THE NATIVE LANDS SETTLEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION BILL, 1898 (LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE PREMIER FROM NATIVE CHIEFS AND OTHERS RELATIVE TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1898 Session I, G-07

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1898. NEW ZEALAND.

THE NATIVE LANDS SETTLEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION BILL, 1898 (LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE PREMIER FROM NATIVE CHIEFS AND OTHERS RELATIVE TO).

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave of the House.

Matata, Bay of Plenty, Bth August, 1898. The Hon. Mr. Seddon, Minister of Native Affairs. Salutations.-—-We, the undersigned, support the Bill called " Native Lands Settlement and Administration," and the amendments thereto, made public at the meeting of Maori chiefs on the 20th June, 1898, at Greytown, and we ask you to consider the amendments and interlineations made to and in your Bill. We, the undersigned, who here support this are members of the Ngatirangitihi, a hapu of the Arawa, who are living at Matata, on the East Coast. Sufficient. Eaubeti P. Mokonuiaeangi and 11 Others, [Teanslation.] Matata, Bay of Plenty, 8 Akuhata, 1898. Kia te Hetana, Minita o te Taha Maori. Tena koe.—Ko matau c mau ake nei nga ingoa i raro nei c tautoko ana i te Pire " Tiaki Whakahaere i nga Whenua Maori," me nga kupu whakatikatika i whakaputaina i te 20 Hune, 1898, c te huinga o nga rangatira Maori ki Papawai, Greytown, a c inoi ana ki a koe kia whakaarohia nga kupu whakatikatika me nga kupu whakauru ki to Pire. Ko matau ko nga kaitautoko c mau ake nei no te hapu o Ngatirangitihi, hapu o Te Arawa, c noho ana ki Macata, i te takiwha o te tai Eawhiti. Heoi. Eaueeti P. Mokonuiaeangi me etahi atu tekau ma tahi. The Hon. Mr. Seddon, Minister of Native Affairs. 14th June, 1898. Salutations.—We whose names are hereto signed and whose marks are hereto attached support the Bill and the amendments thereto made public on the 20th day of June, 1898, at the great meeting of the Maori chiefs of New Zealand, and we pray that you will consider the amendments and the interlineations made in your Bill. Sufficient. God save the Queen. Tapbta Keebkeee and 93 Others, Poverty Bay District.

[TRANSLATION.] Matata, Bay of Plenty, 8 Akuhata, 1898. Kia te Hetana, Minita o te Taha Maori. Tena koe. —Ko matau c mau ake nei nga ingoa i raro nei c tautoko ana i te Pire " Tiaki Whakahaere i nga Whenua Maori," me nga kupu whakatikatika i whakaputaina i te 20 Hune, 1898, c te huinga o nga rangatira Maori ki Papawai, Greytown, a c inoi ana ki a koe kia whakaarohia nga kupu whakatikatika me nga kupu whakauru ki to Pire. Ko matau ko nga kaitautoko c mau ake nei no te hapu o Ngatirangitihi, hapu o Te Arawa, c noho ana ki Macata, i te takiwha o te tai Eawhiti. Heoi. Baubeti P. Mokonuiaeangi me etahi atu tekau ma tahi.

The Hon. Mr. Seddon, Minister of Native Affairs. 14th June, 1898. Salutations. —We whose names are hereto signed and whose marks are hereto attached support the Bill and the amendments thereto made public on the 20th day of June, 1898, at the great meeting of the Maori chiefs of New Zealand, and we pray that you will consider the amendments and the interlineations made in your Bill. Sufficient. God save the Queen. Tapbta Kebbkbee and 93 Others, Poverty Bay District.

[Teanslation.] Kia te Hetana, Minita o te taha Maori. 14 Hune, 1898. Tena koe.- —Ko matau c mau ake nei nga ingoa i raro nei me a matau tohu, c awina ana, c tautoko ano hoki i te Pire me nga kupu whakatikatika i whakaputaina i te 20 Hune, 1898, c te huinga nui o nga rangatira Maori o Niu Tireni, a c inoi ana kia koe, kia whakaarohia nga kupu whakatikatika me nga kupu whakauru kite Pire. Heoi. Bte Atua tohungia te Kuini. Tapeta Keeekeee me etahi atu.

