MR FRITH'S CONFERENCE WITH THE KING PARTY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1060, 25 June 1869, Page 3

MR FRITHS CONFERENCE WITH THE KING PARTY.

The following is a copy of the report forwarded by Mr. J. 0. Firth to the Hon. the Resident J^inister on the subject of the recent conference at Orahiri:-— . ) - Auckland, June 10, 1869. . The Hon. Dr. Pollen, : Resident Minister, Auckland. . Sie,-~I have the honour to inform you tliafc I have. returned from a visit to the King natives at Orahiri, a native village in the neighbourhood of Tokangamutu. ,.; .: 1. It is proper to state hero the circum-. stances under .which I considered.it my, duty,, as a private citizen, to undertake the ■ task, of seeing the King natives. 2. On being informed, by you that H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh had consented to delay his departure from Auckland in order that he might meet Tawhiao and the leading chiefs of the King party at Ngaruawahia, . so that his influence might be exerted to restore peaceful relations, between the two races, it will be within your recollection that I made you acquainted with my intention to visit the King party, with the following objects, viz.':— ''• ■ I •; (1.) To remove the impression existing , amQngst jthe King natives that, the Prince had.no pqwpr to interfere on behalf of .peace./. ' t}^"'.\ '•■ „ ."".. '.."'.' ;. . :(21)' To endeavour to ensure the at- ; .tendance ;6f Tawhiao, Taniati Ngapoi'a, and; Re wi 2 at- Ngaruawahia. ,-•' ; (30' To possible, the dosires | of so that neither his Royal HiguuGSs < the Duke of Edinbui'gh n^Ms Excellency^ the (jro.vcrnor might be put in. a ■ false, position in consequence of unreasonable demands being unexpectedly ma^e by, the King party. . 3. I tuen stated to you that I purposely refrained from asking your opinionon any .matter connected with my proposed visit, so £hat Government might not be. in any •way compromised by my action. The only question I asked was whether you had any objection on the part of Governmeut to my proposed visit, and you stated that' 'Government raised no objection. 4. After the termination of this interview I invited Mr. C. O. Davis and Mr. J. W. Preece to accompany me as interpreters, and set out the same evening, May 27. I arrived at Torohanga on the 30th May, and met Tamati Ngapora Manuhiri, ' and several leading chiefs at Orabira on Juno 1. During that and the following day the conference was lield. 5. The results were that Manuhiri informed us that they had already- sent word to Te Wheoro that they declined to meet the Prince, the Governor, or the Kupapa chieftains at Ngaruawabia. " They further informed me that they were desirous of peace on the following conditions :-— (1.) The King to be acknowledged, (2..) All fighting on both sides to cease. (3.) All criminals to be pardoned. (4.) ' The whole of Waikato as far. as Mangatawhiri to be given back to them. In r^plyy I stated my belief that there might be a' possibility of the following conditions of peace being granted to them by Government : — (-X) The King to be acknowledged in a certain district. (2;) ' Fighting on both sides to cease. (3.) A general amnesty to be proclaimed; ■■'<■'•■ (4) A portion of land to be given in Waikato for those people to live on who have ho land. 6: Manuhiri desired me to convey his propositions to the -Government. I. ckcliried to do so unless they were given to mfein'wrftirfg as amended by me.- They did not agree to this proposal. 7. For a full and sufficiently faithful report of the proceedings, I beg to refer you to the appended account from the Southern Oro»s newspaper, whose special reporter w,as present. ... 8. In conclusion, I have great pleasure in stating that I have received very valuable assistance from Mr. 0. 0. Davis and Mi*. Preecfe, under circumstances of extreme delicacy and difficulty .— I have, &c.;: • -■ . J. C. Fibth.