9

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taken to Banana and down the Wanganui Eiver. It is a matter which will involve the expenditure of a considerable amount of money, and I cannot give any certain promise upon the subject. But this I will do : I will press the subject on the attention of the Minister for Public Works, and show the great importance of the road in getting the produce away from the interior. I recognize all that Major Kemp has said about the road, its great importance to this district, and in fact to the colony at large, and, if the money is available, I have no doubt that the road will be shortly commenced; at least nothing shall be wanting on my part personally to urge the matter of the road on the attention of the Government. That is all I can say upon the point. Major Kemp may depend upon it that he will have in myself an advocate for the construction of the road. Now, I think I have put before you, and discussed without reservation, all the important questions which have been brought under my notice to-day. I have given you my mind unreservedly upon the various subjects, and, in return, I would ask you, when any questions arise which you do not clearly understand, to at once communicate with me on the subject. I can assure you that every matter, whether it is of great or small importance, shall receive my attention, and you shall receive a reply respecting it. I again thank you for the words which you have spoken, and for the friendly feelings expressed towards myself and the Government. After this, Honinui made an application for a flag, which was granted by the Native Minister. Bird spoke of a promise made by Sir Donald McLean, some years back, that a place should be built in Wanganui for the Natives to live in when they went to town, and, in replying to a question as to whether it could now be granted, Mr. Ballance said that, if Eini would write to him, he would make inquiry as to what had been promised, and see if it could be fulfilled. Bangihuhatau asked that a mail service should be instituted from Manganui-a-te-ao to Taupo, and, in reply, Mr. Ballance expressed the hope that shortly it would be established, as he admitted its importance. This concluded the business. On Friday, 9th January, 1885, the Native Minister and party proceeded up the river from Banana to Jerusalem, or Kawaeroa. After the usual welcome by the Natives assembled, Tohiora said : This settlement has always been occupied by the Queen's Natives. Hori Kingi came here in search of recruits for the Native Contingent. This sword was presented to me by the Queen for personal bravery against her enemies. Imu Matera said : I express my pleasure at your arrival here to carry out the wishes and desires of the Natives. You come here as a strange individual to marry your policy to the policy of the Natives. All the tribes of Wanganui are pleased at your having come here, and express their pleasure at your doing so. You have come here to ascertain the views of Major Kemp and the views of the Natives. We cannot sufficiently express our pleasure at your having come here. This settlement has always been occupied by Maoris loyal to the Queen. The people of this pa fought against the Hauhaus, and prevented them from advancing on the European population. Now our priests have come here to teach and educate us, and to educate our children in the way in which . they ought to go. Mr. Ballance said : It has given me great pleasure to meet the people and chiefs of Jerusalem on the present occasion. I have often heard of the loyalty of the people of Jerusalem to the Queen, and therefore it gives me a double pleasure to meet you. I have also heard of the prosperity of this settlement. You have referred to Father Soulas's presence amongst you. I know of one service which he has lately rendered to you, the people of Jerusalem. He applied to the Government for a mail between Wanganui and this place, and I had great pleasure, after making inquiry, to grant the request: it is the highest place on the river at which letters are delivered. I have also heard of the good he is doing among the people. I hope the people will support him in the work he is performing. I wish the settlement of Jerusalem increased prosperity in the future, and any service that I can render to you I shall be pleased to render. The Native Minister then went on to Pipiriki, where he was addressed by Earaetinai, who said : Salutations to you, my friend. lam a bad man ;I am called a wild man. I have fought against you; I was your enemy. After the days of Te Kooti, I stand in your presence to-day, having given up fighting and my adherence to Te Kooti. For the future I will be loyal to you and to the Queen. Salutations to you, as the saviour of the people and the land, Whether you are successful or not in saving the land, I salute you. Bangitauera said: Salutations to you, from the days of old down to the present time. Salutations to you, the saviour of the people, and greeting to you on your visit in response to the invitation of the people. It has been said that you will save the people and the land. Salutations to you. You are a stranger to this place, and the land is strange to you. It is out of love for you that your friends have sent an invitation to you to come here, that you might benefit the poor and the indigent. Eaeoroto said : I also would like to say a few words to you. This is my settlement. Ido not live at Banana, although I come from there. These two who have just spoken are the only remaining ones of my relations. All the rest were killed during the war ; they were Hauhaus. Both my parents are dead, and we have been deprived of a great portion of our land by others, who have stolen it from us. It was an assurance from Kemp that he would restore to us all our land that induced us to leave the Hauhaus and give in our submission to the Queen. I then asked Kemp to give us some token from the Queen —that is, I asked for a flag similar to the one flying here. I hope, now you have arrived here, that you will give me a token from the Queen- —that is to say, a flag like this. This flag does not belong to us; it is only borrowed for the occasion. You see here all that remain of us ; hundreds of us were killed at the different fights, at Moutoa and other places. Other tribes are coming and surveying our lands, and we ask you to defend us from them. All I have to say, in conclusion, is that we, the remnant of battles in former days, are very pleased to see you here to-day. 2—G. 1.