Papawai, 20th June, 1898. The Hon. Mr. Seddon, Premier and Minister of Native Affairs. Geeetings.—By direction of the meeting of Maori chiefs assembled here, we who have been selected to be a committee to furnish you with the decisions arrived at at the meeting here submit the same to you as follows : — 1. This meeting of Maori chiefs entirely indorse the principles of the Maori Land Bill introduced by you to that meeting, and have made certain amendments and interlineations in the copy of the said Bill hereto attached. 2. And we pray that due consideration be given to these suggestions, in order that the wishes of your Maori people may be given effect to when finally preparing the Bill for its introduction into the Parliament of New Zealand.

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3. It is not that we desire in any way to arrest the means by which it is proposed to administer our remaining lands for our benefit by leasing them ; but we wish them dealt with at our Native meetings to be appointed, and the disposition of the lands belonging to each hapu to be submitted to the Board. This is a very reasonable proposal, for thereby all suspicion and fear in the Maori mind will be removed. 4. We wish that committees be appointed under the Board, and block committees to assist the Board and lighten its work. 5. We also wish that the committees be empowered to administer matters regulating the wellbeing and the sanitary requirements of the places of abode, rendering assistance to the children attending schools, and conserving the food-supply or the expenditure of moneys, so that they be not squandered, in order that the prosperity and comfort of your Maori people may be assured to them. 6. It is but right and proper that women having an interest in land should be eligible as members of the block committee, should they so desire it, for there are many competent women who are quite able to administer affairs amongst their people. 7. With regard to the mana of the Native Land Court, it is most proper that the Native committees should work together even though they are the appointees of the Board at first, or, supposing they were elected by both parties to a case that is to be dealt with, there are many eases that could be settled by mutual arrangement before the committee or the Board. 8. The Board should deal with all rehearings, or the Board might have the power to appoint a committee to rehear. 9. All orders to be confirmed by the Commissioner on the Board, who shall sign his name thereto, and indorse the signature of the chairman of the committee which made the order of the first or second hearing. But the persons delegated by us to take the attached Bill to you will afford you any explanation you may desire. 10. The large assemblage of chiefs greatly appreciate the views expressed by you in your speech here, and which has been printed and circulated amongst all the people; also for your kindness in forwarding the Bill to the meeting of your Maori people for their consideration, and express a hope that this enlightened policy will be continued in respect of any Bill in the future that will affect the Maori people; also for the liberality of your Government in helping us by reducing the railway-fares, thereby enabling the Maori chiefs to travel to the meeting at less cost; also in arranging for the services of a medical man being available for persons attending the meeting—many persons were taken ill who recovered, and who returned home in good health, and up to the present no deaths have occurred ; also for supplying military tents to aid the meeting, thereby housing the people comfortably ; and also to your Government for conveying to us the thanks which our Queen was graciously pleased to accord to us on the receipt of the congratulatory address of the Maori people; also for your kindly expressed hope that the Maori people will be prosperous and retain their lands yet remaining to them, and that they be not dispossessed of them by sale. These are the greetings and the thanksgivings of all the chiefs of the Maori people, and the farewell greetings on this the closing day of this the large meeting of the two Islands of New Zealand. 11. It is also right and proper that we should here give expression to our greetings and thanks to Tamahau Mahupuku and the chiefs and chieftainesses, the local hapus, the entertainers of the marae, for their kind attention to their guests and their good management in serving the food to the meeting right up to its close. Everything was conducted in the most satisfactory manner, and the managers, the cooks, the stewards, the Maori policemen, and all that was conducive to the comfort of the guests were all good—very good. That Chief Tamahau was indefatigable in his efforts to provide for the comfort of the guests and of the meeting. 12. The Maori chiefs pray that their meeting may be established as an annual affair, and ask whether a law could be passed constituting the Maori Confederation Assembly. We are considering that the numbers of the permanent members of the Maori Assembly should not be less than thirty or more than a hundred, thus it would not be burdensome on the local Natives who would entertain them, so that this assembly might constitute a body who should deliberate on matters affecting the Maori people, and Bills which may be forwarded by you to that assembly, and also deal with any applications of the Maori people that are made to the Government. The assembly to be called the Confederation of the Maori people. Sufficient then. Long life to you and to your Government. From us the Maori chiefs and chieftainesses. Signed by us, the members of the select committee. Paeatbne Ngata and Others.

