THE NATIVE MINISTER IN WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5371, 3 February 1879, Page 6

THE NATIVE MINISTER IN WAIKATO.

REWI AT KIHIKIHI. IIEWI RECEIVES AN ADDRESS FROM THE SETTLERS. THE HON. MR. SIIEEHAN'S SPEECH. Te Awamcii", Jan. 6. According to the arrangement of yesterday, the Hon. .Native Minister, accompanied by Mr. Rusden, Mr. Lewis (Private Secretary), Mr. Gill, Mr. Bush, R.M., Mr. Grace (Native Agent), and others, proceeded to Puniu about 11 a.m., having been detained until that hour by various deputations and other bu?ines3 at Kihikihi. A large party of natives was assembled, consisting of Ngatimaniapoto, Ngatiraukawa, Ngati liaua, Ngatian'a, and others. meeting was opened by Rewi, who said that the subjects he wished to speak about were certain letters that ho had received from chiefs of the Ngatiraukawa tribe at Waotu while ho was at New Plymouth, with reference to tribal disputes regarding their boundaries'. There were three letters—the first about disputes at Waotu, the second about the Tatua, and the third about the ICiwitahi blocks. These disputes were simply intertribal matters that Rewi wished left with him and the Native Minister to settle. Other speakers followed, stating in detail the nature of these disputes, and referring to the relative importance of theclaim3 of their various ancestors. The disputes apparently emanate from very old tribal feud 3, dating from the residence of the Thames tribes at Maungatautari. To the various speakers Rewi replied with considerable ability, shewing that all their claims centred in himself as the chief, wb» possessed the mana over the land referred to. The discussion amongst the natives continued till adjourned for food, which had been provided abuudantly for the visitors by Mr. Ross. After dinner Mr. Sheehan addressed the meeting, inquiring more particularly the nature of their disputes ; aud, with reference to the Waotu, said that, as the land had not been surveyed, or passed through the Court, he was unablo to interfere further than to advise them to settle their difficulties in a friendly manner, according to the advice which ha'l been given them by Rewi. The Native Minister, accompanied by Mr. Rusden, proceeded to the site of the old Orakau pa, when Rewi " fought his battles aud pointed out the places of interest in that engagement, in which he took such a prominent part. Mr. Sbeehan and Rewi then visited Mr. Kay's homestead, where the party were hospitably cntertained by that gentleman. After a short stav, Mr. Sheehan and Rewi came to Kihikihi," where they are at present. It is the first visit of the old chief to this settlement, and an event of no small political importance. Kihikihi, Jan. S. A deputation of the settlers of Kihikihi waited upon Rewi, at the hotel, aud presented to him the following address: — "We, the undersigned settlers of Kihikihi, gladly take this opportunity of heartily welcoming yon in our midst. We can assure you your visit on this occasion has afforded great satisfaction, and we trust it is the forerunner of many others in future. I'ou may rely at all times on our assistance and cooperation in all matters affecting ths welfare of yourself and ptople. — (Signed) James Henderson and others." To this Rewi returned the following reply, which was interpreted by Mr. Grace :— My coming here has not originated with Mr. Sheehan. I said to him, " Let us go to Kihikihi," and I am here. 1 have come here that I may become better acquainted with you. I will not be in a hurry to say much at the present time. Things are being arranged between Mr. Sheehan and myself that w ill not be in public just now. I am going for the next hour to walk about Kihikihi with Mr. Sheehan, and at the end of that time I may reply further to your address. Rewi then, accompanied by the Hon. the Native Minister and others, visited the site cf an old kahu/a of his, and spent some time in searching for the burial-places of some ot his relations. The removal of all the old landmarks made the search difficult, but he at last recognised some peach trees which had been planted by himself, and which enabled him to arrive at the position of the graves, of which there was, however, now no trace. Shortly after returning to the hotel an adjournment was made to the school-room, where the settlers had assembled for the proposed meeting. The children stood in rank to receive Rewi and the Native Minister, and gave tiiem three cheers on their arrival. There were present with the Hon. Mr, Sheehan, Mr. Rusden, Mr. Lewis (Private Secretary), Mr. Grace, Mr. Bush, R.M., and others.

The meeting was commenced by Rewi addressing the natives present. He said : I am now speaking to the Maori people who are present. It was not Mr. Sheehan who asked me to come to Kihikihi. It was all my own doing. I invited Mr. Sheehan to meet me at Kihikihi. The reason of my doing so wa3 because I wished to visit the burial-place of my hapu ; but, before I visited the burial-place, the Europeans came to see me at the hotel to welcome me. After seeing them, I went to see my burial-places, and told the Europeans that I would speak to them again after I had done so. These are the Europeans who welcomed me, and I am now going to speak to them.

