PENSION TO CHIEF MANUHIRI, OF WAIKATO. (CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, G-10

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1880. NEW ZEALAND.

PENSION TO CHIEF MANUHIRI, OF WAIKATO. (CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING.)

'Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 16th July, 1880. " That there be laid upon the table of this House copies of any correspondence that has passed between the Government and any of its officers, or between the Government and any aboriginal natives, having reference to the pension of the Chief Manuhiri, of the Waikato District." — (Mr. Whitaker)

Mr. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner, to the Hon. the Peemieb, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 18th June, 1878. The following, received this day by Paul Tuhaere from the chief Manuhiri, is respectfully referred for Sir George Grey's information. Paul has replied by saying that the matter is in your hands, and refers to some provision in the shape of a pension or allowance in his old age: (Translation.) " Hauwai, June.—Paul, —Salutations to you. This is a matter about which I wish to speak to you: The word of Sir George Grey. He mentioned the matter twice, but I could not quite understand him. Perhaps it was because there were so many of us present. But Tuwhakakuru told me that you suggested that I should write to you [for an explanation]. For this reason I write to you [now]. That is all, friend. .Prom Mastjiiiei, to Paora Tuhaere, Okahu." The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner. Sir G. Gbet to the Chief Manuhibi. Mt Deai? Old Fkiend,— Wellington, 18th June, 1878. I have seen your letter to Paora Tuhaere. Bishop Selwyn is dead. Sir William Martin is old, and far from you. I, too, am old, and cannot live long, but lam near you. It is now my duty to take care of you. I will hasten, and in a few days will see that provision is made to enable you to pass the few years left to you in comfort. God is good to me, to place me in a position in which I have the pleasure before I die of doing a just (tiled) and kind act for you. To Manuhiri, care of Major Te Wheoro, Alexandra. G. Geet. Sir G. Geex to the Chief Mautthiei. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 19th June, 1878. No. 1,197. —My clear old friend, —Myself and the Ministers have met to consider your letter, and Paul Tuhaere's words. We have talked over your affairs. You are too old to attend the Legislative Council. Tour rank, your authority, and your knowledge of affairs would otherwise have entitled you to a seat in that Council. The amount paid to each member of it is £210 a year ; but, although you are too aged to travel backwards aud forwards to the Council, the amount of £210 a year shall be paid you for your life —£52 10s. each three months, beginning on the Ist July next. This money has nothing to do with anything you may derive from your own property. To Manuhiri, care of Major Te Wheoro. G. Geet. Mr. H. T. Clabke, Under-Secretary, to Mr. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner. Government Buildings, 19th June, 1878. No. 1,198. —The Hon. the Premier has sent a telegram to Manuhiri. The following is a copy: "My dear old friend, —Myself and the Ministers have met to consider your letter, and Paul Tuhaere's words. We have talked over your affairs. You are too old to attend the Legislative Council. Your rank, your authority, and your knowledge of affairs would otherwise have entitled you to a seat in the Council. The amount paid to each member of it is £210 a year ; but, although you are too aged to travel backwards and forwards to the Council, the amount of £210 a year shall be paid you for your life —£52 10s. each three months, beginning on the Ist July next. This money has nothing to do with anything you may derive from your own property. —G. Geet." Henby T. Claeke, H. T. Kemp, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Auckland. TJnder-Secretary.

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Mr. W. H. Grace to Mr. E. J. Gill, Wellington. (Telegram.) Alexandra, 27th February, 1879. He Mantthiki's pension—£2lo per annum—l think it should be paid through this office. Perhaps it would be as well to speak to Hon. Native Minister. Will you make out the abstract, should you decide about same, as I do not know what is due, and from what time pension commenced. E. J. Gill, Esq., Government Buildings, Wellington. W. 11. Grack. Memorandum for Major Mair. Eeferring to our conversation respecting the amount paid as pension to the old chief Manuhiri, in which you stated that he had refused to receive such assistance irom the Government, I enclose the records and vouchers on the subject, from which you will see that Manuhiri has signed the usual authorities: (1) for Major Te Wlieoro to receive £105, amount due from Ist July to 31st December, 1878; (2) for Te Iha to receive the amount, Ist January to 30th June, 1879; (3) for Rata Tv Tawhiao to receive the amount due, 31st December, 1879. These sums, amounting to £315, have been paid upon the orders quoted, which appear to be duly signed by Manuhiri; and I shall feel obliged by your furnishing a full report upon the subject at your earliest convenience. Native Office, Auckland, 30th January, 1880. T. W. Lewis, Under-Secretary. Memorandum for Mr. Lewis re Mantthiri's Pension. I had a conversation with Manuhiri about this matter on the 26th instant. The old chief informed me that he had never consented to accept a pension ; that, though told that the money was lying to his credit at Alexandra, he declined to receive it until at last, yielding to the importunity of his grandson, Tv Tawhiao, he signed orders enabling his grandchildren to draw the money (£315) ; but all that he had received was some food bought by his grandson Te Naero. He stated also that he was not " marama" (clear) about this money, and he had been thinking seriously of writing to the Government not to pay any more money in his name. I informed Manuhiri that this pension had been conferred upon him in consideration of his age, his rank, and his friendship for Europeans ; but that it was intended for his use and benefit, and not to be squandered by others in the publichouses and stores. He answered that if I would undertake to pay him the money myself he would gladly accept it in the spirit in which it was given to him by the Government. I assured Manuhiri that I would readily do so, and he was much pleased at the solution of the difficulty. lam of opinion that this matter is now placed on a satisfactory footing, and that the official acceptance by such a man as Manuhiri of a pension may have a marked effect upon the negotiations with Tawhiao. 31st January, 1880. W. G. Mair. Mr. T. W. Lewis, Under-Secretary, to Major Mair, R.M., Auckland. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1880. With reference to your memorandum of the 31st January on the subject of Manuhiri's pension, I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, to inform you that the amount can be paid to him in the manner suggested in your memorandum, unless Manuhiri himself raises difficulties about its acceptance, in which case it will of course be withdrawn. I have, &c, Major Mair, E.M., Native Agent, Auckland. T. W. Lewis, Under-Secretary.

By Authority: George Didsbtjby, Q-OYernment Printer, Wellington. —1880. Price 3d.]