[Translation.] Papawai, 20 Hune, 1898. Kia te Hetana, Pirimia, Te Minita mo te Taha Maori. Tena koe. —I runga i te whakahau a te Hui o nga Eangatira Maori, I huihui nei ki konei. A i runga hoki ite kowhiritanga a taua Eunanga ia matou. Hei komiti tuku atu i nga whakaotinga a taua Runanga mo nga kupu i raro nei, ara : — 1. E tino tautoko ana tenei runanga o nga rangatira Maori. Mo te Pire Whenua Maori, i tukua mai nei c koe, ki taua runanga. I runga i nga kupu whakatikatika me nga kupu whakauru, ki taua Pire. Kua whakarapopotia ki roto kite tauira Pire, c apiti nei ki tenei. 2. A c inoi ana hoki, kia at a whakaarohia aua whiriwhiringa. Kia ahua rite kite hiahia o tou iwi Maori. Ina mahia c koe te tino Pire. Hei tukunga kite runanga nui ote Whare Paremete o Niu Tireni. 3. E hara i te mea c hiahia ana matou kia araia nga huarahi c whakamahia ai o matou toe-

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nga whenua c puta mai ai he oranga mo matou i runga ite tuku riihi. Engari c hiahia ana matou me whakahaere i roto i o matou hui Maori c whakaritea ana te whakariterite atu kite Poari, mo nga tukunga whenua o ia hapu o ia hapu, he mea tino marama tena, c kore ai c tau he ngakau tupato, wehi ranei kite nuinga ote iwi Maori. 4. A, c hiahia ana matou kia whai komiti ano i raro i te Poari, me nga komiti poraka, hei hoa mahi tahi me te Poari. E mama i nga mahi. 5. Me to matou hiahia, kia whaimana ano te komiti, kite whakahaere tikanga hei tohutohu hei tiaki i te noho ora me nga kainga noho, me te awhina i nga tamariki kura, me te tiaki i nga oranga kai, moni ranei, ekore ai c whakapaua kinotia. Kia tupu ake ai he pai he oranga, mo tou iwi Maori. 6. He tika noa atu te wahine whai take kite whenua kia uru hei mema mo te komiti poraka, ma hiahia kite uru, he tokomaha ke nga wahine mohio c whakahaere tika ana i o ratou hapu. 7. Mo te mana o te Kooti Whenua Maori, he mea tika rawa kia mahi tahi te komiti Maori. Ahakoa he mea whakatu ratou etc Poari ite tuatahi. He mea whiriwhiri ranei c nga taha c rua i te wa c whakahaere ai iia keehi iia keehi c whakawakia. Tera c oti marama noa atu etahi keehi i runga ite ata whakariterite me te whakaaetahi. Ite aroaro ote komiti ote Poari ranei. 8. Me tv ko te Poari hei whiriwhiri i nga keehi tono whakawa tuarua, ma te Poari ranei. E whakatu he komiti kei hei Kooti tuarua. ■ ■ . 9. Ma te Komihana ote Paori, c whakamana nga ota katou. A c haina i tona ingoa ki runga i taua ota. Hei whakamana ite haina ate Tiamana o te komiti nana i whakatau tuatahi, tuarua ranei. Otira tera ano c whakamaramatia c nga tangata o matou c tukua atu ana hei kawe atu ki to aroaro, ma via c koe nga kupu i roto i te Pire c Apiti Ake nei. 10. He nui te whakapai o te Huinga nui o nga rangatira mo runga i nga korero i whakapuakina c koe ki konei a kua perehitia nei, kua tukua hoki ki nga tangata katoa. Mo runga hoki i te pai oto tukunga mai ite Pire ki roto kite hui o tou iwi Maori, kia whiriwhiria. Me te tumanako, tera c pumau tonu tenei tikanga marama, mo era atu Pire epa ana kite iwi Maori. Mo runga hoki ite ngawari o tou Kawanatanga kite awhina i a matou i whakanga wa ritia ai te huarahi reriwe c mama ai nga rangatira Maori te haere mai ki tenei hui. Mo runga hoki ito whakaritenga takuta mo tenei hui, a he maha ano nga tangata i pa etahi mate, otira i ora katoa a hoki ora atu ki o ratou whenua, a tae noa ki tenei ra, kore rawa, he tupapaku kotahi, i mate. Mo runga hoki ito tukunga mai i nga teneti hoia hei awhina mo tenei hui, a i pai ai te noho o nga iwi katoa me tou Kawanatanga hoki i whakarite i te aroha o to tatou Kuini atawhai, mo te mihi a te iwi Maori ki a ia. A c tumanako tonu ana koe kia noho ora to iwi Maori, ara, kia whakapumautia o matou whenua c toe nei kia kaua c pau i te hoko. Koia nei nga mihi, me nga whakawhetai a nga rangatira katoa o tou iwi Maori, me nga poroporoaki hoki.i tenei ra mutunga o te hui nui o nga motu c rua o Niu Tireni. 11. E tika ana hoki kia mau ki konei a matou kupu whakamihi-poroporoaki hoki, mo Tamahau Mahupuku, me ona hoa rangatira tane wahine me nga hapu o te marae, mo te tiaki pai i nga manuhiri. me te whakahaere o nga kai katoa ma te hui, a mutu noa. I pai nga mea katoa me nga tangata whakahaere, me nga kuki, nga tuari, nga pirihimana Maori. Me era atu tikanga manaaki mo nga manuhiri. I pai katoa, nui atu te kaha o taua rangatira o Tamahau kite whakahaere i nga tikanga mo nga manuhiri katoa, me te hui. 12. E inoi ana nga rangatira Maori kia whakapumautia te matou runanga mo ia tau mo ia tau, mehemea c ahei he hanga he Ture. Hei whakamana i tenei Eunanga Maori ote Kotahitanga o tou iwi Maori. E whakaaro ana ano matou, tera c whakaitia nga tangata tuturu mo te Hui Maori, kia kaua c iti iho i te 30 c nui ake ranei i te 100, a tera c mama noa iho nga tangata whenua o to marae ki te atawhai ite hui. Kia waiho ai tenei hui, hei whiriwhiri mo nga mea epa ana kite iwi Maori, mo nga Ture c tukua c koe ki taua hui, mo nga tono hoki a te iwi Maori. E ahu atu ana ki ta Kawanatanga. Me hua ano te ingoa o taua runanga ko te Kotahitanga ote iwi Maori. Heoi. Kia ora tonu koe, me tou Kawanatanga. Heoi ano na matou na nga rangatira tane, wahine hoki. A he mea haina c matou c te Komiti tuku atu c mau nei o matou ingoa. Paeatene Ngata me etahi atu.

