The Waka Maori. WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1874. NGATIPOROU MEETING AT WHAREKAHIKA, HICK'S BAY.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 24, 1 December 1874, Page 294

The Waka Maori. WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1874. NGATIPOROU MEETING AT WHAREKAHIKA, HICK'S BAY.

(Concluded from the Waka, No. 23.) Te Hata Hokopaura desired that the Government should be asked to establish a mail from Waiapu to Raukokore, and from Raukokore to Taumata-o-Apanui, those being the only two places iu the district which were without a mail. Major Eopata informed the meeting that the matter was in the hands of Mr. Campbell, Besident Magistrate, and would be duly attended to. He then introduced the subject of police for Waiapu, also the erection of a Court House there, and said it was the desire of the Government that they should consider this subject. He also proposed, for the consideration of the meeting, that the oil district of "Waiapu should be adjudicated on by the Native Land Court. Bttka te Akatapu.—l approve of the appointment of police as a guard for us the weak ones, and a defence against the lawless ones, so that the orphan and the widow may live in peace, and well-doing and virtue increase. Much evil has arisen of late which might not have been if we had had police. "With respect to the Court House, there are two considerations—is it to be a Court House or a Land Purchasing House ? If it is to be a Court House for the accommodation of a Magistrate to put down the evil which disquiets us, it will be well. You (all) know the law can ward off evil-doing. I strongly approve of the oil district being adjudicated on by the Land Court. This (the Court) is not a thing newly appearing amongst us only. The Pakehas live in peace and safety under the protection of their laws; and the law will secure to a man the possession of that portion (of the oil district) which is his own. The law will protect him and ward off difficulties and complications, and it will assist the helpless against the encroachments of stronger and more powerful men. If a man trample upon the law, he himself will be trampled upon. If a man adhere to the law to the day of his death, then, notwithstanding his departure, the law will divide and apportion his property. Let him during his lifetime make arrange-

merits about his property, for we all know we shall not remain m this world for ever. If a man be wise, he will make a will. This would have no effect during his lifetime, but it is for the purpose of enabling the law to apportion his propertv among his children after his death. If he choose to leave his property to others than his children, to strangers, he can do so and none can dispute it. My friends I am explaining to you the benefits arising from the action of the Court, m the protection a man receives tor himself and his property. This is preferable to our Maori customs. The Court is not a bad institution ; it is our ignorance which produces the evil, and 1 say the Court is calculated to dispel our ignorance iiy wnyof illustration, let me suppose an iron box lull ot money is given to me, minus the keyhow am I to become acquainted with its contents? fco it this thing (the Court) be given to us, and knowledge be withheld—how are we to know ? The people would suffer from their ignorance. Now I ask which of these two things do you choose (i.e. knowledge or ignorance, the Court or dissension). Hotexe PoKoiniAXGi.—With record to the oil springs, I have to say that Iharaira and Captain Porter have long since tendered them to the Government: the delay is on the part of the Government—there will be no confusion or dissension. I expect the springs will not return sufficient money to pay the expenses of the Court; however, let there be a Court investigation Let the people consider the question ot police and the erection of a Court House, for we are a turbulent people. Ihahaira Houkamau.—l handed over the oil springs to Porter because thev were mine The boundaries were fixed in the time of my ancestors lou (Hoteive Porourangi) claim from Kuropohatu, and 1 from Tuwhakairiora. Your claim passed away at the fight of Tuwhakairiora and Te Wahine-iti It (the land) was then divided, this side for me and that side for you ; but you are encroaching. Tuwhakairiora had two children, and the oil belonged to Te Hukarerc. HotexeiPoKOmtANGi.—Both Iharaira and myself tendered the land (to the Government). I will'have no Court investigation of the portion which is mine. Herewint Tamaiiori.—lt will be a good thing to send us policemen and their chains (handcuffs) and to erect a Court House. Let the (claims to the) oil country be investigated by the Court. Te Mokena.—The Government has sanctioned a sum ot £l5O for building a Court House. It is for us to supplement it. men come with their chains, and their staves, and a lock-up. Let us supplement the money for the Court House. I approve of the (Land) Court I have oil in my district. The (Land) Court is medicine for the land. Peka te Krai.—Let policemen be appointed, and a Court House be erected. Let us also have the (Land) Court. Nevertheless, I say it is a good for the children, but few of us, I think, will receive benefit from it, and many will suffer. Mind, Ido not mean we shall suffer from the institution itself, but from man's ignorance (i.e. our own ignorance in regard to it). _ Let the Court come to settle the blocks which are in dispute. P. Waikaho, H. Paihia, H. Paraone, K. Pahura, Kutene Hoenoa, Eiwiri te Manu, Anaru Kahaki, Mohi Wharepoto, Apirana Mane, Pine Tu Hemi Tapeka, Wiremu Keiha, and Wiki Matauru,' all approved of having police in the district, and of erecting a Court House and a lock-up. Most of them also spoke in favour of having disputed titles to land investigated by the Land Court. Some of them were m favour of having both European and Maori police

