LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS TO THE NATIVES.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 698, 22 December 1852, Page 3

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS TO THE NATIVES.

Friends Chiefs of Haurakt, — In consequence of hearing of the discovery of Gold in this district, a discovery that may lead to the arrival of many thousand people from all parts of the world, as in California and NewSouth Wales, I came here some days since in the hopes of seeing the chief men of the district, but being piessed for time I could not then continue long enough to enable them to assemble ; but now at their request, 1 have again visited this place to discuss measures for your protection and the mutual good of all. I come to offer the protection of the Government to you the same as I would if the Gold had been found on the land of the Europeans, to protect you from all and every annoyance you might otherwise he exposed to from the strange is that may come here, equally unknown to me as to you, and to preserve good right to your land and property as subjects of the Queen. Numbers on hearing of the discovery will come under any circumstances, but the Queen's authority is at hand to prepare such arrangements with your concurrence as may keep these strangers in order and check. Having tins and only this object in view, ivhich the presence of your friends the Bishop, the Chief Justice, aud your Resident Missionary may attest, I now am ready to hear from your lips any remarks or observations you may wish to make, and I shall be prepared to give any information you may seek as to the sincerity of the Government of which I stand here the Representative, at the same time to prove to you, that under the British Flag all classes of subjects enjoy equal rights, privileges and protection in New Zealand, as is enjoyed where this Standard floats. The discovery of Gold must prove an advantage to the whole country, if the management of it be guided with honor, discretion, judg-e* ment and confidence ; but if -confusion of thought or difference of opinion he allowed to exist ; if mistrust instead of confidence in each other be allowed to reign, then and then only will the discovery form a sad misfortune to all this happy land, entailing evil in its traces beyond all conception. After reading the Address, His Excellency said, he should be glad to hear the sentiments of the Native Chiefs. The first speaker was Te Taniwha (the celebrated Hook-nose) Chief of the Ngatiwhanaunga ; — he was unanimously chosen to introduce the subject. His speech was as follows". — • " 0 Son" (meaning Puhata a chief of consequence who claimed conjointly with him the Ma'awai gold field) ''let this be our motto, 'It is well, it is well.' These are the tokens of peace, the presence of the Governor, the Bishop, and the Chief Justice. Ye who are here, acknowledge these your parents. My children, be not sad ; — it is well,— all is well. The messengers of God — of truth, stand here, even the hone (meaning solid substance, &c.) of that \i Inch is good. The arrangements are left to you 0 Governor, the Bishop, and Chief Justice." Te Taniwha having seated himself, Hohepa Paraone, Native Teacher at Manaia, stood up, and said — " Our thoughts formerly were, that nothing would arise to create discord in oar island. Our thoughts were frequently turned upon this subject, and when we heard of the discovery of gold, we then concluded that this perhaps would be the foundation of discord, or confusion. When we heard it was found on Paul's land, we were unhappy. It was afterwards found at Waiau, but the people did not reck- > lessly come upon our land, they got our permission. The gold also was shown to Kitahi (the son of Hook-nose and principal Chief of Coromandel Harboui) who sent two messengers for me ; I came and saw the gold of Waiau. The search after the gold at Waiau w.is good and just, and I said, when the Goveinor comes all will be stiaight. We have no wish lo conceal the gold or to let it remain in the earth. This is what we will accede to, 0 Governor, for the gold to be taken, and the land to be left. To take the gold, and the land too, would be a bad deed. We have heard this from many persons, and therefore we are suspicious. Waiau is the only place that we will give up to be worked. When we see that this works well, we will give up other places. But if we see that the work at Waiau does not go on well, then we will not give up other lands. Some Europeans came to me at Manaia, and grumbled because I sent them away ; but the course we are going to adopt had been decided. This is one of the things we are averse to, namely, Europeans going upon our lands to search for gold without our sanction ; it is preferable to ask permission of the owners of the land, no matter whether the quantity of gold be great or small. If the Governor is pleased with these thoughts, and will accede to them, we will give up the gold to be worked, the owners of the land, however, will expect something for the gold." Hook-nose waking up from a doze cried gut — " Yea, let the gold be worked."

