Te Waka Maori. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1879. NGATIPOROU MEETING.

Waka Maori, Volume I, Issue 21, 15 February 1879, Page 299

Te Waka Maori. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1879. NGATIPOROU MEETING.

We have received, for publication in the Waka, the following report from Major Ropata of a meeting lately held by the Ngatiporou people:MAJOE ROPATA'S ADDEESS TO NGATIPOEOU. lv friends, the chiefs and people assembled here this day. Although many of those whom I invited to attend here are absent, it matters not. ■ I shall now make known to you the subjects which I pj?o» pose for your careful consideration; They are not matters outside of ourselves; they are troubles and evils which affect us ; as a tribe. "When I was away from you lately in connection with that gt&9it trouble which came upon us, together with other' matters which required mv presence, and which, -de-

>aiiied me so long from you, many reports were going about the island relative to the disturbances and troubles of our district here of Ngatiporou, and I was grieved thereat; but when I heard that those'difficulties and evils had been satisfactorily settled, my mind was lightened of its troubles. Now, on my return hither I find that another great evil has arisen in this our district of Ngatiporou. A fierce fire is raging among us. 'Twere well if it were raging anywhere but here; anywhere without our territory—but 'tis raging in our homes, in our very midst. My friends, this is a fire which be it known, will burn the entire tribe. It is, for instance, "raging at Wharekahika, to consume all the land there ; and after a while it may break out in some other portion of our territory. It will require determined and united action on our part—acting with one mind—to extinguish this fire and save ourselves and our land. It was through the exertions and perseverance displayed by you the' chiefs in extinguishing that grievous fire which was ignited at Waiapu in the year 1865, and by our loyalty to the Queen, that our lands and ourselves were saved. And now too you must arise and suppress these fires which are burning at "Waiapu ; because the power lies with you the chiefs to direct aud guide affairs in this district of "Waiapu. Therefore, I say, be vigorous and clear-headed in your action, that you may be enabled to ward off these evils which are crushing us down. My friends, we have now for a long time been watching the policy of land-selling; but I have not found any good whatever resulting from it—doubtless because we Maories are ignorant of how to turn such things to our advantage. Now, with respect to our disputes about land, let us calmly and dispassionately consider these matters and no doubt we shall arrive at a clear and satisfactory settlement. Do not imagine that these matters which I am submitting for your consideration come from the Government. They are our own affairs. It has been from a regard to such matters that our welfare has been promoted and we have been clear frcm many troubles which have afflicted us in days past. There are six questions which I shall submit for your cousideration,' and if, in your opinion, they appear clear and proper, let us resolve upon them now we are here assembled this day. 1. To appoint members of a Supreme Council—a Council of aged persons—to manage and control all the affairs of the tribe ; which Council shall have authority over all persons who have the charge or conduct of lands and other matters affecting the tribe. Let. each hapu at once select men to represent them in the Council above mentioned ; and it will be the duty of that Council to appoint men who shall take charge of the lands, and men to take the management of all affairs in relation to the lands. 2. The resolutions passed by the Council which was commenced at Kakariki to prevent the sale of land, and such leasing of land as brings trouble upon the people (i.e., the said resolutions to be carried out) ; and all the people having an interest within the boundaries published in the Waka Maori to protect the land included within the said boundaries.. f The resolutions passed at the said Council are put forward for the consideration of each hapu among, you. 3. That the sale of land at Wharekahika and Waiapu to the Pakeha appears as if intended to create trouble among us. . 4. That the peaceful settlement of the quarrel between Wiremu Keiha and Hirini Kahe be confirmed . by this meeting according to the terms agreed on

when peace was made between the parties, so that trouble in respect of that matter may never again arise, and that peace may be preserved among us. 5. Let the troubles and dissensions brought upon usJby* the death of Hiria, and which I am trying to settle peaceably, be carefully attended to by you.

6. The way in which each hapu lives separated and scattered about. By each hapu liviDg together in their own pah, in one body, the well-being of the whole tribe will be secured, the gospel will be maintained and measures will be encouraged by which enlightenment and peace will be promoted among the people.

This large meeting of Ngatiporou, having duly considered the questions. put before them, have settled definitely and finally the following matters The troubles which arose from the death of Hiria Whakarau. The quarrel between Wiremu Keiha and Hirini Kahe. This has been finally, thoroughly, and quietly suppressed by the meeting, so that it may never again arise. The purchase of land by the Pakeha Mackay at Wharekahika, and the purchase also by the same Mackay of the piece of land at Waiapu about which the quarrel arose between Wiremu Keiha and Hirini -Kahe. This meeting of Ngatiporou has entirely set aside those purchases and declared them altogether null and void. Not a single, piece of land will be alienated in return for the money advanced by Mackay to his Maori friends as purchase money. The first, second, and sixth resolutions also have been passed and will be carried out by the whole tribe of Ngatiporou.' In witness whereof we, the chiefs and people, have hereunder signed our names. Raniera Kavvhia, Mohi Turei Tangaroapeau, Hohepa te Bore, Bihara Honia, Marakaia te Hei, Hakaraia Mauheni, Hemi Taka, Hutana Taru, Erueti Rena, Nepia Hurikara, Hati Taumaunu, Wiremu Peere, Wiremu Keiha, Pirika te Houhou, Hoterene te Wharau, Baihania Pahina, Karaitiana Wharehinga, Haruka Tiwhatiwha, Hotene Porourangi, Hohepa Whitirua, Hemi Pahaoa, Paora Taihaki, Epiniha Rangahau, Niha Tawhiwhi, Warihi On»wa, Tamihana Kakano, Piripi Waipapa, Hone te Kauru, lrimana Houturangi, Wiki Matauru, Wiremu Takeke, Manahi Kaeha, Puha Ngaripa, Eru Kawhena, Hori te Whai, Te Keepa Patuhuri, Hohepa te Onoono, Honatanga Hautonga, Anaru Whakareia,. Piriniha te Rito, Renata Taiapa, Tamati Ngakaho, Paratene Pikaahu, Mahaki Takioterangi, Karamana Ngere, Hamiora Katia, Paratene Ngata, TipeneiTamatama. .