NATIVE AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1247, 23 January 1896, Page 31

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

WAIRARAPA LAKE DIFFICULTY. ITS SETTEMENT CELEBRATED. A MEMORABLE PICNIC. The course of British colonisation in New Zealand has been marked by numerous disputes and difficulties. In too many cases the effort to settle them has been attended by bloodshed and war. For the Wairarapa district has been reserved the unique distinction of offering the record of a dispute between Natives and Europeans, firmly, and yet peaceably, maintained through the longlapse of thirty years. To the present Government, and pre-eminently to the Premier and the Hon Mr Carroll, belongs the credit of successfully composing that ancient difficulty, and removing for ever the only question that has caused misunderstanding and heartburning between the Natives and settlers of the Wairarapa. In keeping with this unique record was the unique event which, on the initiative of the Natives took place on Saturday at Pigeon Bush on the further side of the Rimutaka range to celebrate the settlement of the difficulty. A picnic arranged by Maoris and to which a general invitation was extended to the Pakeha public in order to rejoice at and celebrate the settlement of a long standing dispute is an occurrence of first-class historic interest.

The train which went up to the Wairarapa conveyed from Wellington a goodly number of ladies and gentlemen bound for the picnic. Amongst the passengers were the Premier and Mrs Seddon, Miss L. Seddon and three of the younger members of the family, the Hon Mr Carroll, Dr Newman, M.H.R., Mr S. Carnell, M.H.R., Mr W. Fraser, M.H.R., Chief Judge Davy (Native Land Court) and Mrs Davy, Dr and Mrs Fitchett, Mr and Mrs T. K. Macdonald and Mr T. Turnbull.

Shortly after 10 the train arrived at Pigeon Bush. The scene of the picnic was a nicelywooded property close to the station, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Tringham. As the visitors approached the Maoris emerged from the trees, and were quickly marshalled into line by the chiefs Mahupuku, Tunui-a-rangi and Aporo, and a song of welcome was raised to the accompaniment of the usual posturing and waving of sprays of foilage. As the visitors drew nearer the Maoris slowly retreated before them, turning round at intervals to renew the welcome. Under the trees tents were dotted about here and there, and settlers’ horses and traps wore much in evidence. Fully a thousand persons appeared to be present, all parts of the Wairarapa being represented, the ladies being as numerous as the gentlemen. Amongst those in'attendahce were Mr A!. W. Hogg, M.H.R., Mr W. Buchanan, M.H.R., Judge Butler, Mr A.' Matthews (chairman of the 'Vyfifrarapa Riyer Board), Mr. Sheridan (Native Land Purchase Office), Rev W. Rowse (for many years a missionary among the Wairarapa Natives), Rev Charles Cargill (a clergyman pf the Anglican Church, recently arrived from England), Mr and Mrs Tringham, Mr J. C. McKerrow, Mr J. D. Hegarty (Mayor of (dreytown), Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., Messrs Coleman Phillips, J. O. Bidwill, H. and L>. McMaster, C. J. Tully, YV’ F. Roydhouse (Wairarapa Standard), ffi. E. Price, J.P., Chas. Hume, and the chiefs Ratinia Tukori (Lower Valley), Wi Hutana (Martinborough), Hapeta (Masterton), Kingi Ngatuere (a chief of great weight—29 stone), and Nireaha Tatpaki (Fprty-milp, Bush). Mr )|nd Seddcn lyere conducted to geat.4 reserved for tpenr under the shade of an umbrageous tree, and the pienic party having been drawn up around them, Messrs Price and Lewis (photographers) proceeded to take views, a Maori chief holding a epear with an eel dangling Iromits point standing up in the foreground to give emblematic significance to tbe group. Just at noon the formal reception began. The Premier and Mrs Seddon were e-corted to two arm-chairs placed upon a Maori mat, and the picnickers, both Native and European, seated themselves upon tho surrounding sward, forming a large circle. lamahau Mahupuku advanced into the enclosure in front of the circle and prefaced his speech according to Native custom by intoning a chant of welcome, having special tfefererice to 1 the handing over of the lake, which was compared to a noble canoe that was being hauled to its final mooring-place, thereto be regretfully taken leave of by those who had so long voyaged in'it, ' Ho then spoke aAfodows, Mr \V. H. G'oft'e acting as interpreter : —-Greeting - to the Queen, and t 6 you her representative'. May her influence extend for ever and ever. We have been living in darkness, but to-day tbe sun is shining, find we are warmed and illuminated by its beams: In olden times you white people were far distant from us, but now we are together, and it is throilgh the work of grace that you are' here assembled to-day. We wish long life and health to the Government, and also to the Governor, the representative of the Queen. Welcome ! welcome to this spot the Protectors'of the Maoris and Europeans : the Government. Welcome, 'M? Seduon. Come here to Wairarapa" sq that you may be able to ddte the remnant of the gf eat people that once dwelt'in the land. 7 All'the wise people' are dead. Wfnr r<Le sole representatives-. We wish : health to the people'-who'ate hoW Settled' id. New Zealand, ' fin'd we hope yhbpeople who living on the