Hohepa Paraone. resumed — " Let not the Europeans gather the gold and me ; (moaning I hat the persons and property of the natives should he cousidered sacred) if they do this, evil will ensue. If the pold only is taken it will be good. If we knew how to dig gold, we are avaricious enough to retain it for ourselves; but, as the Europeans understand its woiking, let them work it. If the Governor's regulations be just, we will give up the gold ; should the legulations be unjust, we will not give it up. 0 P-ishop and Chief Justice Martin, if youis be just, (meaning, if the arrangements we enter into be based upon just principles) then the evil will be ours (that is, we ourselves will be blameable should any disturbance arise.) Our consent is, to those lands only which belong to us. Other people must arrange for the lands they claim. "With regard to our own lands we will not allow other natives to interfere with them." His Excellency in reply said — "I will protect you and your property." Hauauru Te Otatu then addressed the meeting, he said — " The pit is dug (meaning the gold was discovered and that it was impossible to conceal it). The Governor is the fence (the Governor is our protection, he will be to us a shield). "With regard to the search after this thing let us go back to our ancestois. Fern -root was their food and we know how to find this kind of food ourselves. But this thing, we see its spirit only (alluding to the small grains of gold produced as specimens), who would be troubled with it 1 Let them have it. Who knows how to break this kind of fein-roof? (gold) I set no value upon it. Let the arrangements of this meeting affect others who claim ]and. even the mean man who hold a portion of the soil. In former days if a man's (lands) were interfered with, a war party was sent forth and the pah was taken by storm. I say these things to the white people. Let these my words be thrown upon a sunken rock in the sea (meaning that his sentiments were of little impoiL) 0 Governor and friends, what is to become of the ploughs which will be left in the field when the Europeans run off 1 ?" His Excellency remarked, that those who owned the ploughs would look after them. " Those are the things we prize" cried many voices, "and we thought that they would come into our possession." Wiremu Hoete, one of the Chiefs of Ngatipaoa, said — "'Jhis discussion is in reference to all other places. The Governor will not see all the persons who go in search of gold. If gold be found in ceitain places, it should be taken to the Governor so that he may make arrangements as regards its working. There should be two nations only in this land — the English and the New Zealanders. The Governor will be a fence to preserve other places (where gold is not found). The land we claim will be given up. Our dread is lest the people of the other side (evil disposed persons) "should come hither. This is the first arrangement as regards this matter, let it be extended to other districts. My speech this day is not in reference to other men's lands, but for our own. It would not be proper for us to interfere with the claims of others. Let these suggestions be assented to," His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor said — " All persons who come to the island will be under British law ; the natives, however, are expected to assist the Government to maintain C ider." Patene Puhata, one of the Chiefs of Ngatipaoa, said — " Our minds are confused with many thoughts." Mis Honor the Chief Justice remarked — " Yes, you aie confused, on account of so many speakers ; select a few of your number and go on board the Bishop's schooner and quietly discuss the matter." Patene Puhata then said — " We are troubled with regnrd to land sold to you formerly. It is tight that we should speak of this that the Governor may hear it. I refer to the land sold to William Moore who stands here ; let his land be given him (i. c. let him be put into possessiou of his land, although gold is known to be abundant on it). His Excellency said, that the boundaries of the land should be pointed out by the natives, after which, no, Furorean would be allowed to dig without a license signed by the Conimis sioner and countersigned by the Native Chief. Puhata said—" Waiau is the name of the place we give up, and Kitahi will ppint out the boundaries." Hohepa Paraone, Native Teacher at Manaia said — " I etthe amount of payment be named now, before all the people " His Excellency replied — " You appear to be rather undivided as regards the men to be selected for aCoinmittee,you had therefore better let the matter rest till tomoriovv, I will write out the general terms of the agieement this evening, {, nd ivhen you reassemble in the morning the contents of the paper will be read aloud in order that all may hear." This was unanimously appioved of, and the people returned to their encampments.

On the following day the natives reassembled, when some discussion took place, and after sundry explanations, the terms were agreed upon and the agreement signed.