G.—2

and took Wi Parata into the Government. That Mr. Waterhouse had understood the intention of Sir E. Stafford only in one Avay, is evident from the question he had just put in the Legislative Council, whether, after Sir E. Stafford's statement as to the intentions of the Government about the confiscated lands, they still meant to go on with the sale of land then advertised at Patea; when Mr. Sewell said that the land Avould not be put up for sale. It seemed that at every point, no sooner was some step determined to be taken than it had to be retraced. The one thing that Avas going steadily on, was the reoccupation by the Natives of the Waimate Plains. k V.—The Arrangements of 1873. We submit to Your Excellency that it Avould be hard for any impartial observer to deny, that the Avhole course of events during the year 1872, the debates in Parliament, and the declarations of the leaders of both parties, united to justify the Natives aalio had returned to the country north of Waingongoro in believing that they would not again be dispossessed. Yet in the face of the protests Avhich the tribes south of the river had made, it is not less clear that while Sir Donald McLean was still minded not to enforce the confiscation, he did not choose to give it up. Hardly had the Parliament risen, before he took steps to make the Natives throughout the Coast realize their true position. Leaving Wellington on the Bth January 1878, he held successively great meetings at Whanganui, HaAvera, and NeAV Plymouth. Major Kemp once more reneAved his protest against restoring the land upon the Plains. "My people," he said, " have heard that the land between Waingongoro and Taranaki has been given back; at which they are indignant, because the Taranaki tribes have been treated so well while they have themselves been so heavily punished. I haA re heard that the land north of Waingongoro has been returned, and I ask you to relieve my people from their distress, as you have done in the case of those north of that river." The Hon. Wi Parata replied that nothing had been done in the Assembly about returning lands to one particular section of Natives, and treating others differently. " The whole of the land," he said, " was taken under the law, and at the same time. Do not think we haA re cut off land for any particular tribe: we consider that we [the Government] still have the Avhole of it." Sir Donald McLean said: "In reference to the land north of Waingongoro, I am not aware of its having been given up as you [the Natives J say : no, none of it has." He added : " The question relating to land I Avill inquire into carefully at another time, and Avill tell you what is to be done about it." Major Kemp rejoined that he believed the story about the restoration of the land north of Waingongoro : Mete Kingi declared that he had gone Avith Taurua to Sir Edward Stafford, aalio told him that lands sold to Europeans could not be interfered with, but that the land not occupied would be restored. At another meeting on 81st January, Sir Donald announced his decision for the location of Taurua, and the reserves in the Patea district. He then completed his work by issuing two separate orders for the guidance of his officers north and south of Waingongoro. The HaAvera settlers he conciliated by at once devoting a large sum to beginning the Mountain Boad; and he abrogated Mr. Box's promise about "no Native fire being lighted," on the plea that although that pledge had been kept so long as Mr. Eox remained at the head of the Ministry, it had been made in a time of danger Avhich had passed away. Going on to New Plymouth, he held another large meeting of the Ngatiruanui, Ngatiawa, and Taranaki tribes, Avhen he advised them to cultivate the arts of peace. "All the lands," he said, "are in the hands of the Government. The other [Patea] side of Waingongoro has already been settled, and we must now arrange about this side. The Government desire to treat you Avell in the matter." He then w rent on : " You had better turn to the cultivation of food. Bemember your own proverb, ' The fame of the warrior is short-lived, but the fame of a man strong to cultivate is everlasting.' Let us quietly make arrangements about the land. The Government Avish to see you settled in a satisfactory way upon it: then only can Ave consider a permanent peace established. My advice to you is to be strong in cultiA Tating, and to follow agricultural pursuits. Let your future fighting be with the soil. Let your name ' Ngatiruanui' be famous as it Avas of old. Beturn to the land, not as strangers but as children of the soil."

1872. Hon. Mr. AVaterhouse, Question, Ist October 1872, Hansard xiii., 420.

1873. Notes of Sir D. McLean's journey, January 1873, 43/6973.

Notes of Meeting at Whanganui, 73/314: Published in Waka Maori of sth February 1873 (corrected by Sir D. McLean).

Sir D. McLean, Instructions, 31st January and 6th February 1873, Appendix A, No. 3. Notes of Meeting at New Plymouth, loth February 1873, 73/1782 (corrected by Sir D. McLean).

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