A.—No. 7.

Haee Teweea said : Welcome, O Governor ! Come and see Ngapuhi. Our aged fathers and riends are dead. We, the young Chiefs, still hold their views, which were friendly to the Government. This is the word left us by them. Our Ngapuhi ancestors were not only brave, but they were also thoughtful. Therefore the Ngapuhi ask for the key of the Waikato, not that they expect you to give it, but to test the sincerity of your feeling—whether you wish to carry on war or to make peace. The fighting originally was the fault of the Waikatos themselves, who shewed a disposition to quarrel. I have now another word to bring forward for your consideration. I have a word to say to you (Mr. McLean). I ask you to remove the chain from around my neck. We ask you to release Poti from the stigma resting upon his character—that of the charge of having committed murder in this district. Hamiora Hau, who had previously spoken, rose and addressed Mr. McLean. He said : I rise to confirm your remarks respecting the cause of the war and the differences between the two races. It did not originate with thePakehas, but with the Maoris. I wish to give an explanation of the application made by Ngapuhi, that the land should be placed in their hand. It is not that that land should,be restored to Waikato unconditionally, but that after terms have been agreed upon, the Government and Ngapuhi would consult together respecting that land. At the time of the meeting at the Waimate, when the letter was written, 1 requested the Magistrate that two letters should be written— one to the Government and one to Matutaera, the Waikato King, proposing terms of peace. As it is, no letter was written to the King, but only one letter to the Government ; therefore, no communication having been held with Waikato, the Ngapuhi are ignorant as to their feelings and wishes. After you have made peace with Matutaera, if he attempts to break that peace, the only feeling of Ngapuhi, in the event of such violation of peace, would be to go in a body and fight on behalf of the Government. If anything is to be done in this question, I propose that communications should be held, not with the Ngapuhi only, but with the Earawa and Kaipara also. Kohumaru said: Welcome, Governor! The expression and the feeling of the Ngapuhi is, to remain under the law. You must yourselves acknowledge that we, your children, have been well behaved. The wish has been expressed by Ngapuhi that a Lock-up should be established in Waimate. This shews that we are anxious to respect the law. I have now another word to say in reference to the subject brought forward by Wirikake, with regard to Poti. Peace has been made with Poti by the Ngapuhi; the only difference now is with the Government. The Hon. Mr. Mc Lean again addressed the meeting. He said: The remark you make (alluding to the observations of the last speaker), that you desire to be subject to the law, is correct. As a proof of this desire you have requested that a Lock-up may be erected. As to the question you now bring forward, with respect to Poti, if you agree to abide by the law you should recognise it in all cases. He ought first to have been brought to trial, and the nature of the charge against him investigated by the law. You would then be in a position to petition the Governor on his behalf, and he would consider your request. At present Poti is not under the law, as he was not brought to trial. The Governor, therefore, cannot, at the present time, interfere in this matter. The Governor himself is not above the law, but subject to it as we all are ; and this case must be dealt with according to law. If you wish anything to be done let the man be brought to trial, and afterwards appeal to the Governor on his behalf. With reference to the allusion you made to Te Hura: he was a man who had been tried by the law, and afterwards the Governor was solicited to release him, which he consented to do. Wihongi said : Welcome, Governor ! The expressions just made by Te Makarini (Mr. McLean) respecting Poti are just. It is correct that Poti was kept back from trial, and this can only be considered as opposition to the law. But we long waited to see what the law would do when Arama Karaka took the question up. After his death, nothing having been done in the matter, I myself made peace with the man. Wiremu Katene said: Welcome, Governor! The Ngapuhi are all satisfied that their words have been properly replied to by you. I have one remark to make respecting an expression made use of by the Governor to-day—that the wish of the Queen is that the two races should be united as one. lam deliberating how this can be accomplished. How can they be made one? The only way to accomplish this object is that both races should enjoy equal legislative rights. One thing we are very anxious for, which has not been conceded to us, will be referred to presently. The only privilege we have obtained as yet is that of Crown Grants for our lands. We desire that nothing shall be with» held irom us, but that you should take more into consideration the state of feeling of the different Native tribes. If certain tribes transgress then withhold any rights from them. With reference to the Ngapuhi they are all under the Queen's sovereignty. Then do not treat us the same as those tribes who are hostile to the Government. The only way of accomplishing the object of uniting the two races is, in regulating, the Parliament of New Zealand, not to select a member from amongst the Maoris without giving them due notice. The only great power in the Island is the meeting of the Assembly at Wellington, as I have before said to you. If it be a good thing to introduce Maori members into the Parliament, do not select a single one only to represent the Northern tribes. At present we are not properly represented. The Hon. Mr. McLean said : Wiremu Katene, your remarks deserve careful consideration. Tha Government is desirous to adopt means by which. Maoris of any particular district, such as the North, may have a greater voice in the management of their own local affairs. It might be desirable to have a Maori Council or Local Board for your district, with a European as the head or chairman. The establishment of such a Council must of course be subject to the approval of the General Assembly at Wellington, to which you have referred. The Government is anxious to meet your views by introducing any measures which would prove beneficial to you or to any other tribes who desire to live under our Institutions. His Excellency the Governoe said: I spoke so fully just now that I have nothing more to say to you, except again to thank you for your presence to-day, and for the cordial welcome you have

7

VISIT OE THE GOVERNOR TO THE NORTH.