THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE URIWERAS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 29

THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE URIWERAS.

INTERVIEW WITH TE KOOTI. NATIVE MEETING AT TE TEKO. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Whakatane, March 19. His Excellency the Governor and party camped at Ruato, on the shores of Lake Rotoitoi yesterday, a number of bell tents being pitched od a piece of rising ground overlooking the beach and Native settlement. It; vras a very beantiful night, the moon shining clear and blight over the quivering water of the lake, while the light of the camp fires added a strange and weird appearance to the scene. After an al fresco dinner, and when darkness came on the party gathered round a blazing pile of logs, one half the circle of the group being composed of Natives. Here an hour or two was wiled away in songs contributed by several members of the company, the Natives singing too. It was of an impromptu description, being a welcome to the Governor and a request conveying in their somewhat mournful melody that lie should build a school for them. The latter application caused some amusement in consequence of the novel way in which it was conveyed. The concert broke up by all present, Europeans and Natives, rising and singing bareheaded the National Anthem, the Natives joining in with great gusto. An early start was made this morning, the whole camp being alive by 5 o’clock. After a pleasant swim in the lake, and a breakfast of tinned meat, fried chops, and boiled eggs, the party proceeded on horseback through the Ngararua bush, which extends about fifteen mile 3 and across the Parikarangaranga Plains to Te Tebo, the whole country being covered with volcanic ash, thrown out dur. ing the Tarawera eruption, making travelling very trying for the horses, and dusty and uncomfortable fbr the riders. At Pakepaki, about two hoars’ journey from Te Teko, Te Kooti and about 20 followers were found encamped on the banks of a creek on their way to Waikato, and the old and notorious chief requested the Governor and party to pay him a visit. Very little was said on either side. Te Kooti welcomed the Governor, and said he would like to meet him at Otorohanga. His

Excellency replied that he was there last year, when Te Kooti, had he pleased, might have visited him. He also thanked him for his welcome that day. Te Kooti replied that when his Excellency was at Otoro. hasga last year the Government opposed to him was in office, and that was the reason he had not visited Lord Onslow on that occasion. Te Kooti also informed his Excellency that there were about 209 Natives awaiting his arrival at Ruatoki. The Governor then shooK hands with Te Kooti and continued his journey, Te Teko being reached about two o’clook, the ride from Ruato having occupied seven hours. Here the natives had erected a primitive triumphal arch, bearing the word “ Tena koutau,” and on arrival at the hotel about eight were drawn up and accorded his Excellency a warm reception, dancing a haka on the verandah. His Excellency will proceed to-morrow to Ruatoki. Auckland, March 20. At Te Teko yesterday afternoon the Governor and Native Minister were present at a Native meeting. The Governor and party occupied chairs in the front of a local store, while the Natives assembled and formed a semicircle, about 109 in number. Te Paneti, an ancientlooking Native of the Ngatiawa tribe was the first speaker. Half clad, with eyes wildly rolling, he paraded some time before the Governor and party, yelling excitedly ‘ Haeremai te Kawena,’and kept on repeating this oyer and over again in the most monotonous fashion. He then condescended to inform the Governor that the Natives did not know the meaning of his visit. There were, he added, only a few of them present, the majority being dead. He then welcomed the Native Minister ' and Mr Lewis, saying : —* Come to the land that suffered,’ quaintly adding, * the Native Minister is not in office for ever ; come and see us, he who is respected by all the people of the country.’ Tamehonepaewaka, who flourished a fancifully carved canoe paddle, which he was very anxious to sell, also made an excitable speech, commencing with the onesided comnliment: ‘"Welcome, you people, who are swallowing our land, to bring along seed good seed and bad seed ; welcome. Governor, are you come to gather all us people together or not?’ He then sang an ancient song of welcome, adding * Come along; see whether we can derive any benefit from your visit or not. I do not 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 the Governor, Native Minister, and others. It was, he said, right for them to come and look over the district they had charge of. The Governor had taken the trouble to come to see them, and all their grievances would be laid before him. He concluded by saying to the Governor: * Salutations to you ! God watch over you ! To you, father of great and small—Our 10. e to the Queen commenced years ago, and has been carried on to the present time. There have been a good many Governors before you, but they never visited the Natives, That is why we are so pleased to see you. representative of Queen Victoria, our. great Chieffcainess. Welcome! May you live in peace.’ Matetira. alias Methusalah, a very ancient-looking Maori, welcomed the Governor as the father of widows and orphans, and then asked, Have you seen the road you came along, and the road on the other side ? There is no road, no bridge, no nothing. How can you expect us, our children, and our women to come along that road. We must ask you for some money to get it done. The roads are open to you, with no one to interfere. Go where you please.’ The next Native orator caused a smile by welcoming the visitors as ‘you whales that come from the sea,’ and added—* We understand you are going to see the Tohoe (the Uriwera) Natives.’ The obstructing tribes in the country of Rawere and Kiripipi welcomed the Governor, whose arrival would be remembered as a red-letter day by them. He asked him to regard them as a people who were suffering and laid down by grief. The Governor, replying, said : Thank you Cor your kind reception. Though many Governors have come to New Zealand they are all sent by the same Queen, and the Queen’s feelings towards all her subjects never change. J fesl particularly anxious to yiait many of

the Natives as I possibly can, in order that I may tell them personally of the love the Queen has for her people. I have been to Otorohanga and have seen the Natives there, now £ have come to see you. I am going to see the Tohoes (Uriwera), which, you say, are the most-obstructing tribe, in order that there may be no tribe that I have not seen and taken the Queen’s word to them. I am sorry for the results of the Tarawera eruption as affecting this people. I have come to see not only them, but also your mountains and your country. I have brought with me the Native Minister. His special power is over the Native people of New Zealand, to whom all your complaints may be made. I will leave the question of bad roads to him to deal with. I thank you for the welcome you have given me on behalf of the Quean, whose representative I am.’ • The Hon Mr Cadman thanked the Natives for the kindly welcome extended to himself and the Governor. He said it was his desire to act as friendly as possible towards the Natives. It was not An official visit, but he would be happy to hear carefully and consider any grievance they had. They complained of having no roads or bridges at Tikitere. The Natives had offered opposition to the construction of roads, and he wished them to understand that if he untertook to try and give effect to their wishes they must assist as far as possible and have the roads and bridges where fixed by the Government engineers. One of the speakers had referred to the Hon Mr Ballance. He said he would like the Natives to feel that now Mr Ballance was Premier his Ministry would also be friendly disposed to the Natives. He drew attention to putting Native lands through the Court, and the fact that the process frequently swallowed up their whole value. He 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 the Native members would be found to assist to bring about such a satisfactory state of things. When the korero was concluded darkness had set in, and the baggage, &c., not having arrived, the Governor and party had to stay at Hone’s, where his Excellency put up for the night, intending to start for Ruatoki early on Friday morning. The pack horses unfortunately did not get through from Rotoiti during the night, and it is doubtful whether they can catch up with the party until Friday night. The Maoris at Tekoa asked Mr Cadman to have some confiscated lands there reserved for a burial ground. Mr Cadman consented to set apart four or five acres for a Native and European cemetery. The Governor and party left Tekoa at 7. this morning, and swam their horses over the river. They rode to Poroporo, and on arriving there at 9.45 were met by an.advance guard from the