9

G.— IB

The friendly Natives replied that they had nothing to say in reference to the matters mentioned by the King party, asking them to abandon the land topic, and endeavour by discussion to arrive at some means by which their race can be saved, and live peaceably with the Europeans. The whole of the speeches being in this strain, the meeting broke up on Saturday without any result whatever. There was very little bounce on either side ; the Natives conducted themselves well during their stay at Maungatautari, which they left on Sunday at an early hour for their homes. There must have been, at the very least, 1,200 Natives present. This meeting maybe beneficial in one way, viz., that it will show the King people that the friendly Natives will not concede an inch, but sell the same as heretofore. This knowledge may make them negotiate with the Government, in the hope that with their assistance they will be able to prevent the Knpapas from parting with land. An extract of the speeches is herewith attached. I have, Ac, R. S. Bush, Clerk to the Bench.

Extract of Speeches made at Maungatautaei. Friday, 24sth January. Hone Te Toko (Ngatimaniapoto) : Address of welcome to Arawa. Would speak openly and conceal nothing. Matene Te Huaki (Arawa) : Welcome us. This day has been appointed for us all to hear what you have to say, so that we may learn, and be clear. We have come to meet you, let us hear the topics for discussion. Pakakowhatu (Maniapoto) : Address of welcome to Arawa. Come and see us ; come to the joining of the world; lam that joining. " Haere mai kite kotahi tanga ote ao, ko au te kotahitanga." Kiharhoa (Arawa) : We have come to listen to what you have to say. If it be good, we shall be prepared to follow it; if otherwise, we shall take no notice of it. Iraia Te Kapuroa (Maniapoto) : Address of welcome to Arawa. Waiata —meaning, Join hands and become one. Maihi Te Rangikaheke (Arawa) : Welcome us. AVho made the King ? Tarapipipi, it is this King which has been the cause of all the troubles of this land. There is a tohunga who can model such a canoe as will save the people ; the Arawa are here to help paddle that canoe. It was said that all the canoes had ancestors at the time they came from Hawaiki. lam the King of those canoes. lam a tohunga who can save the country, if you will follow my advice. lam come to you, Waikato, the people who are said to be able to make men out of stone and clay, to learn good. You speak of the country, to what part of it do you allude ? Welcome us, Waikato ; we have come to hear what you have to say. Let us hear it, do not conceal it any longer. If you persist in hiding your sentiments and views, we shall always be in this unhappy state. If you had only followed the advice of your forefathers, all these troubles would not have beset you. Do not persist in keeping the secret to yourselves any longer, but let us share it with you, so that we may be in a position to help you out of these difficulties. Rewi (Maniapoto) : Welcome to Arawa—Here am I. " Kei Tireti au," I am at Tireti —my boundaries are from Te Kuiti to Te Aroha, Te Kuiti to Titiokura, Te Kuiti to Mangatawhiri. Petera,* lam still looking for the decomposed end. ("Tenei ano au c Kimi nei ite pito pirau.") Waiata. Come, so that I may hear your word, and you mine. " Whakamutua tau " " Put an end to yours " (this he repeated four times). lam living at Tireti ("Kei Tireti au c noho ana.") All the other people have done, but you are the person who are still ravaging my heart. You are the person who are driving me on. I ask you to give up your present ways ;if you will do so all will be well. Let us hear your views ; you are the person who are stiff, and not I. Petera Pukuatua (Arawa) addressing the tribes assembled: Let all of you take part in the discussion, do not leave that for us alone. When you speak do not let your words be merely a reply, but express your opinions. Maihi Te Rangikaheke (Arawa) : Tell us what you invited us for—do not keep us in the dark any longer —lay before us that which you have concealed in your houses, and the cargo of your canoe. This is the first time we have met. I said I was a tohunga, and would make a canoe which would contain both of us. Ido not approve of leaving it to you alone to settle, as lam afraid that you will impose upon me. But lam willing to assist you if you will act on my advice. lam getting tired of this. Let us know if you sent for us to a feast, if so give us the food ;if to receive clothes, give them to us ; if to fight, throw down the challenge ; if for discussion, make us acquainted with the topics. Rewi (Maniapoto) : I sent for you in order that you might teach me, the man who has acted wrongly. Maihi (Arawa) : I cannot teach a person so hardened as you are. Rewi : How can I, an ignorant person, know how to act unless I am taught. Maihi : We want to teach you, but you won't learn. Rewi : If I send for a tohunga it would be great presumption on my part to teach him what to do. It is for me to be guided by his counsel. * Referring to Petera's speech on a former visit, to the effect that if Tawhiao found any of the kumara in his storehouse going bad, he was to pick them out and cast them away ; meaning if any of his people committed crime he was to give them up. 3—G Ib.