G.—B

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Government gave was 3d. to 6d. per acre, and then the Government sold to private Europeans at from £1 to £5 per acre. That is why I say you should discuss that part of the treaty that has authorized the sale of Maori lands. (Applause.) Hori Tauroa : I get up to tell you why I came to this Parliament. I am very glad, in the first place, that Paul has built this house for the purpose of enabling us to meet and discuss the troubles that exist in this Island. I think that all the troubles have been brought about by the Treaty of AVaitangi. I think the treaty alone has been the cause of all the trouble. All the Natives signed that treaty, giving the Queen power over all this Island. That is all I have to say about the treaty. I will now refer to the words of Grey and Sheehan. I will show now where I have been left by the Government. I remember the Government promised in that treaty to protect my land and goods, and to protect me in peace. It was promised that those who were loyal to the Queen would be protected in their person and property; but those who made war against the Queen, and killed her soldiers, were to be punished by the confiscation of their lands. I remained loyal to the Queen, but my goods were taken by her subjects; the most valuable part of my property was taken. Te Toki-a-Tapiri was taken and broken. It remains now broken into fragments. Now that Grey and Sheehan represent the new Government, let them think of this, because it was the old Government that was to blame. Another matter in respect to which I say that the Government did wrong was the Manukau. I was not aware of the Government taking all my large pipi-banks and shoals in the Manukau. Those large banks have all gone to the Government. 1 was not told why these were taken. I wish to know now whether they belong to the Queen or remain my property. Paul Tuhaere: Listen, all who are assembled here. 1 told you yesterday not to bring up what had already been discussed and agreed to. AYe agreed in the resolutions to represent to the Government that these things should remain with us. AYe had a show of hands on this subject. To-day I wish you to bring up new matters. This last speaker I allowed to go on because I wanted to hear what he had to say; but if I hear any other speaker go into those old subjects I shall stop him. Hori Tauroa : Let me finish what I have to say. Listen quietly, and then I will end. These are the only two wrongs that the Government have done to me. I have other things to mention; but those are the main points. You must allow me to go into these matters. lam much pleased with what Grey and Sheehan have written about opening this house. Sir George Grey says he is glad that Paul has discovered a way to bring the people of Ngatiwhatua together, and to agree upon the troubles that have afflicted this Island. I think that those words of Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan promise much good for the Natives of this Island. They tell all the people who are assembled from all parts of the Island to be united and to be kind to the Europeans. I approve of this plan of seeking new ways of uniting the Maoris and tho Europeans ; and I say it is right that Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan and the people of this runanga should seek some way of arranging all our difficulties. Let them prepare a plan for the Te Kopua meeting. lam very anxious that the whole of the people here assembled should go to Te Kopua and discuss matters there. Mangonui Kerei (Ngapuhi) : Long life to the chairman. My father and my grandfather, Te AVaaka Nene, are dead. AViremu Kaitaia is dead. I only remain. I was present at the Treaty of Kohimarama. (Song.) That is my song for the dead. I hold a copy of that treaty. Now that this Parliament is opened I will open another. We are now building the house for it. Listen to me, all you tribes that are inquiring into the troubles of the people. Paul has got up one Parliament, and I will have another. I am a man without land; but, although I have no land, I have got a small garment. That will remind us of the Treaty of AVaitangi. The child of the Treaty of AVaitangi was the Treaty of Kohimarama. And, though I have no land, I have a small relative in the Treaty of Kohimarama. I have a house now building which will show what has been born of that treaty. Now I have brought my garment into this house to join in with what Paul says. I agree that we should all remain loyal to the Queen and Grey. Te Wikiriwhi (Kaipara) : AVhat I have to say is, that my father and I have been wronged. Some time ago there was a deposit given on our lands. The name of tho land was Okahukura. The person who paid the deposit was Fitzgerald. After that the land was surveyed. My father was not willing that the land should be surveyed. Paul: You are aware that the land was sold ? Te AVikiriwhi: I am; but there was a certain portion to be reserved for me. My father has written two letters to the Government asking them to send surveyors down to cut the portion off for my father and myself, but the Government has not sent any surveyor. Now Fitzgerald says I must have the land surveyed. My father replied that the Government ought to send a surveyor, but Fitzgerald now says that unless the land is surveyed he will turn us off. These are the troubles that are brought upon my father and me. My father thinks a great deal of that land, because his children are buried there. My father says he will not give up that portion of the reserve, though he may be put in gaol. I bring this matter before you in order that you may know all about it in case Fitzgerald brings this case before the Government. lam anxious that the Government should send a surveyor down to cut off my reserve ; and when the land is surveyed then the surveyor will be paid. Unless a surveyor is sent down, trouble will be brought upon my father and me Hami Tawaewae: AVhat I have to talk about is my lands. The name of one place is called Takanenc, and Pahehekeheke is another. This land has not been surveyed, nor Crown-granted. The boundary to the south is Government land at Babylon; the boundary to the west is Onerangatira; the line to the north-west is Paparoa; the boundary to the east is the Eiver Kaipara, and it ends at the Government land at Babylon. Our claim to this land is from our ancestors. AYe are not willing to have any survey upon that land. I will hold possession of it for myself and descendants. The reason of my bringing this matter before you is to prevent any chiefs taking deposits upon that land. If any Europeans wish to buy that land, let them come to us. But we will not let that piece of land pass into the possession of Europeans. Tho cattle of a European named AVilliam Young are running on that land, but I gave him permission. He has not a lease like the Government leases, but only a right of run. There is no fence on that land, but ho pays for his cattle grazing on the land.