borders of the Wairarapa Lake may have long life and health, so that they may be able to appreciate the benefits that have been extended to them. Welcome to you, Mr Matthews, chairman of the River Board of the Wairarapa. Welcome you the people who are present at our invitation to join in this picnic. May you have longlife and prosperity and health to enjoy yourselves. Greetings to the representatives of this district in Parliament, Mr Buchanan and Mr Hogg; also to the. Stipendiary Magistrate (Mr Hutchison), and also all the Civil servants and other servants of the Queen. Greetings to you, Mr Seddon, welcome to your wife and children. We are glad to see you all at our picnic. We, the Native people, have gathered here to receive you and to celebrate the settlement of the lake question. Welcome also our younger brother and adviser, the Hon Mr Carroll. He came to us as a chief, and as a chief we received him. His request to us as from one chief to another was that the Wairarapa lakes should be handed over to him. I then stood up, as representative of all the tribes and people of Wairarapa, and said “ Yes,” and I hereby hand the lakes over to you. I make this explanation because it might be thought there was truth in the paragraph published by a certain newspaper that we had sold our rights in the lakes for the sum of .£2O<JO. It is not so. We deliberately of our own free will handed over the lakes. We gave them as a present from one chief to another, and we therefore hope the Government will also treat xis liberally in this matter as we do them. The question of our rights in these lakes has been fought out from the start in 1876. We are the sole representatives of the people who maintained those rights, and we are really but children as compared with them in matters of knowledge. We, as the children, thought it would be the best way to heal the breach between the Maoris and the Europeans and settle this great question of the government of the lakes. We thought it best that an amicable arrangement should be arrived at for the settlement of this vexed question between the two races. Greetings to all who have come here from Wellington. Greetings to the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, whom we heartily welcome. I hope you will be long preserved to represent us, the Maori race. Longlifeto you, Mrs Seddon,and your children.

Speeches couched in a similar strain were then delivered by Tunui-a-rangi, Hoani Te Rangitakaiwaho and Te Whataliora (Jury). They all laid emphasis upon the fact that the handing over of the Native rights in the lakes was a free gift and in no sense a sale. Tunui-a-rangi suggested that a defined line should ho drawn, within which the Natives might ibe allowed to pursue their fishing operations without let or hindrance.

Mr A. Matthews said that as chairman of the River Board and as the sop of a very old settler, ho wished to, heartily thank the Native speakers for the kindly allusion they had made to the old settlers. During a residence of 3G years in the Wairarapa he had never met with anything else but kindness from the Native race. He was extremely pleased to see such a large gathering that day, and to note the capital feeling that existed between both races. Never, he believed, had there been such a gathering of tho Natives on the western lake since the Europeans came to the Colony. On behalf of the River Board and the settlers interested in the lake question, he congratulated the Government upon the services they had rendered -in having brought this difficult question so near a inost satisfactory solution. Trouble in connection with the lake had' existed to his knowledge for at least 30 years, aud dating that, time, in view of the feeling whioh tho settlers had in cqnnection with tho matter, it was surprising to him that friendly relations were always maintained with the Natives. In Ids opinion, that was largely due to the forbearance the Natives had shown on many occasions. On several occasions the River Board had opened the lake certainly against the interests of the Natives. But tho Natives on nearly every occasion, while 'protesting against the action of the Board, had, after a Lur'discussion, left them on the most friendly terms, on all ocoasions insisting on shaking hands prior to leaving. One chief, whose death they all very much regretted, Piripi to Maari, had assured him he had no personal feeling in the matter, i But all feeling would now be entirely removed. Successive Governments had attempted to deal with this question, hut had failed. Great credit wa-j therefore duo to the present Government far having brought the I nrqctpr to' ao satisfactory a stage. (Applause.) ' Mr W. Buchanan, M.H.R., wished, as one of the representatives of the district, to thank Tainahau for the kindly welcome he had extended to all that day. Since the district was settled the Kuropeans had been indebted to the Natives for many kindnesses On behalf of. the settlers he reoiprocated those kindnesses. The history of the Wairarapa was unique in the history of the North'lsland. It was the only district of any extent in this island where blood had not been shed between Natives and Europeans. (Applause T-bhy were met that day to ratify tb t e 30biiement of one of the most difficult questions that had. ever arisen between the Natives and the Europeans.- (Applause.) He ventured to say there had not been a single incident; connected with this long-existent difficulty that had not been creditable 'to both Natives and' Europeans concerned. Ldpg might fhe : 'feeliAgs between the two races be fifi they were, tfffit' day. A special measure of praise was due tet th‘e Hon Mr Carroll, sq modestly sitting at the back, for his efforts

