THE MEETING BETWEEN SIR GEORGE GREY AND WITAKO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 261, 21 October 1862, Page 5

THE MEETING BETWEEN SIR GEORGE GREY AND WITAKO.

(From the Wellington Independent, Oct. 16.) The following account of the conversation' which passfd at this ijuervie-v w.-is furnished to us in the original by Wi TaU> himself, and Through the kindness of a con tribute!1, we arc enabled to present our readers, wi h a lit- ral translation. Oji the oth Oct., 18G2, Wi Tako and his Dative coiiipmious went to the Court House, where they saw Mr White, who said the Governor wishes to set: y<ru Wi Tako. Wi Tako accordingly went to the Governor's house, and the Governor asked him ;o speak. Wi 1 ako : No, you speak and I will listen. Governor: No, yuu speak, W, T. : Ye*, we had better go to the place which is called the Parliament of the natives (Government Office.) G . \ I will riot go there. W T.: I wi>h my party to hear wha*. is said. - G.: Ido n<-t consent; you must come over to me. W. T.: I ]iave come to see you. . d.: Yes, consent to join me in ray work. W. T.: I have come and joined my love with yours. G.: My love was finished when I^went to see you i at: Waikanae. W.T.: My love towards you is still unchanged. It exi>ts as before. G. : Will you not return to me ? "VV. T.: What I desire is love and good will. G.: 1 am not willing that you should stay at Waikanae, but would rather that you should go 1o ftgaruawahia, so that your place may be left open for my children. . : W. T. : I will not go to Ngaruawahia. I will remain at Waikanae. ; ; G.: If you remain atWaikanae, I will place soldiers there, and iv the adjacent dirtiicts. , W. T.: It is good. ■ The good, and the soldiers too, do come from the Governor. -..- ;,■■■.■,••. ; ix.: What is the good of your treading upon the 'Qo«-en? : ■;•;». • ■;• i' - .■ ' ' '.' ■'■ V.. , ;v. -..-■'.. W. T. : This is not treading upon the Queen. G.: What is the good of this troublesome work ? W., T. : Thjsreiea reason for it." "■ ■■}■:■'■ , G.: Say what is your reason ? . W. T. >v The people of this Island joined the Gnvernmeuc when- you were in England; jour -work was left to the English and Kative Lands Purchase Commißbiontra. Itawiri Waiaua was then killed, jib the neulfc of a laud purchase, It was requtsted that the liuropeans should join the .Natives in that quanel, Jbut they did not cousfi.t. After this there was the quarrtl of Nfiaiikahungutmi, fclai.uku egaiiist Moiinuij also as the result of a purchase ot hud. G.: Is this the reason why you, the people of this island, thould work tl.is troublesome work' 4 W. T. : 'Ihere are many other reatoiiS.'. G. : It is not good that such troublesome work efaould be carried on here under my nose, rather go and work that work at Waikato. W. T.: 1 will not go; 1 will remain at Waikanae. . G.; 1 will then send soldiers to Waikanae and the adjacent districts. • / W.T.: Itisfiood. G,: \\ hj shouid yoa stay there and* set up your flag ? Am lanoxto be flogged by that thing? if W. T.: Ihat.thiiin is;i»ot meant as a v hip for you, but rather asja sign of s< paration between the lands of Natives anu ti:ose oi hurtpei>ns. G.: It Igo to Tai-auakitu fight, will you not also W. T.: For which piece of land ? G.: For Tatanunaifaß,gfl

; W-.T.: If it is for the Waitar. ;-.. -.. «w winch pi'ace was made, the^ftlaone., ami make war against you, .but I skill u.r . 0 rjl . and n^ut. . ° <t. : Will the people of this IsUn.l l; i«i -> you $ I W T.: Yes; they will listen to me if the Kind's wor«c is what I think to be-right, they will cert? 7'v join ins if the work is correct. ■ " Gr.: I see you are a foolish peop'e. therefore I will :carry on my good work. . W. T. : Yes; you know we are fools; you are the knowing race, but why do you uoi show your wisdom i :';■■•■ G. • Vps ; to m* that is Tight, go on. From whence is your knowledge, chat you should come and address m«:ia tliis ni'iime:! W. T.: I have obtained my knowledge from y«"»- x ' . G.: Why should you then answer.me with what you are indebted to :ne foil W. T.: I tre:it you in a similar manner to what you t."-.'at those tiiat impart--knowledge' to you. a-'ul you did not adhere to them. ' " " The Governor replied in anger: it is not good, it is "xvtm ' you inusi cease talki»ff'and go. \v. T. : No; wo must talk quietly, and judge of tne^conclusion by what is said. ! <*. :I am not wiling-that you should remain there at Kumutoto (Tako's Town acre), you had better go j away, and leave tSiat place free to my children, as they are m want of food, * W '^V W'lafc f°o(i do you require for your chilurenl . J G : Do you not receive money for land which is protected by the Queen ? W. T. : that was given to me in the time of peace, wlipn. t.:ere was no division, now you are wishing to •take it back. «he thought is'witii you. G.: Why*tire you so obstinate ] W. T. : i am., not obstinate. lam fulfilling your request, you have bhown your love; I will act towards v>u in the same ruauuer in which you have aoel towards m«. G ; That will do. We will cease our talk. You c.vi go. W. T. : Yes ! farewell. lam going. Wi 'i\ko the talk between Gfrey and