Kohanga.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIi, Issue 1714, 8 April 1862, Page 3

Kohanga.

December 17th, 1861. Hl3 Excellency : 1 have come here to help you, and I think the best thing is for you to ask me questions about any thing you do not understand. [Addressing W. Kukutai : Do you understand what the duties of the runanga will be? Waata: Yes.] The work of the runanga, when it sits as such, will be different from that of the magistrates ; it will be to make laws and regulations for the government of the district. When these rules have been made by the Runanga and approved by the Governor, then the magistrates will have to enforce them as any other laws are enforced. Then there will be other work for the runanga to do : it will have to consider all things that are good for the district; c.</., if a ferry is wanted by any people, the runanga will have to consider if it is is necessary, and report to me before I do anything ; it will have to consider and recommend what the ferryman will have J to be paid, and what people should pay for crossing. In the same way if roads are wanted, it will have to enquire if ifc ia so, and what are the best lines, and when I have consented to their being made it will have to superintend them and the I expenditure, and the secretary of the runanga will have to keep the account, and the runanga will have to arrange with the owner of the land over which the road will pass, if he is to be paid anything. in the same way, when the boundaries of a piece of laud or the ownership is disputed, the runanga will appoint a commission to examine into the matter and report, and it will have I to consider if the commission has reported cor- i rectly, and it will report in its turn to me as to j what I ought to do. In the yatne way, if a hospital is wanted, the runanga will decide upon the site, and what fees people should pay, and who should be let in free without paying. Then if the , people want a school, they will, in the first instance, have to apply to the runauga, and it will report to me if the school is necessary. For all these things it will arrange its own time of meeting, perhaps once a month, perhaps once in six weeks, and it will sit for five or six days if necessary, and will give public notice that all may I know of the sittings, and attend them if they wish. This is all. I now think that you will understand about runanga. About magistrates I need say nothing, you all know what they have to do. If you want any more information upon any subject now you can ask me, and I shall be glad, if I can, to give it. Te Ao-o-te-Rangi (Tainui) : My part of the talk will be on the same subject ag yours, Waata. You spoke about peace, about an enlightened system, and about everything which is good. That side (of the question) is correct, but, brother, you and I have never been found in fault up to this period. [To His Excellency.] After you, the Governor, left, us, there arrived another Governor, and when that Governor turned round, it was against me. That is the reason why I am dark. I am an orphan. O Governor, an orphan, all aye orphans by accidents and by war ; by your arrival in New Zealand, either we become possessed of parents, or we do not. Well, be kind to the children according to your word ; and let not the Maories say that you are speaking deceitfully (or with flattery) do not curve your road, let it be straight, that carts may travel on it. Our discourse will not be at an end, it will be mouth to mouth, we shall not be separated ; at the present time, lam pleased with your korero, but if my reply is wrong do not be gloomy, nor find fault with it. Now this is what I say ; I consent to the Governor's word. The Governor calls for the road and the runanga, and everything has been mentioned by the Governor. My (present) road is the outside road, on the sea, and its opening (commencement) is at Whaingaroa. A road is the thing which I approve of, on the Governor's side, because of the mud and the mountain, and that our produce, that of the tribes, may be conveyed for sale. I speak thus to you, O Governor, because of the words which you spoke to me about the roads and byeroade ; I consent to them. This ia neutrality (or

