11
G.—2.
Paora Tuhaere said that their side would not speak further, and called upon the other side to explain what they really meant. Te Wheoro said : Go to Tawhiao, and tell him that the subjects we wish to talk of are those raised at Hikurangi, and ask him if he wishes to continue the thread taken up there, so that our business will be done. lifiwi: I have been planting a field with proper food, but it turned out weeds. The word was said, " Hold fast, though the Island be thrown into great trouble." The only thing that separates Sir George Grey and myself is what is in my soul. Sir Qeorge Grey : I have heard what To Wahanui has said, and I have heard what Rewi has said. I was very much pleased at some of Te Wahanui's expressions, and I am very much pleased with what Eewi has said. You all know that a very great responsibility rests upon me—that I must strive to guide things to a right conclusion. 1 think, therefore, we had better take Te Wahauui's advice and break up now. Think carefully over what has been said, and then come back in about an hour and see if we cannot work up to some good settlement of the question. The meeting then adjourned for an hour, and was resumed at a quarter past two o'clock. Te Ngakau repeated his question, that he should be told what wrong he had done. Kerei (Mangonui) said that all the people from the North had done speaking.
[From the New Zealand Herald, May 13.] Te Kopua, Friday. TnE following is a continuation of the extended report of Friday's proceedings : — Mailii te Rangikakehe : The tribes hare replied to what Tawhiao has said. The reply of my tribe, the Arawas, was different from that of the others. The people had set up a post, but all the horses except one have now broken away from it. I know who it was that made the King, and also that most of the people have retired from him. The only reason why the Arawas spoke differently yesterday was that we looked and saw that you alone were tied to that post. They saw that all the people who worked that canoe have now gone outside. You should only have one permanent authority over you, bo that some remnant of the Island and the people may remain. There were ten chiefs in this island who agreed to set up the King. "We alone did not utter any words that the King should be set up. But I am not considered a man —my sole chief is Te Arawa. I told the meeting at Ngaruawahia, though all the chiefs of the Island wished to set up our grandson as King, that they should smother the name of King. The name of King is the cause of death. At that time but for very little I would have had my throat cut bv the chiefs. The King is supposed to be for the whole Island, and should therefore be supported by the whole of the tribes, but they have left him to be upset in the ocean, while they have swam ashore. At Maungatautari, it was said : Make peace, in order to save the remnant of the land. I say, Let us all agree to become one. I won't be afraid to utter my words because of you. My son, Tawhiao, you are not a good priest, but I say, Let us become one, and we will stand in the Parliament. There is but a small portion of the Island left, and that is why I say let us become one under the Government of England, so that we may retain a portion of this remnant. I, your friend, am standing under the Government. Some say that I am standing under the Government for the sake of money; but my answer to that is, that before the troubles began I was in the same position. Before the King was made the names of the chiefs who supported the Government reached England. An old man, one of the Kingites, here called out: " You sit down, you are a dos-" Mailii replied: I have not the teeth of a dog, or else I would bite you, you bad fellow. Te Ngalcau said : I have not heard Sir George Grey find fault with me. Am Ito allow my spirit to depart twice? You ask that we should enter into your house. I agree with you. But why should I give up the ghost twice ? Why should I suffer twice ? Hopa te Manqianini (Xgatimaniapoto) : What Mailii has said is correct. By Tawhiao's action the sword was sheathed. It was a sign that war was over. We wish to know his course. Sir George Grey has spoken, and Eewi has followed him. I follow after Itewi, who lias gone over to Sir George Grey's side. I will follow him. lam not going to bo deceived by these chiefs. [Hopa rose from amongst the Kingites and walked away.] A Native from Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, said : I follow what Tawhiao said on the first day, that there should be no more war, no more leasing, selling, or roads. I understood Tawhiao to mean that Sir George Grey should put a stop to these things. I desire that Sir George Grey alone should reply to the speeches, and that no more questions should be asked. I did not come here to hear petty disputes. It is for Tawhiao and Sir George Grey to speak. When I have heard Sir George Grey's speech I will very likely approve of what he says. Te Ngakau : This word has been said, that I should enter your house. Wahanui and I have put our questions, but Sir George Grey has not found fault with me yet. The discussion about matters in this Island are good, and it is right that we should discuss these matters. I have some faults to find with Sir George Grey, and he has a right to find fault with me. I should like all things to be discussed, so that when I enter into your house I will know clearly how I shall die. I ask again, Am I to suffer death twice ? Utuhu Mauliuia : I have not seen any fault in you, the Kingites, since the King was set up. It is right that we should ask those persons who found fault yesterday why they should ask you to enter the house under the shadow of the Queen. They are jealous, and wish you to enter in and suffer with them. That you should enter in without trouble is nonsense. There is jealousy among my tribes. There is a fire consuming me in these days, and that is why I say, Follow the course you are pursuing. Which is the right course? Never mind all things. If you constantly pray to God, you will be saved. He will show you mercy. Lament over yourselves, for I have been bound in chains. The words that Tawhiao has said are true ;it is not a new saying—it is one of old. It has been laid down before. If we lose that name from amongst us, we are all lost, and we have no name left in the Island. We will disappear. There are numbers of men who find fault with this binding together.