PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE

Mr. McLean, on behalf of His Excellency spoke as follows :— The Governor wished them to understand ,that the Queen regards equally all her subjects ; that all her Governors have had and would have the same instructions, viz., to do their utmost to promote the welfare of her subjects without distinction of race. The Missionaries had imparted to them the blessings of Christianity and translated the Bible for their use. It was not in the power of man to confer any other gift which would bear comparison with that of the Bible ; but, out of regard for the Natives, His Excellency had caused an abstract of English laws to be translated into Maori. He had no wish to enforce this law ; on the contrary, it would only be put in force in those districts where the people are wise enough to desire it, and prepared to carry it into effect themselves. Some tribes in the North had already desired to have English law ; and a Magistrate had been employed to instruct them how to put it into practice. They were now engaged in doing so, with every prospect of becoming a peaceful and prosperous people, and uniting themselves with the Pakeha. This tribe is the Ngapuhi. The Governor had but two subjects on which he desired to speak, particularly to the tribes living near Taranaki, and they were—First, in reference to criminal offences ; Second, in reference to land. Hβ wished these subjects to be considered separately, and as having no sort of reference to each other. The tribes in the vicinity of Taranaki ha*e greater advantages than most others, as they are much intermixed with the Pakeha, and ought to profit by their intercourse with them. If they chose to live peaceably and cultivate their lands they would grow rich and multiply, instead of which they were constantly at war with each other, and their numbers were decreasing. Their disputes were almost always about matters of little or no importance, or about land which was not worth quarrelling for. Had the Governor been in New Tealand when Katatore slew Rawiri he would have had him arrested and brought before the Judge, and, if the Judge had sentenced him to be hanged, he would have caused him to be hanged ; that he had not thought proper to arrest Ihaia, because though the murders to which he was a party were horrible and disgraceful, yet they admitted of some extenuation, inasmuch as they were committed in retribution for the murder of Rawiri. All this, however, now belongs to the past ; but, for the future, he had determined that every man (whether he be Maori or Pakeha) who may commit any violence or outrage within the European boundaries shall be arrestpd and taken before the Judge, and the sentence of the Judge, whatever it may be, shall be carried into effect. He was determined that the peace of the settlers should no longer be disturbed by evil doers, and that those Maories who are not content to live in peace among the Pakehas, had better go elsewhere. In reference to the second subject, the Governor thought the Maories would be wise to sell the land they cannot use themselves, as it would make what they could use more valuable than the whole ; but that he never would consent to buy land without an undisputed title. Hβ would not permit any one to interfere in the sale of land unless he owned part cf it; and, on the other hand, he would buy no man's land without his consent. Tahana again addressed his tribe, approving of that portion of His Excellency's speech declaring that if murders were again committed that the murderer should be arrested and tried by British law. He then supposed a case of a Native Policeman or Assessor (himself) shot whilst arresting , a murderer, and inquired who would avenge him. He stated that if he were assured of the support of His Excellency, as he knew His Excellency would receive the support of the Queen, he could hereafter, single handed, arrest offenders. Tβ Teira, a Waitara Native, then stated that he was anxious to sell land belonging to him, that he had heard with satisfaction the declaration of the Governor referring to individual claims, and the assurance of protection that would be afforded by His Excellency. He minutely defined the boundaries of his claim, repeated that he was anxious to sell, and that he was the owner of the land he offered for sale. He then repeatedly asked if the Governor would buy his land. Mr. McLean, on behalf of His Excellency, replied that he would. Te Teita then placed a parawai (bordered mat), at the Governor's feet, which His Excellency accepted. This ceremony, according to Native custom, virtually place 9 Teira's land at Waitara in the hands of the Governor. Hemi Kuku, then followed and stated his desire to dispose of land at Onairo, but in consequence of violent opposition, his offer was not then entertained. Piripi, a relative of Ihaia's, then offered his land at Waitara ; his right to sell was denied by Te Teira, Te Waka (a town native;, and several other of the Waitara Natives, who asserted that his land was forfeited as payment for the murder of Katatore by his relatives. Paora then informed the Governor that Te Teira could not sell the land he had offered without the consent of Weteriki and himself, as they had a joint interest in a portion of it. Te Teira replied to him, and was immediately followed by William King, who, before addressing the Governor, said to his people, " I will only say a few words and then we will depart," to which they assented. He then said, " Listen, Governor. Notwithstanding Teira's offer I will not permit the sale of Waitara to the Pakeha. Waitara is in my hands, I will not give it up ; ekore, ekore, chore" (i.e.), I will not, I will not, I will not. " I have spoken !" and, turning to his tribe, added " Arise, let us go " I —whereupon he and his followers abruptly withdrew. Kipa, a Waiwakaiho Native, then expressed the satisfaction that the Governor's speech afforded him, and proposed that henceforward British law should not prevail beyond the Waitaha. Matiu, a Hua Native, wished to address His Excellency on the King movement, but was informed that another opportunity would be afforded him. The meeting then separated. The report of the Herald is correct, except in omitting to state that the Governor's acceptance of Teira's offer was conditional upon his shewing a satisfactory title. At the meeting of 12th March, 1859, no substantial exception was made to the right of Teira and his party to the land, W. King insisting merely upon his own possession.

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