TIIE FIRST MAORI PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 180, 25 June 1862, Page 5

TIIE FIRST MAORI PARLIAMENT.

An account is given in the Maori Messenger of May 23, of the First District Runuuga, bald under the new regulations, from the pen of Mr. Geo. Clarke, civil commissioner in the Bay of Islands. It began on March 25, and the following are the most important of Mr. Clarke's remarks respecting- it: — The proceedings of the first day—namely, 25Ui —Kill for a,few observations. About 500 natives were assembled at the AVaihiate: and at the request of Tainati Waka, and many other chiefs, who were not members of the 'Runanga, the day was given to them todisciKS the new policy in their own way, as a preliminary for its formal introduction on the morrow. • It was gratifying to learn that no objections were raised to'-any of the appointed members of the ltunanga by the assembled chiefs, and there is every reason to believe, < lint if there had been an eleatlon tomorrow, those chiefs who have been already approved of by the Government, would have been returned by the people as members of the Runanga, to represent the district.1 The. only complaint I could hear was that the number of representatives was far 100 small, and when reminded that two more members could be nominated by the Hunanga during the session, their reply was, " that there ought to be ten in place of two," and I apprehended that there would be great difficulty and dissatisfaction upon this poiut. On1 the 26th, accompanied by the magistrates and interpreters of the district, with several English ladies and gentlemen, I met the chiefs of the Ruuanga to open our first session in the order as stated ??i the minutes. . ' • (On tlie 20th, Mr, Clarke, the president, delivered in opening address explanatory of the desire of the Government to introduce law and order among them (hrough their ovm instrumentality.) 1 Thanks were voted jpr the address, and standing orders moved and agreed to. On ; the 27th the real business of the session commenced ; t.he first subject .discussed was the organization of the district. In considering the organization of the diatrl.'t, some of the members remarked that the subject was too important, to be lightly entered upon. I was of the same opinion, and was glad of an opportunity of advising them to pass a resolution to have the papers printed, so as to give the trovfirument time to make such amendments as might be more: fitting, or to prepare a more perfect 'organization to be laid ■before them at their next meeting, and to have copies of the proposed arrangements printed and placed iv their hands previous to' their beingcalled together. The next business was the selection of two more chiefs for the district Runansra; and, as I expected, most of the members had a-friend to provide for. (Several chiefs wore proposed, on whose qualificalions the commissioner comments, and then goes on to say)— >,;To prevent future, embarrassment, both to the government and the chiefs themselves, that after having finally determined o;i the number of chiefs to be admitted to the Runanga, and to ba.paid by the governmDiit, that if members wish any further augmentation of their numbers, the Rnuanga must find means of paying- them, as the . government can only admit them as ' honorary members. _ This I think, would gave both government and chiefs from being continually pestered with'applications from their friends. But before leaving this subject, I am prepared to advise the government that there should be an addition at of least three more members for this district, making them in all fifteen. The pipers referring to the payment of the members of the Runanga and other native oflicers were ■called for and laid before them, and in committee debated upon for hours. Nothing could convince them that they were on an equality, as members of theRunanga, while there was an inequality "of salary. The salaries of constables and wardens, they remarked, were cqual,-and why should not theirs be"? They could not comprehend how it was that a constable should be paid more than assessors. TiiPir decision will be found in the minutes of the day, and their debates anil arguments were often a credit to their understanding.

In revising the list of assessors they struck 'off five or six as useless ; but with the exception of Tnninti Hapimaua, whose name was erased as a notorious drunkard, it appears to me that the others should return their pittance as a pension, being very old men. Mntiii Peno Taui was struck off with the rest, having kir, tho district. I hope at an early convenience to supply you with a complete list of assessors in the district, with a few suggestions for the further improvement and efficiency of these officers. The Runanaa adjourned at N about 11 o'clock, after sitting nearly 1!) horns. On the 28th the native chiefs began to shew symptoms of uneasiness, and I found it would be impossible to keep them in good humour for business much longer; therefore at their unanimous request, I agreed to close this, pur first session, in the evening, j^iicH-rdid, just before 4 o'clock; .first passing several thT^a7re^wlieTe7~aiurT.iie time wTlen, it snouid be held. '•-,*■ It will be seen that much more was proposed for the consideration of the ltunanga than could have been got through in one session ; important subjects have been loft untouched. Much time was taken up in filling up offices, and I was unwilling either to hurry or weary the chiefs of the Runangn. It is only a be"' ining, but wi-h. the assistance of the government I hope to be able to make more comfortable provision for the next meeting, and secure more time for business. In the interim the chiofe will be much better prepared to understand their duties, I hope, that upon the whole, this first effort w.U meet with the approbation of the government. It has afforded mo satisfaction ; and too much cannot be said of the respectful and praiseworthy conduct of the chiefs and natives in general, upon the occasion. The meeting broke up with one cloud to darken our otherwise bright day, and that was an attempt by native settlers to Introduce spirits ; but with the exception of a few unsteady natives it waa a perfect failure ; harmony prevailed, and all returned to thenhomes much pleased.