K. Pahura said the JSTgatiporous were thieves, and had stolen his horse at Te Kawakawa, therefore he wanted police. Rev. Mom Turei.—l shall speak of the (Land) Court, for I apprehend no difficulty with respect to the police and the Court House'. I understand Ruka to say that we have not yet suffered. I, who am obedient to the law, have suffered. lam distressed. Do you think I do not dread taking up arms ? Euka's explanation about the working out of Court measures is right and correct. It is not when we get the Court that we shall suffer, but now m the absence of a Court. The grounds of aggravation in the time of our fathers, which induced you (i.e. Ngatiporou) to take up arms, were not so great as those which exist now; and how can these difficulties be satisfactorily arranged if not by the investigation of the Court? What but the Court can prevent a resort to arms ? The men who object to the Court are men who have no claim to the land. I am addressing myself to Eawiri and Pineamine. The men who take arms in their hands do not want the Court. I say let us have our land adjudicated on by the Court, so that the invalidity of my claims, which you dispute, may be apparent, and in resistance to which you take up arms to intimidate me, so that I may not approach my own property. I may suffer wrong, and I may make a complaint to the Government, which cannot be ignored, and it (the Government) may admit the justice of my complaint; but what can be done ? Difficulties now exist. Can we prevent the introduction of the Court ?_ I say let the difficulties be got rid of before object to the Court. I press this on account of Waiotautu, to which piece of land my claims are being ignored by my friends the- other claimants. When the Court comes to Waiapu, I shall apply to have it adjudicated on by the Court; indeed it is necessary that there should be an investigation of title whilst the residue of the old men yet remains, so that a third party from amongst ourselves may be able to show forth both your claims and mine to our land. My friend Rawiri continues to carry a gun (to be used) against me, and that is his reason for persistently objecting to the Court. The only Court which I am to have is a gun. Mokefa Koheee.—Now, give heed, Rawiri and Pine, yon have desired to fight. But what of that ? The Court shall, nevertheless, decide our claims—yours and- ours. Tamati Tatttuhi. —My friends, I now at length give expression to my opinions upon the subjects which have been brought by Major Eopata before the meeting for its consideration. Much has been said by you on these subjects ; some of you have spoken reasonably and fairly, and others of you have uttered nonsense—mere wind. Now, my people, I agree to sell our diseased sheep to the Government—that is, if they are willing to waste their money in the purchase of your rotten property, what is the good of your holding back ? I agree with Tamihana, who says he will make no difficulty about parting with his sheep, lest their disease affect himself. Tour proposition, Wiremu Keiha, I think, is a hopeless one. Tou want to get sheep in exchange for your sheep. Where is the man magnanimous enough to give a new garment in exchange for a rotten one? I say, let it be determined to sell these scabby sheep for whatever price may be proper. If they be worth nothing, then let them be destroyed, and left as carrion for the hawks. I approve of your decided affirmance of one of the points brought before the meeting, viz. that the knowledge (i.e. advice and experience) of other tribes tendered to us should not be accepted. Why

