G.-2

7

never agree to what Tawhiao has said —never, never! I understood that this assemblage was to collect them together, and that such words should not be uttered. Do not separate the bundle of sticks, for if you do so, they will be easily broken. Ido not like to speak on this matter. Nini Knhuiai (Ngatipa) said: I am from Waikato —from the waters that flow from these two rivers. In the days of old llangi and Papa were separated from one another. I stood in the middle. In the time of William Thompson I stood outside. Sir George Grey was my friend; I stood with him outside. What I say is my own, and I stand outside of my own accord. Sir George Grey was my friend in the days gone by, and is so now. I will not go to you. Iu the days of William Thompson and Potatau I separated myself. lam still of that opinion. Kerei Manganui said: lam of the Ngapuhi. Salutations to you, my son ! These are my words of love to you, and your parents. (Song.) There is a river flowing between us. Respecting your word, that you have taken iu all the Island, I wish to tell you that I am on one side of the river and you on the other. If I had taken part in the war, I would perhaps have been able to approve of what you said ; but Tamiti Waka and myself joined the pakeha. lam a Government man. From that day I have been a Government man. For this reason, I say, I cannot show you any love, for there is a river between us. Let it be sufficient that you see me, and I see you. I came here not to do this, or that, but to listen to what you both have to say —yourself and Sir George Grey. A half-caste of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, said : What I have to say is concerning the word of Tawhiao, that the whole of the Island was under the shadow of Potatau. That word is correct. Te Moananui and another chief came and put themselves under the shadow of the King. These chiefs brought me under the shadow of the King. I have not heard from that day to this that any of the tribes disapproved of this—that the King should be deposed, or that he should be left to stand. I have heard that one Government has been deposed— : the Government of Sir Donald McLean. Sir Donald McLean was the Minister of those days. I have only to listen to the words of Sir George Grey and Tawhiao. Tuwhenua (Ngatihaua) : I stand up because I heard that this meeting was called by Sir George Grey and Tawhiao. The whole of the Ngutihaua were of this opinion. If I had heard that this meeting was Tawhiao's alone I would not have come here. The Ngatihauas would not have come here if we had heard that it was Tawhiao's meeting alone, and that Sir George Grey was not to be allowed to speak. Major Te Wheoro said: I come from the middle of the Waikato. All the people here assembled know that lam a son of the pakeha. What was said by Tawhiao yesterday has been said before, but I will open up his words that you may be clear about them. Originally, the chief of this land was Potatau. He resided in Auckland. His friend was Sir George Grey. He lived there many years, and he and Sir George Grey established some doctrine of their own there; and I have heard him say, " Cleave to the law, to faith, and to love." I never heard of these other words spoken by Tawhiao yesterday. Subsequently, these words of Potatau were renewed by other people. The whole of the people of the Waikato stood up, and held by these words. But I dissevered myself from them, and fell into the water. When I fell into the water, I was held up by Sir George Grey's hand. AVhat Tawhiao said yesterday was originated at Ngaruawahia. The Waikato people were divided. You brought away your son here. I thought we should make some regulations, and they were made. Sometimes they were up, and sometimes down. Now, what I have to say to you is this: In the days of Potatau, you gave him your land, but it should be your own. The other tribes have spoken their words, and they are mine also. As to the words uttered by Tawhiao, let them be buried out of sight. You people of Taupo and Tauranga, take his words and bury them. 1 say the same to you, the people of Whanganui. I will not allow Tawhiao to follow his present course. No, not until I die. I will never agree to what he says. I alone am the proper one to do this. Here are your treasures [pointing to the Hauhau people!. Handle them carofully [meaning that the Queenites should deal carefully with them]. I have only one thing more to say. There were three meetings —at Waitoino, Kapiha, and Hikurangi. The one at Hikurangi was mine. Take hold of the word uttered at Hikurangi. I will not listen to the words uttered by Tawhiao. I will not agree to them. Go back to the words spoken at Hikurangi, and find fault with Sir George Grey if he has done wrong. Judge him. All I have to say is, finish what took place at Hikurangi. Come and catch hold of these words. Te Ngakau said :It is now becoming dark. The words that you are forcing on us cannot now be considered. I have something to say to you, but I shall not be able to do so, because it is getting dark. Major Te Wheoro agreed that there should be an adjournment until after breakfast next day ; and the meeting then dispersed. Te Kopua, Friday, 2 p.m. Shortly after 9 o'clock the bugle sounded, and the Natives began to assemble at a place much nearer the quarter of Ministers than at the former meetingß. After they had been seated some time, the royal guard marched up, and formed in line outside the mass of the people, who were seated on the ground. The guard were armed, and I noticed one with his musket at full-cock, and capped. Most of them appeared to be mere boys. After prayers, Whitipatato said he would say a few words while he had the opportunity. His idea was that, after the talk was finished, the Hauhau side should remain seated, aud let the others go first. Those who wished to go let them go. Tawhiao himself was not present, but was represented by Wahanui and Te Ngakau. Eewi was also present. Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan arrived on the ground at 9.45, escorted by a number of the Northern Natives. The meeting was the largest that has yet been assembled. An oblong space had been staked out, and a position reserved for the Ministerial party. The weather was fine and breezy. After a pause, Wahanui rose. The burden of his speech was that they should begin by inquiring who had caused the severance between the Maoris aud the Queen. There had been wars in the early days at various places, but he had taken no part in them. He denied that he had severed himself. He had simply put in a post to which to fasten his canoe (meaning that he had taken part in establishing the King move-