Ngatiawa tribe, who waved the Union Jack, anJ conducted the party to the settlement. On arrival there, the natives assembled in front of the meeting house to welcome the Governor with a dance of welcome, executed by Natiyes almost naked, who also fired a volley with rifles. About 50 Native children sang the National Anthem in English, and then the korero commenced. More Tuemata welcomed the Governor, and invited him to stay in his house all the night. If the Governor would not stay he would tie him up. Moko Rewere Porewera Manuera Waate Tamate, the local preacher, also spoke a word of welcome of an ordinary character., Te Hemere said it was not he who caused their land to be lost, but Tuhoi (Uriwera). A Uriwera Native said it was well for the Governor to see the Uriwera tribes and become friendly with them. The Governor, replying, thanked the people for the welcome given to him and the salute fired ; also for the invitations to stay with them overnight. The Uriwera had appointed this day to meet him at Ruatoki. They had been there a long time, and if they had to wait much longer they would not have enough to eat. Therefore he must go on immediately. Although their old men were passing away, •there were plenty of strong your.g men around them. The Governor also assured them of the Queen’s affection for them. The Native Minister also expressed his thanks, on behalf ot the Government, for the reception given to his Excellency and his friends. It was the intention of the Government to bring a warmer feeling into existence between the Europeans and the Natives. The Governor also thanked Mr Brittain, schoolmaster, for the reception prepared by the Native children, and gave them a holiday on the occasion. At Poroporo the party was joined by Mr W. Kelly, M.H.R. for the East Coast. Later. His Excellency and party arrived at Poroporo, at 8.30 this morning, where they were accorded an enthusiastic welcome by the Natives, and a lot of speechifying took place. A start was made for Ruatoki at midday, and after lunching at Mr Gould’s station on the way, they crossed the Autaki line and rode on to a village of the Uriweras, Ruatoki. Here a moat elaborate ceremony of welcome was gone through, and. speeches were made on both sides. The trip has been most successful. Whakatane, March 21. On crossing the aukati line yesterday Major Swinley, who had joined the party with Mr Kelly, M.H.R., rode on in advance, and on arrival of Lord Onslow at the village of Ruatoki, which is situated on an extensive plain on the banks of the Whakatane River, he was received with a salute and a war dance admirably executed. The Natives then asassembled in front of the Governor, and the usual speeches made by leading chiefs, who accorded him a cordial welcome, and wished him to go through their country. There were about 300 Natives present, nearly ail of them being atcired in European clothing. His Excellency, in his speech, said he had seen nearly all the tribes, and they had welcomed him warmly, but none more so tban the Uriweras, who had been called the bad tribes. Whatever they had been in the past they were now friendly, and he hoped they would always be friends. Lord Onslaw then shook hands with the leading chiefs, as did also the Hon Mr Cadman, Native Minister and Mr Lewis, one of the leading chiefs rubbing noses with the latter. The party then rode through the village, and afterwards partook of some food served up in native fashion by the Maoris. This morning His Excellency made a trip up the Whakatane River, and will start for Rotorua by way of Matata, camping en route at Tikitere. and arriving at Ohinemutu on Tuesday. The party stayed last night at Oporiau. Mr Cadman has sent a telegram to the Premier from Ruatoki, announcing the success of the meeting. Whakatane, March 22. The Governor and part of the party, comprising Mr Cadman, Native Minister, Lord Ancrum, Mr Bush, Mr Fuller, and two Herald reporters, yesterday morning rode about twelve miles into the interior of the Uriwera country, up the valley of the Whakatane River, which had to be crossed about a dozen times. On each side of the valley rose bush-clad ranges to the height of 400 or 500 feet, some of the clumps of trees and fern being exquisitely beautiful. The scenery was greatly admired by His Excellency. At Rangaoliepeba (named after an old chieftain) the party, who were accompanied by a number of Maoris, turned

back and arrived at Ruatoki at lunch time. After lunch a haka was danced with spirit by about 60 men and women. At the korero which followed.