should we have respect to their allurements and temptations? "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? " I approve of the desire of Mohi Turei, and others of the people, that their titles to the lands, about which you are creating trouble, be investigated by the Court. Are you not ashamed -to take up arms against an unoffending man? Let the matter be taken into the Court, so that the man whose claim is correct may speedily obtain possession of his own. Wiremu Keiha proposes that the oil springs district only should be adjudicated on by the Court; but I say it would not be worth while for the Court to be brought here on account of the oil springs only. Let all disputed titles to lands be settled by the Court. I object to the words last spoken by Euka, namely j that the people decide (the question of titles). There are none among the people, possessing the requisite knowledge, besides those who opened up this question (i.e. interested parties). Doubtless Wiremu Keiha would say he would not have a Court investigation ; and if he were supported by numbers, how could any of the people, whose claims they ignore, obtain their rights ? If they were to approach (the property) no doubt a pa would at once be erected, with its fortifying fence complete. This is the evil of not having the Court. I shall not venture to express an opinion about the Commissioner. lam unacquainted with the nature or the difficulties of the duties which he may have to perform. I shall withhold my consent from any member (for Parliament) until 1 thoroughly comprehend what duties he will have to perform. It is right that we agree to have police sent here without delay. Tou say let some of them be Maoris ; but Ido not approve of Maoris. The Maori people are merely simulators. When commanded to perform any duty, probably they would say, " Wait till we have planted our seed." Their officer might give the word "Forward! forward!" but they would be delayed by a wailing meeting for their dead, or some other matter. Some of those you already possess have been detected secreting money in their bosoms,, and have straightway been apprehended by their fellows. It is proper to erect a court house, and also a gaol, at Waiapu, as a post to which the hard-mouthed and incorrigible may be fastened. But Ido not see any reason why we should collect money for this purpose ; it is for the Government to do this. I could say much about the roads, the formation of which you are obstructing. Let the work proceed. The extension of the telegraph, too, through our district is a good thing. There is no reason whatever why we should dread it. Cease obstructing these beneficial works, which all tend to the prosperity of the people, and their speedy advancement in knowledge. I shall conclude now, although I could say very much more. Eaniera Eaerena, "Wi Peiwhairangi, H. Paihia, Hemi Kepa te Mimiopawa, and Tamihana Kakano r generally approved of the resolutions affirmed by the meeting, namely —The sale of the diseased sheep ; the election of Henare Potae to represent Ngatiporou in Parliament; the opening of the Land Court at Waiapu; the erection of a Magistrate's Court and a lock-up ; the appointment of Captain Porter as Commissioner ; the rejection of foreign advice and influence in reference to their internal affairs; and the investigation by the Land Court of claims to the oil springs in particular, and to the land in the district generally. This concluded the business of the meeting. The meeting was opened with the following prayer, by the Rev. Mohi Turei, which we inadvertently omitted in our last:—

Almighty G-od, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all Thy goodness to us and to all men. Look down now in mercy upon this great assemblage of the people, the major, the leaders of the people, the magistrates, and the ministers of Thy word, that they may be clear in their adoption of measures to promote the advancement of Thy people in good works and in holiness of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Word is true that the Holy Spirit descended as a sound from heaven, and as a mighty rushing wind, like cloven tongues of fire, and sat upon the apostles, to teach them and to lead them into all truth; therefore they were able to speak divers tongues, and to preach the G-ospel with power unto all men, whereby we have been brought out of darkness into light, and to the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus.Christ. We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Accept now our prayers, O Lord. Why standest Thou afar off? Why hidest Thou thyself in times of trouble ? _ Look upon us now at this time when trouble ariseth among us, and suffer it not to prevail against us, but bestow upon us largely of the multitude of Thy mercies. G-ive us the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of counsel, the spirit of knowledge, the spirit of might, the spirit of understanding, the spirit of true holiness and of the fear of the Lord, that we may show forth Thy praise and declare Thy goodness, not with our lips only, but with our whole hearts, and turn unto Thee and walk before Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. And to Thee and the Holy Spirit be all honor and praise for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon us, and give us peace, now and for evermore. Amen.