in settling 1 this Wairarapa Lake difficulty—(hear, hear) —and political differences would not prevent him from awarding what was due to the Government, viz., a meed of praise for the part they had taken in settling the difficulty. (Applause.) As representing both races in the Wairarapa, he welcomed the Premier as representing the Government, and congratulated him upon the success of his efforts. (Applause.) THE LUNCHEON. At the suggestion of the Premier an adjournment was made for refreshment, as his reply would take some time. The Native women and young men, who had during the speechifying been busied with the preparations for the repast, had made good use of their time. Upon a stretch of level green sward l shaded by trees long strips of white calico had been stretched out in rows, and upon their spotless surface were little piles of biscuit and currant cake at regular intervals, flanked by bottles of ale, loaves of bread, and plates of cheese cut into squares. As the guests seated themselves the Maori youths and maidens bore from the hangis, or Native ovens, joints of well-cooked meat and kits containing a savoury stew of eels, followed by kettles of tea. Some of the Maori youths in great glee called out as they carried the tea kettles around : “ Here you are, tea overdone, tea underdone, and tea well done.” The guests had sharpened appetites and did full justice to the very substantial meaL provided for them. Dinner over, there was a gradual movement towards the korero circle and very soon a considerable crowd had gathered. THE SPEECHES. The Pi-emier, who was received with applause, said —Chiefs of the Native race: Tamahau, Tunui-a-rangi, Manihcra and Jury ; all those Native chiefs who have been gathered to their forefathers, but who still live in the memory of those of the Native race that I am addressing—Hiko, Te Miha, Manihera, Wi Kingi, Ti Kawenga, Piripi te Maari —greetings. Those who have passed away cannot listen to my words, but by those chiefs who are present and those of the Native race whose interest they have always studied my words will be heard, and I hopo will have a beneficial effect. Almost the last words of the last of the departed chiefs whom I have just mentioned Piripi te Maari —were “Settle the lake question.” (Hear, hear.) I think the words that were uttered by Mr Buchanan, the member for this district, Avhen ho said that the Wairarapa was unique so far as the history of the Colony was concerned, inasmuch as within its bounds there had always been loye, friendship and peace, as between tho two races, and that no blood had ever been shed, are all the more powerful when supported by the statement that when difficulties existed as between the two race all those difficulties should be settled upon the lines of friendship. To those of the Native race who to-day are entertaining us it is simply history repeating himself. If is but another instance of the Native race extending to the Europeans that hospitality which they have ever practised since Europeans first came to the Colony. The opportunity has been embraced by the Natives of the Wairarapa to show to the Europeans an example which I trust will ever be followed, because if followed it will be to the advantage of both races. The settlement of the | Wairarapa Lake question is national. It is not purely local. It lias been known by the Natives of New Zealand from one end of it to the other that tho Natives of the Wairarapa were suffering an injustice. And when that difficulty is removed the Natives of the j Wairarapa say to all those within a reason- j able limit, “Come with us, come to us, re- ; joice with us. Our difficulty is removed. | The mist has gone from the moun-

