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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XV, Issue 1575, 5 September 1860, Page 2

The following letter appeared in the New Zealander of August 22, in reply to the Rev. R. Burrows’ letter published in our last number : —

To the Editor of the New Zealander, Sin,-In consequence of some editorial remntks winch appear in the southern Crose of ycslcrdav respecting the late Native Conference at Kohirnnrama, introducing a letter from the Rev. 11. Burrows, m which he states that the resolution No. - condemnatory of the King movement and No. rnmlaninntniv nf Wm - j*. —

not unanimously passed, I feel bound, as a witness of what took place, to state that the 2nd resolution was assented to by all the Chiefs with the exception of a small party, about ten in nuin*ber, who were connected with the movement, and who, from fear of compromising themselves, neither affirmed nor opposed that resolution. The Chairman, before putting the resolutions, expressly told the Chiefs that those in favour of the resolution should signify their approbation by lifting uptbeir hands; —and, to avoid confusion, as all the Natives were nut used to lhe English form of passing resolutions, those of them who disapproved or had anything to say against all or any one of the motions, were invited to come forward and frankly state such objections. Some confusion did arise, but it was occasioned by a few of the aged Chiefs when the 3rd resolution was being passed, not from opposition to the resolution, as you will presently see, but from a temporary misunderstanding as to the full scope of its wording. In order, however, that there should be no misapprehension or mistake resting on the minds of the Chiefs, the Chairman, after the meeting was over, directed that the resolutions should be sent that evening to the several wards and freely discussed amongst the Chiefs, without any official or, indeed, any European, being present He gave them at the same time to understand that any resolution objected to should be either altogether omitted or, at the option of the movers, put to them again in an amended form. On the following morning (Saturday) the Chiefs assembled in the Conference Hall, and there publicly expressed their entire opprobation of all the resolutions, which were then eagerly signed by one hundred and seven of the Chiefs, three only having expressed any dissent, and that only from the 3rd resolution.

I enclose you a copy of the resolutions with the signatures attached ; merely adding that had Mr. Burrows but expressed to any officer of the Native department the doubts he now appears to entertain as to the propriety of the mode in which the resolutions were put and passed, the explanations 1 now gtye would have been readily furnished to him, and he would have been spared the trouble of writing a letter which really conveys a very gtaye imputation against the Native Secretary as Chairman.

1 observed in the columns of the Cross a gratuitous statement of a farewell address presented to e K , o . ver,, °h having been “signed by a number of Natives without reading, but whieh when ex amined by one more wary than the rest, was seen to contain a condemna.ion of William King.” Having, in connection with Mr. Smith, Assistant Native Secretary, translated all the addresses, and never having seen the one referred to, I must in the most emphatic manner deny the truth of the allegation thus made in the Croos. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, H. T. Clarke, Resident Magistrate, Bay of Plenty.

Kesoiiifion 1-— ” That this Conference takes cognizance of the tact that the several chiefs, members thereof, are pledged to each other to do nothing inconsistent with their declared recognition of the Queen’s sovereignty, and of the union of the two races; also to discountenance all proceedings tending jo a breach of the covenant here solemnly entered into by them.”

Resolution 2—” That this Conference is of opinion that the project of setting up a Maori King in New Zealand is a cause of division and strife, and is fraught with troubles to the country.” Resolution 3 —“ That this Conference having heard explained the circumstances which led to the war at Taranaki is of opinion that the Governor was justified in the course taken by him; that William Kiugte Rangitake himself provoked the quarrel and that the proceedings of the latter are wholly indefensible.”

Resolution 4—“ That the Conference deprecates in the strongest manner the murders of unarmed Europeans, committed by the Natives now fighting at Taranaki.” °

Resolution s—*‘3 hat this Conference desires to thank the Bishop of New Zealand for his kindness in allowing them the use of the Buildings at Kohimarama.”