. s friendliness). O Waikato, lam much in want of m c road. JLOok at my side (of the subject). Let the ki I papa (neutral native) defer his word (of censure I If 3'ou see the guns and soldiers travelling on th 3 road, the error will be mine, apprehend me, b< s cause I shall he in fault ; judge me, convey me i . prison, because the Governor anu I shall hay i cleared the road, allowing the guns and soldioi t to pass. If my road is formed I shall 1)0 muc f pleased at being able to tako my potatoes, an - wheat, and onions, and other produce to markel . That ia all about the road. Ido not agree to th 5 (European) Magistrates. We want no othe ) magistrate than Waata and Wiremu te Awiitaia . they can do the work. Our errors and our fault ' can be talked over : if there is any great otfence .[ I can write about it to you. I will not consent t< ; j adopt the runauga and the magistrate. That sidi ; (system) is very good, but I have spoken to yoi i . about it in the town, telling you I was not agree • I able to it. J will tell my errors by letter lest it b< said that I have been flattering you. Ituihana (Ngatikarewa): If I fall now, do no laugh at me. This is my patience and my kind ness. It is for my eye to see good and evil. These are the things I am afraid of, guns and powder Break them lose (release the restrictions on theii sale) and I shall be satisfied : these, in my opinior are the fearful things. My thoughts are, make an opening for the snake [allow the sale of arms and ammunition). O Governor, cause the reptile to be driven forth : I have no fear connected with any other treasure", with money, or blankets, oi other things; it is all with guns and power (i. c. for you to possess them and the Maories not). His Excellency: Who is the gunpowder for, and for what purpose ? Ruihana: Either to keep, or to shoot birds with. His Excellency : I cannot let any one get guns, either Europoan or Maori. Do you only want shot ? Ruihana : Shot is good, if in large quantity, it is good : it is for you to look at what 1 say. His Excellency: What are you afraid of? Ruihana : lam afraid of you. His Excellency : You need not fear me; I will take care of you. Ruihana : Very well : you will take care of me : but there is your dog (military force). His Excellency : I am so determined to have good, that I will not put arms into people's hands with which to kill each other. lam so fond of being safe, that I shall keep every thing locked up. Hereafter, if I can find chiefs that I can trust, and they want gunpowder for shootingbirds, we will talk about it. lam a very cautious man ; they might shoot other birds. Ruihana : That can be thought about. This will be the cause of my death (my being deceived) ; it is said peace, peace ; but it rests only on the lips. Where does it reside ? His Excellency : What I do for one, I shall have to do for others. Ruihana : Other men roust speak for themselves, and you look at (judge) what they say. His Excellency : Do you ask who is to pay ? Ruihana. You, you must pay me. It(tueland) is for the payment of powder, of powder for me, and for the purchase of guns for me, that the reptile may go forth, that fear may cease, and that i may know there is no evil; His Excellency: I cannot consent to arms being sold. Herewini I-luuia (Ngatitahinga) :' I formed my desire, and expressed it to the Pakehas. It was not long before the Governor's letter arrived containing his dissent, and preventing (the settling of) my minister ; hence 1 was slow to survey the land. Now Governor Browne and I disputed on that subject. His Excellency: If a native desires to give land for the clergy, 1 shall always allow it. I should like to see the land filled with clergymen. Herewini : Now this is my reply to that : if Governor Browne had said the same.it would have been well. I now say to you, give me a Pakeha (minister). llis Excellency : You must go to the Bishop. I will do my best with him, and I think you will soon get it done.Apera Kiwi (Ngatitahinga) : This is another subject, the ferrying of 'the Pakehas at my river, Whaingaroa. I cross the poor (class of) Europeans, who say they will pay, but don't. They run away into the bush. His Excellency : As soon as we get the rununga, it will settle on some annual payment for the ferryman at Raglan. . Te Pou Totara (Ngatipa) : Welcome, lather. You come not here of your own accord, but are brought by the providence of God. (Song). My friend who loves us, welcome. Now 1 will ask you, what roads are they which you say are to be provided by the runanga ? His Excellency: Any roads you like. Te Pou Totara : Listen ; all that I know about (will consent to), is the river, the Waikato, which is flowing by: that is the road in your possession. The boat can come, the gig- boat can come, the whale-boat can come. That is all the road that lam light about (agree to). .As for a road over the land, no. These are all the roads, the water. His Excellency : Mr, Fenton has been sent up to start all these things, and if you will work well and truly with me, 1 pledge myself to work with you, and help you to the utmost of my power. — Maori Messenger.