tains. VVe are now a happy and contented people, and we wisli you to come, with us to-rejoice.” And a nicer, ir.040 agreeable and more fitting way to commemorate the settlement of the Wairarapa Lake question no European’could conceive. I, therefore, give Very great credit indeed to our Native friends who have taken this opportunity, asking us to meat them and rejoice with them in the removal of their great grievance. 'ln' the days to come, when those who ajfe. here present have been gathered,- io."iherr forefathers, on the pages of flic history of this country tipis <-V,y Will be marked, and will be looked back upon and read of witli pleasure by those'who are to take our places. You have hoard to-day, and in the records of the Government archives you will find, that for 30 long years has this difficulty existed. Thove have been the .Vogel Government, tho Atkinson Government, the Grey Government, the Hall Government. U-m Whitaker-Atkinson Government, i»W' Stout-Vogel Government, an,d the Atkinson Government, but it has 1 been left to'the present Government to settle this vexed question. Now, during these, ah f ye'ars'we have been told on reliable, authority, and the proof, of course, is to bo found in the fact, that notwithstanding there have been bitternesses 'occasionally, yet there has been Vjo. uuoh violation of the law as to make it hboessary that the law should be invoke;* io j) deprive either side iu this struggle of 'their 1 liberty. It has been ?, struggle" continued i upori constitutional and; legal lines.' And j there ik one thing Above all'others to : day that 3 gave me Very great' pleasure, find, the,t. was that the first name inentipnaxi bore by sp'cukerk of tk'e Native ruofi was the name of our good, beoVtilulaiid loving Queen Victoria. To yep, cl tAe Native race she is your mother ; r.a her you must look as children for the redressing of any wrongs under which you suffer, bho has Ijfer direct servant here in

■ / the person of His Excellency the Governor. [ j To him also as her representative you gave > kindly greeting, wished him long life and • hoped he would have a long reign in the position he occupies to be the true servant of Her Majesty. Then, next m order, to my humble : self and to those near and dear to me you extended a hearty welcome, a kindly greeting, a greeting of love and friendship. I can only say that I thank you very warmly indeed for that welcome. 1 can only again say that while I am to-day here in an official capacity as Minister of the native race and as Premier of this Colony, I trust that I am one of the most humble individuals on the present occasion. lam speaking now as the chief servant of the Native race as well as of the Europeans of New Zealand. For thiry years you have laboured under this difficulty connected with the Wairarapa Lake, and at the end of thirty .years to be told in the language that has been used to-day that you have ever been law-abiding, that there never has been any ill-feeling between you and the settlers, that when from time to time you have met them and asserted your rights you have separated with the shaking of hands, is to place on record a noble example, and an example that should be followed by the civilised nations of the world. I remember one episode in your struggles which has always seemed to be somewhat amusing, and which has at the same time served to show me that the Native race are always equal to an emergency, or that if the Native men are sometimes not equal to it the Native women are. On one occasion when the settlers and the Natives were disputing as to the opening of the waters of the lake to the sea the settlers joined hands to keep back the Natives so that they could not come near the workers who were constructing the channel to allow the water to flow off. With the bone and muscle they had there and the determination they displayed to maintainthe cii'ele.they would have kept out the Native men, but when the Native women came, well, they were gallant, they were like Englishmen—they could not resist. Accordingly the Native women broke the lines and they stopped the shovelling, and on that day the glory of the battle had to go with the wahin.es. Then there, is a phase of this question that I wish to say to each of those more particularly interested, both Natives and Europeans, was a phase which I ever disagreed with. That was when you went into the law Coiu'ts and fattened the lawyers. Your money disappeared like snow from the mountain tops ; you impoverished yourselves ; your lands were gone from you for the purpose of maintaining this struggle. I never like to see, whether among Europeans or Maoris, good money thrown away by people going to law, and I tell you, both races here assembled, that had it not been at the start that I put down my foot and said there should be no lawyer aild no law proceedings with respect to this settlement, we should not be here enjoying ourselves to-day. (Hear, hear.) It has been that cause whioli has prevented previous administrations from being able to settle your difficulties. Time after time you have approached tho General Assembly in a constitutional and proper manner ; you have asked by petition for the redress of grievances, and I commend that course to the Native race as I commend it to the Europeans, booauso those who represent tho people must he just, and if a grievance exists it should be redressed. I will not be egotistical. I shall simply refer to these matters as passing events, but the fact nevertheless remains that with respccii to some Maori differences which. " existed a long way from Wellington, those have been the first to be removed. First there were grievances rp.rihof Auckland, and they were removed. The Natives were met there as you, have been met to-day ; the matter in dispute was discussed as botwoe