Resolution 6—“ I hat this Conference desires to thank his Excellency the Governor for his goodness to the Maori people ; that is for his constant kindness and love to them ; and also for granting them this great boon the Runanga whereby they are enabled to express their views, and propose measures for the settlement of the difficulties which arise among the native people.” Resolution 7—‘‘That this Conference desire to thank their friend Mr. for his great exertions on their behalf, and for his kindness to the natives of this Island of New Zealand.”

Wiremu Nero te Awataia, Hemi Matini, Hetaraka Nero, Tamati Waka xte Ruki, Hapeta Waka x Tona Tohu, Reweti Waikato x Tuna Tohu, Mohi Te Rongomau, Matutaere Pun”-a-awaka x, Winiata Pekamu Tohiteururangi, Tomika te Mutu x, Wiremu Patene Whitirangi x, Hamiora MatengaTu x, Hamuera te Paki x, Maihi te Pohepohe x, Menehira Kingi te Rakau, Makarini te Uhinika, Mohi Kupe x, Topinete Amohau x, Te Herewini te Tamati Wharehinaki x, Aomarere te Puna, Takeiei ie Mawe x, E Hope, Wiremu Kingi Ttuepakihirangi, Taiapo te Waiatua x, Ngahurnburu x, Tauaru x, Ngarama te Tipitipi x, King Wiremu Hakitara x, Hemi Parai x, Te Rawharitua x, Himiona Mohaka, Manihera Teliina o te Rangi, Hori Te Kotuku, Kihirini te Taaahu, Taiaroa x, Perenara te Haukopo, Parakaia Tararoa x, Hohepa Tamaihengia Ngatitoa x, Hohaia Pokaitara, Nopera te Ngiha x, Ropata Hurumutu x, Horopapera Pukeko x, Rawiri Waitera Hikihiki x, Te Rapihana Otaota, Hipimana Ngapiko, Kuruho Rangimaru, Moroati Kiharoa, Ihakara Tukuinaru, Horomona Toremi x, Tamihana te Rauparaha, Matene te Whiwhi, Te Ahu Kararnu x tona tohu, Parakaia te Pouepa, Wiremu te Ahukararau, Paora Tuhaere* Keene x, Paraone te Rangi, Hori Niniana* Manukau Rewarewa, Kepa te Ahu, Eruera Kahawai x tona tohu, H enare Kepa te Ngae x, Te Reanuku x, Na te Hemara, Na Henare Winiata, Na Paratene x, Nga Heremoko Rauparaha, Wiremu KingiTuahangata, Arama Karaka, Kaimkex, Paikea Tehekenax, Arama Karakangakete, Pakirori x, Pehimana Hanga x, Taraipine Tcama x, Pera Taiki, James Paraia Pomare, Ruarangi, Timothy, James, Tame x Wiremu, HoriKingi x, TahanaTuroa, Kawana Paipai, Mete Kingi x, Mawae x, Hori Kerei teNaeroax, Pehimana Kamaraina, Ihakara Rangiahua, Hapurona Tohikura, Reihana Parn’.ii. NgA Pomaie x, Maihi P Kawiti, Manihera te Iwitahi, Wiiumu Pohe x, Wiremu Pomaic, Uui;«.Vmii te Hare Pomare, Pvtaera Warerani x, Kainamu Tarapo x, Koiniui *c- R.mginoa x, 1 e Mutu Kuri x, Hoani H 'retnn Hipangc-, Tamati Wiremu Puna x. We agree to these Resolutions with the exception of one, which is nut clear, and from which we dissent, viz., Resolution 3—“ That this Conference having heard explained the circumstances which led to the war at Taranaki, is of opinion that the Governor was justified in the course taken by him, that William King Te Rangitake himself provoked the quarrel and that lhe proceedings of the latter are wholly indefensible.” This is the resolution from which we dissent. (Signed) Wi REMU TeMIHANA TE NeKE. Te Mani her a Matangi. Ei’lHa Karoro. Witness to Signatures, Henry T. Clarke, Resident Magistrate, Bay of Plenty.