for Maori and pakeha alike to judge whethfir faith has been kept on both sides : Article I.— The chiefs of the Confederation ci the United Tribes of New Zealand, and rhe feparatc and independent chiefs who have.' not become members of tho confederation, cede to Her Majesty the Queen of England, absolutely and without, reservation, all the rights aua' powors of 6ovengnty v. Inch tho said confederation or individual chiefs respectively rxercise or possess over their respective territoi ios as the sole sovereigns thereof. Article ' 11. —Her Majesty tho Queon of England confirms and guarantees to the chiefs and tribes of Xew Zealand, and to the respective families and individuals thoicof. the full, exclusive, and undisputed possession of their lamia and estates, foreflp, fifhoiies, and other properties •which they may collectively cr individually posscps, go long as it is their wish and dcciic (o retain the same in their possession ; bujt ihe chiefs of the United Tribes and the individual chiefs yield to Her Majesty tho o>;elvsive light/ of pro smptjon over such hr.ds ns the proprietors iherocf may bp, disposed to alienate, at, such prices as may be agieed upon between the respective proprietors and persons appointeO by Her Majpstv to treat , with thorn in tha 1 behalf. Article ■ 111. 7— ln consideration 1 hereof Her Majesty ths Queen of England c-xtemJs to Ihi natives of 2\ew Zealand her royal protection, and imparts to th em a li the rights ana prhiloges of Biiti.-h subjects