European and Native, and on the same. oasis ! as though it were between European and j European. By an interchange of thought, by an exchange of conitdonce, by each side putting their view.-} before the other by oonimon consent, an arrangement'was mado satisfactory &o both parties and just to all conoGinocL ’the same course was followed as regard?* the King Country, and you know today that the difficulties that there existed n,s between tlie Natives and the Europeans have been removed, and I believe if the Europeans were now to go into that country they would receive at the hands of tho King Natives the same hospitality thve they are now enjoying here. They, ve come to the difficulty in the Urewc.ru country. There you had what v.->. called in the papers a turbulent race of people. You were told that all those who had broken the lawp of the Europeans had flocked into that country, and that they were lawless ar,d open.at any time to revolt and to prey.eng cur laws taking effect. I sav hero, yrhih a duo sense of responsibility, that Kn- many years a great injustice was don© to the Natives of that part of New Zealand, and that the fault did not lie. when those Natives, at all. They had npt teegived that treatment, at the hands. air successive admjrdsisrations which bpen extended to Natives.in' aih«v ' pavts of the Colony. There, had. been a promise, mad© to thyK/by: Suylkmald McLean that their all events, unless they conseptpd —should be protected as?a Vu/j.t vUev-oaohment in the form of alienation of-their land, and they stipulated that a line should be drawn within which they should have the administration, ca their lands ; and it was owing to attempts being made from.' time to time to ignoce that promise and pledge and to encroach upon that line, and to endeavours being made to break through that an-ange-ment, that caused the Natives of the Urewer-a to become pouvi, They did not openly violate

tlie law, but they said “ Do not come near us ; the hospitality that we are proud of we cannot oiler you with freedom, nor can we use you as well as we would like to. In the meantime we must keep faith with those who have passed away. We must insist ou the Government keeping- the promise made by Sir Donald McLean. 1 ’ Only some three or four years ago, when the representative of Her Majesty the Queen, Governor Onslow, had arranged to go through the Urewera country, the representations made to him -were of such a character that he deemed it advisable under the circumstances not to proceed further than Ruatoki. Then the policy was determined upon to do with the Natives what has been done with you to-day—meeting you face to face—and we simply called upon them as loyal and law-abiding Natives to meet the representative of the Colony in the person of the Premier, and I need only say that in going throiigh the Urewera country no greater hospitality and kindness could be shown to any man than was shown to myself and the representative of the Native race in the Cabinet (the Hon Mr Carroll) and our party. They were questioned closely as to their grievances, and asked to let the Government of the Queen their mother know what those grievances were, being assured that they were 'her children, just as the European settlers were, and’ were entitled to and would receive her protection. When they were asked tho question as between man and man, then for the first time were tho Government able to deal with their grievance, because they knew- then what it was. I will only say now that the result i» satisfactory to them and to the Government - that at the present time we have roads being made through their lands, that they are a. happy and contented people, and that am arrangement has been made by which they will bo able to manage their own affairs, subject of course to our laws. A responsibility has been cast upon them, they have accepted that responsibility, and the-Urewera'difficulty has gone, in my opinion for all time. Weshall never hear more of it. Now, durino last session the representatives of tho Ureweras came down to Wellington, and we weresuccessful in having matters connected with their country arranged. There was at the same time a deputation down here m Wellington with' respect ta the settlement of the Wairarapa Lakequestion. And will it not strike you all? that when the Government had been able to. settle a difficulty having its seat so far away from Wellington that they were bound im common justice and in common honesty to do their best to settle a grievance which -tvas is*, existence within a stone’s throw, so to speak from Wellington, and which had lasted for 30 years ? Petitions had been sent to Parliament. and favourable reports had been given but given simply to procrastinate, leaving it to tho Government to consider. This was thestate of things that existed for the last quarter of a century. The representative m the Cabinet of the Native raco and you*' humblo servant conferred together, and we made up our minds that we would settle the Wairarapa Lake difficulty. We asked that those representing the Natives in Wellington might remain behind, for when you have to go through the papers and records of 30 years’ it takes some time. If you want to be just to the Colony and fair to the Natives, you must master the subject, eg otherwise you, may come to an unjust conckv .-..um Anyone going through those records will easily understand how it was that previous administrations had not been able to settle this difficulty. I almost felt myself, after I had gone through thepapers, that it would bo next to impossible to. do that unless the Natives would meet us on equitable grounds and that they were akilike the Government, desirous of having the question settled. And I here desi-c to S av to tuo Natives assembled and. ha tho It'nmnMni. also present that those chiefs who met the Government after t-a Government’s mind was made known, eo them expressed their heartfelt desyro to put an end to the difficulties any, to carry out the last request of I? v"’ Nnn° only recently then passed • r i when both parties were desirous oi coming to an amicable and equitable agreement it became a very easy work, more particularly as I felt thlt the Nativefif terosted had entered into the negotiations in T. ' S , l ? l , rit an f* W)th a desire of having that tiouble put an end to once and for all A *‘f to tb ose chiefs that both settlers and Natives are indebted for the benefit mat will be eomerred by this sneed ‘ profitable and equitable settlement whLj/f’ m the interest of both races (Hear u \ When I listened to-day to the to the song of farewell J > bidding adieu to that ’lake CtU u f m loved so long, which is investTrl w^ h<3y have na.n open to tnem a living neee<?RiAr t \ - fhm thffcart is There’if * 1: k rp.nt joined with’theirs* people th“ nch m our P»»‘ history as a, people that we venerate. We venm-nto feV? "T dear, and though we Say tee-, ! , that it has cone aww , fl , been forgotten. Neither will the Lake be forgotten by the Natives and’ though they have said farewell to it it wire remain there. It belongs to the Queen K u d they still have an interest in it the same 1 " any other subject of Her, Majesty. Vea Ld' “r JS$ Si! & - ferj