Rewi then addreseed the Europeans present as follows: Kihikihi was my settlement. I resided here when tbe Gospel was brought to this place by the missionaries. My house and my eh arch were here. When Te Heuheu first spoke of the King movement 1 was drawn into it. The subject first originated at Waitara, where the war also commenced. Potatau and I were living at Ngaruawahia when the fighting first com menced. The people said, " Lit us go to the fight'i" I said, "Do not go to the fight." I wished the matter referred to the missionaries, that it might be laid by them before the Government. Wetenesaid, "No; let us fight." Purukuru came, and it was at this place where tbe people first agreed to go to the fight. Epiha wa3 the man who first agreed to the fighting, and Rewiti was another. When Potatau and I heard of them at Ngaruawahia, Potatau asked me to follow them up. I did so, and overtook them at Mokau, and asked them to return Epiha said he would not do so, and that 1 might return by myself. I then wrote to Mr. Parrie, and told him that a war party was coming to Waitara, aud asked him to meet them. He did so, and was nearly killed. A fight then took place at Taranaki, and the pakeha was defeated. After this I consented to the war. I said that if I commenced fighting, it would not end in a hurry. Tamihana, then, for a time, made peace. After this, I received a letter from William King, telling me that the Europeans had settled at Tataraiuiaka. At this time Bishop Selwyn was agitating that the Waitara land question should be investigated. I and William King considered, but nothing came of it. 1 then wrote to the Taranaki, and told them to fight the Europeans that went to Tatarairoaka. I said, in fighting these j»eople, kill them in a civilized manner, but do not torture them. I decided also that the Europeans who crossed a certain boundary (the Mangatawhirij were to be fought. As soon as Sir George Grey heard this, he commenced the war in Waikato. When the fighting had extended throughout all Waikato, X received a letter from Sir George Grey, in which he said, " I hear you are building a pa at i'aterangi." The letter was sent by C. O. Davis, aud proposed a cessation of hostilities. I replied that I would not agree that peace should be made, but would continue fighting so that my people might die defending their lands. After this Tuhoro was Eent to me. He and his companion came up and aaked me if I would make peace. 1 said, "No. I still grasp the hair of the Governor's head, and his hand is on my head." After this Mr. George Graham visited William Thomson, and asked to make peace. Messengers were sent to : lanuhiri and myself. Mauuliiri came as far as Tokanui and lighted a fire there, but Mr. Graham returned on this occasion again. After this Mr. Graham visited Utorohanga, and the question of peace was discussed, but I was not thera. Following these events, Mr. Todd was killed at Pirongia, and, after that, Sir Donald McLean came to Waikato. Then it was said that good relations should be established between the Maoris and Europeans, aud I agreed to discuss the matter then. I said i would not consider the wrongs of the paßt, but that the future should be discussed for the good of both races. I agreed to what Sir D. McLean said on the subject. After the death of Sir Donald M c Lean Dr. Pollen came to see me, and told me that he was the s-.acessor of Sir Donald. I said to Dr. Pollen, •' Let us go over my boundary and talk over the matter there, so that I may stand on a good footing." The mc Stags -with Sir George Grey and Mr,

Sheehan you know all about, and, as my story has taken a long time, I will cot it short. I bavo como to see you, the Europeans of Kihikibi, as the persons who fought against me in the past. Let your dealing with me be fair and straightforward, and let mine be the same towards you 1 What I wish you to do is to look on and see the proceedings which are taking place between Mr. Sheehan and myself. If our dealings are not satisfactory, I will tell you, and if they are satisfactory, I will also tell you, that we Europeans and natives may look upon each other as brothers. This ends what 1 have to say to you. May we long live ! Mr. Henderson then called for three cheers for Rewi, which were heartily given, with one cheer more. Cheers for the Nativo Minister were then proposed in a speech by Mr. Henderson, who spoke in high terms of tho success of Mr. Sheehau's administration of native affairs. Three cheers were enthusiastically given.

