G.-2

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lam ignorant of the causes which have influenced you. Hereafter all this will be known, and it will be Been how far you have been wise in rejecting the friendly overtures and substantial proposals made to you on behalf of the Government of the Colony. Friend, there is but one thing which I said in my speech of last evening that I will now repeat to you. This is it: When I leave Kopua to-day, I will take with me all the proposals which I made to you at Hikurangi. I withdraw them absolutely; and if at any time hereafter the Government and yourself should again discuss the terms of settlement, everything will have to begin afresh, and you will not be able to start upon the basis of the Hikurangi proposals, which will have departed this day with me, and will hereafter have ceased to exist. This is not an idle word, for, when twelve months ago I made you those offers, and you asked for time to consult the chiefs of other tribes who were not present at the meeting, I agreed to that course. Thereupon, I caused all the lands which I proposed to give back to you, and all those from which you were to select portions, to be made tapu, so that they might not be purchased, and so lost to you. For twelve months those lands have been tied up, to the great discontent of many who have come into the Waikato District to settle down, and have not been able to procure land. As our arrangement is now ended, the tapu on these lands will be removed, and they will not further be withheld from sale. Friend, good-bye !Do not imagine that Igo away in anger. I was your father's friend. I have been your friend also, and will continue to be your friend in the days to come. I leave, not in anger but in sorrow, because you have not been wise enough to accept the benefits offered to you, and because the hope which I have cherished for years, that I might be the means of placing yourself and your people in a condition of prosperity and peace, has been again deferred. This is all from me.—From your friend,—G. Grey." The Ministerial party embarked on board the war-canoes shortly after 11 o'clock, and arrived at Alexandra at about half-past 2 o'clock.

By Authority: Geobse Didsbttry, G-orernment Printer, Wellington. Price 9d.]