had been expenses incurred which we considered ought to be reimbursed and we had the sum mentioned. But the lake was not bought for <£2ooo. It was given to the Government, and was accepted in that spirit, and in that spirit shall it ever be dealt with. Let any European, or let the Government, we will say, be possessed. of such a magnificent property as that — admitting that .thelegal rights of the Natives were secure, and then dealing with the taking away of those legal rights, and conceding that under treaties in the past those legal rights existed —ask yourselves the question whether a paltry .£2OOO was the value of that property , and your answer would be “ Certainly not.” Had it not been an act of friendship on the part of the Natives, and had there not been a desire on the. part of the Colony in the interests of the Natives and the Wairarapa settlers to remove once and for all this difficulty, so that you may live and prosper together as a happy and contented people, the settlement which has been effected could not have been brought about. And I would also ask, Would it be necessary, would it be wise, that we should put in a peg and say, tTp to that limit the Natives had their rights to fish," and up to that limit the settlars would not interfere with them P One chief expressed at all events the desire to know whether that would be a desirable thing to do. I will give you my reply to that presently. I say it is unnecessary to do anything in the shape of a visible mark here. You have here a peg put in in the shape of the head of the Government in the face of all these witnesses here, and in the face of the representatives of the Native race. That is the peg you must depend upon. Other pegs might be removed. Let us take each other’s word, and act honourably in the interest of both raees. I give that peg to you. It has been passed by the Court, and the lake is vested in the Queen with the right for yo;i to use and fish in. Every liberty given to the European in respect of that lake is given also to every member of the Native race in the Wairarapa, or elsewhere, I care not what part of New Zealand he comes from, and I s&Y this now in case the approaches to the lake might be denied to you. Governments come and Governments go, but there is one thing I think that must be done, and that as to ensure to the Natives and to all HexMajesty’s subjects the right-of-way to that lake. (Hear, hear.) It will be necessary also that there shall be a piece of land set apart, -bo that when the Natives go to fish they will be able to camp upon that land without running the risk of having that right denied, as might be the case if it passed into iho hands of private individuals. Now in •eonnection with that lake, and I hope thatmy words will convey my meaning, J desire it to foe said here that the Acclimatisation Society shall not come and put their fish into the lake, and from the fact of doing that take away the rights which to-day you possess. (Hear, hear.) I say that such a course as that would be against the spirit of our agreement to-day. I want my words in t kh respect to be recorded, fbecause I shall pass away and you will pass away, but for all time I wish it recorded that Ifche Natives shall not be impeded in fishing wnd obtaining from the lake the food they are entitled to by the Treaty of Waitangi, and which they are entitled to by special treaty rights through the dispute which has oeearred. Now I also have very great ploiir eure in having proved to the world that you can bring the Courts which have to deal with Native-questions to the Native villages, and the decisions of the Court thorp, will bo just as equitable and fair and as righteous as they were if held in the township, and chey were furnished with those very unnecessary s.iriroundings which have been the curse of the Native race with respect to the litigation that *baßtaken place in the past. (Hear, hear and applause.) Mr Carroll and myself have often •discussed this .question, and olttjmes said, '■“Why not take tho Courts to the Native •rrillages ?nd the people whose land we are passing xtbwosh the Courts, .instead pf