Mr. Siieehak, speaking to the Europeans, said: I thank you for the hearty welcome you have accorded my worthy friend Rewi. A stranger would perhaps wonder why we attach so much importance to this sma-1 gathering of both races, but we why know the past history of the colony, and you who went for years with your lives in your hands, know the deep significance of whit is now taking place. There is something exceedingly affecting in this return of the oid chief to the spot on which his own settlement formerly stood, and from which he has been an. exile for the last fifteen years. He fought against U3 valiantly from the beginning to the end, always bravely and chivalrously, and as became a soldier and a gentleman, and his hand 3 are unsullied by any unfair or treacherous act. I repeat, it was an affecting sight to see the old man standing this morning over the graves of his ancestors, every outward vestige of which has been obliterated. At present the incidents of the struggle between the races seem tame and uninteresting to us, but in time to come, seen through the mellowing light of centuries, our New Zealand wars will furnish ample materials for our painters, novelists, and poets. I hope and believe that the hostilities between the races are gone for ever, and that we shall have the friendship of the natives for the future. I anticipate good results from such occasions as this. The only obstacle in the way is tho interfercnco of those who for some reason or other of their own are opposing tho endeavours of the authorities to bring about a peaceful state of things. Ido not seo why the peace of the colony should be endangered and her interests sacrificed because a few persona may wish at once to obtain a particular block of laud. Let us get general questions settled first, and then start fair for the land, under equal conditions. 1. am glad to seo so many settlers present to welcome Rewi, and again thank you for the reception you have given him. The Native Minister and Reivi then returned to the Kihikihi Hotel, where Mr Sheehan has since been closely engaged in interviewing natives aud atteudiug to other matters connected with his department. Alexandra, Jan. 9. The Hon. the Native Miuister aud party arrived at Alexandraatabouto p.m. yesterday, after allot aud dusty journey from Kihikihi. Mr. sheehan stayed at Te Awamutu, on his way, for a short time, aud received a deputation of settlers, who came to see him ou the subject of utilizing the unsold lauds, a bridge over the Mangahoe, aud other matters. Soon after arrival at Alexandra, Mr. Sheehan was visited by several native chiefs, amongst whom were Tapihaua aud Pikia. After the usual greetings were over, the following speeches were made : — Pikia .- Salutations to you, Mr. Sheehan. I have come to sea you, in order that I may look at you, and you at me, for you are the Native Minister, the appointed father to guide U3 all. Hakiaiia : Salutations ! You are now in the place of Sir Donald McLean. 1 am going to follow Pikia's example. Let the lamp be lit, that we may see. TaI'HIANA then made a long speech, in which he said : Salutations to you, Mr. Sheehan. I would have tried to meet you at Ohaupo, but I was afraid lest I should be taken and sent to gaol. When the war broke out at Waitara, Potatau resided at Mangere. There he saw Governor Browne. The Governor then said, " I am going to Waitara to fight." Potatau said, "No, stay." The Governor said, "No; I will go." Potatau said, "Then I remain ; I will stick to love, to the law, and to worship God." The war took place, and Maoris and Europeans were killed at Waitara. Potatau then asked me to go and make peace. [Here followed a long history of the war.] Those words of Potatau's are now a law for me and mine. I have done with strife, and will spend my time in helping to bring about a good understanding between the races, that those other words of Potatau may be fulfilled. L=t the two races be gathered together within my arms. Potatau called the pakeha his father, and so I say to you, "You are our father." Let your guiding of us be fatherly, for wo are bad children. Salutations to you !

Mr. Sueeuan' replied at some length to tlie various speeches, aud, referring to the words of Potatau, that law, love, and truth should reign in the island, expressed his belief that the time was fast approaching when the principles involved in those three great words would regulate and govern the relations between both races in future, as they once did in the past. Mr. Shcehan waa afterwards engaged in departmental work. Mr. McMinn, M.H.R., and Mr. Byron, Chairman of the Highway District, waited upon the Native Minister on several local matters. This and departmental work occupied Mr. Sheehan till late at night.

This morning, at 7 o'clock, Jthe Native Minister met a number of natives, who are now disputing with Mr. Walker about the Pukerau block. A long talk took place as to the previous history of the block. At the conclusion, Mr. Sheelian said that he was quite willing that the whole matter should be fairly enquired into, to see which side was right and which was wrong. This he would only undertake, however, unriii one condition, namely, that they should not attempt to assert their rights by force. If they did so, he would have to have recourse to another line of action. They should remember that fighting and acts of violence had failed in previous years to discover what was right, aud so they would fail in the future.

i'he assembled natives gave Mr. Sheehan a hearty promise that they would carefully abide a settlement, and the meeting then came to an end. At about XI o'clock Rswi, who had sent word previously to the Native Minister that he was coming to him, arrived at Alexandra, accompanied by some of his friends. He has spent the day in company with Mr. Sheehan, Paul Tuliaer.-, Major 'i'e Wheoro, and Major Kemp, Ahipene Ivaihau, and others, and appears to bo enjoying himself immensely. The interest of the meeting has also been increased by the arrival from Auckland of the chief of Rarotonga and his companions, and there lias been during the afternoon a very interesting social gathering, or conversazione, which has been characterised by fun and good humour, and appears to be greatly eDjoyed by Rewi and the other chiefs, and not less eo by the Europeans present whose knowledge of the language enables them to appreciate the fun. During the day the Hon. Native Minister, accompanied by Mr. Kusden, Mr. Lewis, and others of the party, visited the celebrated pa of Matakitaki. The events of the memorable fight, where over two thousand of the Waikato tribes were killed by the Ngapuhi, under Hongi Ika, were recounted on tbe spot by Ahipene Kaihau, and ditch, parapet, and glacis, to every foot of which some story of bravery or interest is attached, were visited.