The following speeches were delivered : Mimia, speaking on behalf of tile Tuhoi tribe, raid they had four grievances which they desired to bring before the Native Minister. The first was with reference to obtaining a small piece of land at Whakatane upon which they could squat, so that when visiting Whakatane for the purpose of dealing with the Europeans they could live there. At present they had no place. The land which they would like was a piece of Crown land of 22 acres. Their second grievance was that they wanted the Government to fix the tribal boundary so that no other tribe could lay claim to any of their land. Their third grievance was with respect to a piece of land cdled Wainui, in Ohiwa, which they wish tha Government to give them. Their fourth grievance was with respect to a piece of land at Waltare Moana, comprising 300 acres, which they wished the Government so give them. These subjects had been grievances since the time of Sir Donald McLean, and although tha Tuhoi had often been promised redress they had not yet obtained it. ... Raukara. the next principal man, sail the Tuhoi (Uriwera) did not want any of the evil things such as leases, surveys, roads, gold prospecting, and Land Courts, and lie did not want Europeans to follow criminals. Tile Tuhoi would have nothing whatever to do with selling land to Europeans. They m>>st not think that because his Excellency had gone into the country other Europeans could go there too. If they did they would be turned back. , ... Lord Onslow, in his reply, said ho was sure that they understood the difference between the Government and the Governor. One represented the people of Now Zealand ; the other represented the Queen of England. He had travelled as the Queen’s representative throughout New Zealand. As he was coming along here he met Te Kooti, and they both shook hands in a friendly manner. Whatever may have existed in the past, all lie knew now was that everyone he had met among his tribe was friendly toward the Queen and her representative, and from what he had seen that was likely to continue. The Queen had lately chosen as Governor of this and the adjoining colonies leading rangatiras in England. lie was one of these, and Lord Ancrum, who was present, was the son of. another; and they were glad to see the rangatiras of New Zealand, because they felt the same feeling animated both with respect to their grievances. He would leave the Government to deal with them, but they might rest assured that equal justice would” be meted out between all the Queen’s subjects. , „ The Hon A. J. Cadman delivered a long speech, going over the grievances alluded to by speakers. He said that the Government felt that by inviting the Governor to visit their country the Tuhois had held out the hand of friendship to the Governor, and the latter desired to accept the invitation in the spirit in which it was offered. He exhorted them to educate their children and to encourage them to mix mors with the Europeans, avoiding, however, the public house and those known as the lower classes of Europeans. Referring to Rapuaka’s speech, Mr Cadman said he wished them all to clearly understand that the Queen’s laws must go everywhere in New Zealand. In so far as their own land was concerned they were in their own hands, and if they parted with them they would only have themselves to blame. They must understand that criminals who seek refuge in their country would be taken, and the law generally upheld. With reference to the land at Whakatane, if they made their application in writing he would see that they got what they wished, with the condition that the land did not become their own property, but remained the property of the Crown. With regard to tribal boundaries, it would be necessary to have the land properly surveyed before anything could be done. With regard to the laud at Wainui, he would require to consult his colleagues before he. could give them an answer. If the land at Wailtare Moana was absolutely necessary to them, he would be prepared to favourably entertain a proposal to exchange this piece of land for another, but he could not consent to give them the land for nothing. Mr Cadman advised the Natives to take up laud under the same conditions as Europeans. The chiefs thanked His Excellency and Mr Cadman for the speeches they had made, and said they would remember their visit as a red letter day in their annals. In the evening the Governor was introduced to Haire Kolco, a Uriwera chief, whose name was well known to the public during the time of the {Maori war. The old chief stated that he had come down from his village as soon as he heard that Lord Onslow was in the district, but by the time he had got to Ruatoki His Excellency had gone to Oporiau. He had therefore come on to see him. He said all he had to say was that the Governor could go anywhere in the Uriwera country. Lord Onslow thanked the old warrior, and said he would not have liked to have left the district without meeting so important a person. He hoped to again visit the district, when perhaps Tanui Holta would be able to carry out his own wish and accompany him over the Uriwera country. During his visit to the Uriwera country Lord Onslow was rendered great assistance by Mr Bush, R.M., and Mayor Swindley in the way of interpreting, and before leaving personally thanked those gentlemen. His Excellency left Mr Grant’s hospitable roof at Oporiau this morning, and arrived at Matata this evening. Rotorua, March 24. The Governor, who arrived at Rotorua to-day, has received the following telegram from the Premier “ Ministers in Welling, ton congratulate your Excellency upon the successful result of your visit to Uriwera. The visit must have a large influence in establishing more friendly relations between the Government and the Uriwera tribe. We are glad your Excellency has enjoyed the trip.” The Governor leaves for Auckland in the morning. _____________