forcing the people miles away from home, with the result that they are cast in very heavy expense, besides being beset with temptations that they are unable to resist, and which spring from the darker side of our civilisation, thereby demoralising and degrading frequently this noble race?” (Hear, hear.) Ilbelieve also that in the presence of their own people, and influenced by the knowledge that the things of which they speak are commonly known, the Native witnesses are more likely to speak the truth than when they get away from the eyes of their own people and in the hands of those lawyers who ofttimes make them say what they never intended to say. (Hear, hear.) Mr Seddon went on to express the sincere thanks of the Government to the officers of the Native Land Court for their share in completing the arrangement, and in this connection he referred to the hearty welcome which the Natives had tendered to Chief Judge Davy. He also paid a warm tribute of praise to the services rendered by Judge Butler and Mr Sheridan, Native Land Purchase Officer. He reciprocated the sentiments of the Native speakers that there would be a cemented friendship between both races for all time, and hoped that the settlers of the Wairarapa, as they enjoyed the blessings by which they were surrounded, would help their Native brethren to attain a share of these blessings. The Maoris of to-day were the remnant of a once numerous and always noble race. He believed they would be able to preserve this race,and in this connection it was an eminently pleasing feature of that day’s gathering to find present so many dear little children of the Native race. In the name of the guests he offered sincere thanks to the Natives who had so well entertained them that day. It now rested with the settlers of the Wairarapa to return the compliment by inviting the Natives to a similar picnic. If his rather bi-oad hint were accepted nothing would give himself, Mrs Seddon and the members of their family greater pleasure than to accept an invitation to be present on such an occasion. He occasionally looked at himself as he was bound to do, and he bad come to the conclusion that he was assuming very large proportions, but he almost relt himself to be a skeleton when he looked at the generous figure of one of the chiefs who were present that day. It was said that wherever there was a, banquet _ the Premier would be found in the middle of it. But although he had been at some banquets, the Maori friend to whom he alluded must have been at many more, or else there was a fattening property in the eels that came out of the Wairarapa Lake such as he had novor known. (Laughter and applause.) If that were so then in time the Wairarapa Lake would como to bo known as one of the sanatoriums of New Zealand. (Laughter.) The Premier went on to express the regret of the Minister of Lands at his inability to be present, and to assure the Natives of Mr ijil.efCsnzie’s good wishes and entire sympathy. After expressing the hope that the amity, friendship and good fellowship which existed that day between both races would ever continue, Mr Sodden concluded by calling for three hearty cheers for the Natives who had .so hospitably entertained the visitors that day. The cheers were lustily given, and were fallowed by three cheers for the Premier, and prje cheer more for the interpreter. CONCLUSION. Rain -was beginning to fall when the Premier closed Ins speech, bet the programme was not yet exhausted. A bakg was to follow. Two lines of Maori belles and yqqiljs were I formed, and to the accompaniment of a xt/thmical chant they went through the poi crorpiso, to which a haka succeeded, and then another dance to the accompaniment ot music from a concertina. During this performance Mrs Arete Mahupuku and Miss Miniwa Heremaia (daughter of the late chief Heremaia Tamaihofcua) presented Mr and Mrs Seddon with handsome Native mats which they i fastened around their shoulders. The

mat given to the Premier was handsomely worked with feathers, the admixture of peacock’s plumes imparting to it quite a gorgeous hue. Mats were also presented to Mr Carroll and Mrs Davy, and more photographic views were taken. After cheers had been given for the Natives and returned by them, the visitors moved off to the railway station just as the rain settled down to steady business. Before boarding the train the Premier proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Tringham for granting the use of his property. The vote was passed with cheers. At a quarter to five the train steamed off for Wellington, amid an exchange of enthusiastic cheering between Natives and Europeans. So ended a picnic which will live long in the memory of those who participated in it.