To E. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand. Hamua, 8th August, 1898. Fbiend, greetings.—This is what myself and my hapu says : That they want you to pass our Bill for all the tribes that have seconded the Bill. As for the tribes that do not want this Bill, leave that to them, the purchase of lands, the Land Courts, and the solicitors, &c, in other Bills. I remain, &c, Nieiaha Tamaki.

Kaipo, Waitotara, 21st May, 1898. The Hon. Mr. Seddon, Premier of the Colony, and the Hon. Mr. Carroll, Native Minister, with all your colleagues in the Government. Gbeeting to you all; may God have you in His safe keeping, and bless you in the administration of your responsible work for the benefit of the two races, the Pakeha and the Maori. We have seen the Government Bill in which it is proposed that the colony be divided into districts. We, the Ngarauru Tribe, support this Bill, but the Ngarauru people say that the boundaries of our district should follow our tribal boundaries from Kai-iwi to Patea. These are the boundaries of our ancestors, from whom they have descended to us. That is all. Bopiha Bangihaukoki and Others.

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[Teanslation.] Kaipo, Waitotara, 21 Mci, 1898. Xi te Pirimia honore o te koroni, ara, kia te Hetana, Pirimia, me te Minita Maori honoreo te koroni, ara, kia Timi Kara, me o korua hoa Minita katoa o te koutou Kawanatanga. Tena koutou katoa mate Atua koutou c tiaki c manaaki i runga ia koutou mahi nunui c mahi nei ite ora, mo Ngaiki eva pakeha Maori. Kua kite iho matou i te Pire a te Kawanatanga meroherohe atakina te koroni nei, tamatou kupu tate iwi Ngarauru etau toko ana matou i te nei Pire te kupu ate nei iwi a Ngarauru merohe i runga ingarohe ano ote nei iwi. Kai-iwi ki Patea, herohe tawhiti na o matou tupuna tae mai kia matou heoi ano. Eopiha Eangihaukobi me etahi atu. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,325 copies), £1195..

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9B.

Price 3d.}