THE MANAWATU PURCHASE.

Timaru Herald, Volume V, Issue 110, 16 June 1866, Page 6

THE MANAWATU PURCHASE.

The following letter has been forwarded to the Press for publication : —

[translation.]

To Mr. FitzGerald. Greeting. Will von print this m the Press as a reply to the Wellington newspaper of the 14th May. That paper says that the words of Parakaia and Henry are incorrect. I say that what they said at the meeting at Manawatu was perfectly correct. 1 heard no assent to the sale from the chiefs aud the people of Ngatirauhawa — none whatever. That newspaper says that the chiefs assented, both Aperahama and Napier, and their follow chiefs, as far as Te Reureu and Orona. This is a false statement of this newspaper. The only persons I heard assent to the sale of Rangitikei, were Papa Rei, Iloromona, Ihapara, Wi Pukapuka, Noa, Paora, Hori Kerei, Tamihana,- Te [{auparaha, Watene, aud Tamihana Whareakaka. These are the only persons who stood up m Dr. Featherston's presence and spoke m favor of the sale.

The majority of the chiefs were against it. Listen. Mr. FitzGerald. On the sth of April all the tribes assembled at Hikareti on Manawatu. Henry stood, up to explain tne olijeefc of tKe meeting, which was to have the restriction taken off the land from Ohau to Rangitikei, that it might be free, to be rented or subdivided, and held under Crown grants. Dr. Featherston made no reply. Parakaia rose and read out two papers m the presence of Dr. Featherston and the meeting m reference to Rangitikei, and the desire of Xgatiax^a and Whanganui to sell (on a former occasion). It was agreed that the north side should be given up to Ngatiapa, .this side was withheld by Ngatiraukawa from Governor Grey, and Mr. McLean to be permanently kept by them. That agreement remained. Subsequently, Ngatiapa wished to sell this side of Rangitikei. lhakpra joined them m wishing to sell from Rangitikei to Manawatu to Governor Browne and Mr. McLean. Rangitikei was still kept down to the bouudary of the block sold to Governor Browne. Afterwards Te Aim o Turanga was given \vp to Hiraname, to satisfy his desire to sell to Dr. Featherston. When Parakaia had finished reading this aloud, he gave it to Mr. Buller, who refused to receive it. Again, his paper referring to his piece of land within the block sold to Governor Browne, that is Pareto, which Dr. Featherston bad bought secretly, this was read aloud, and then given to Mr. Buller. The chiefs who supported Parakaia ie what he said, were Aperahama Te Hurunura, Nepia, Aperahama Te Ruru, Epiha, Heremia, Hare Henu, Paranihi, Wirihariu, Henere Te Herekau, Keremihana, Pohutohu, Kepa, Arapata Te Whioi, and many other chiefs, with the tribes supporting them. These desired that the land between Rangitikei and . Manawatn should be kept. This newspaper says that trouble will arise from the number _ of the tribes ; not so, They are the same tribe who have been living there ever since the North bank of Rangitikei was sold. There have only two new tribes sprang up here, the Kingites and the Hau-haus, and there has no disturbance arisen front those tribes, from Wellington to Rangitikei. This newspaper may say there will be a distnrbance (from the differences of the tribes), I think not.

According to this newspaper, the ICth was the day on which many chiefs of the Ngatiraukawa assented— this is false; they did not assent. On that day, on the 16th, at five o'clock m the morning, the meeting broke up. Those only remained who agreed with Dr. Featherston and a part of Ngatiraukawa, that is those connected with Ihakara,. All that Parakaia said was perfectly true, it was as straight as a wire.

From Rawiiu Te Wajotl