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Leave the matter for three weeks, and then the whole thing will be settled. A matter of more importance fo me is, that we should continue to bear affection to one another. Mr. Ballance: I agree with the remarks of Hopa, that the watercourses should not be interfered with; but the engineer will take care of that, for the sake of the line itself, and put in bridges and culverts. No injury whatever will be done to Native land. Something has been said about eating berries from trees, and so on ; but let me tell you that the money that will come to the people through the construction of this railway will be worth all the berries in the world, and the eels, too. [Laughter.] The Government proposes to let the contracts in such a way that the Natives may be able to take them. That is to say, that a portion of the line will be let in small contracts, so that the Natives themselves may contract and make the line. Therefore a large amount of the money for the construction of this line will go amongst the Native people directly. With regard to the Alexandra Eoad, lam surprised to hear Mr. Ormsby's statement; it is entirely contrary to what I have already heard; but, if the line is only four miles from Kopua to Alexandra, and if the road is to be easily made, Ido not see why it should not be done. This is one of the matters I shall take notice of, and see whether the line cannot be constructed to Alexandra, but without interfering with the other portion of the road that is going on. The road at the present time is only six feet wide. I have given instructions that it should be widened. I believe that it is the wish of the Natives at Kawhia, and of the Natives generally, that it should be made into a cart-road. Instructions, therefore, have been given to widen the line. If the road is as easily made as Mr. Ormsby has stated, you can have a road all the way to Alexandra. Ido not know that there is anything else now to say with regard to it. I think we fairly understand each other. I understand that it is the wish of all of you that these roads and railways should go on. I have explained the matter as fully as I can, and I have only to say, in conclusion, that not a single Native right will be prejudiced. As I said yesterday, greater powers will be placed in the hands of the Natives to deal with their own land, when their land will be enormously increased in value through the construction of this railway and roads. I therefore call upon you all to assist the Government in carrying on these works. Manga: When Mr. Bryce was here it was arranged to give up the railway-line, and I wrote a letter to Mr. Bryce and asked him to hurry on with the formation of the line, in order that it might be completed within five years, that I might ride on it before I die. I thought that was all settled, and that there would be nothing to talk about with regard to that; but I find they are talking about it again. That is all I have got to say about the railway-line; I consider it was settled long ago. Now, it will be well for you to leave the balance of this month for us to consider the matter. It has been previously understood from all parts of the boundary that the thing was settled; now we have objections coming from some parts, and it would be well if we got the balance of this month to settle it, in order that we might discuss these matters that we take great interest in. It is not that we have any doubts in our minds regarding you in the matter, but it is amongst ourselves that we want to settle these matters. Some people of these four tribes who own the land within the boundary are causing trouble. Wahanui has estranged himself by going to the Parliament, to Wellington. Tawhiao was estranged by going to England. This is one matter that is causing me some consideration. Tawhiao was away in England, and Wahanui has been absent at Wellington. Mr. Ballance : With reference to what Manga has said about leaving the remainder of this month for them to discuss this matter among themselves, I think the suggestion is a very good one, and lat once accede to it. I should like to say one word, about Wahanui's going to Wellington, as Manga has referred to it. I was there, too, and discussed the questions with Wahanui relating to the welfare of the people here; and I consider that Wahanui rendered great service to the Native people by his presence at the Parliament last session. He was able to put the views of the people before the Parliament, and represent all their interests, as if the Parliament had been here. His presence there was advantageous to the people, and I see no objection to the people sending as many representatives as they can. Mr. Ormsby yesterday asked for more members of Parliament. I can only say that Wahanui is worth half a dozen members of Parliament to you in the way he hag stated your case to the Parliament. I have now to ask you, if you have discussed all the questions relating to your interests, to allow me to go to Whatiwhatihoe, as I have an appointment there to-day. We have discussed all these questions very fully, and now I propose that you discuss them amongst yourselves during this month; and I wish you to remember this : that I do not come here to sow dissensions among the people. My object is to see you all united, to agree upon all these questions that affect your own interests. All the evils and the mischief that have arisen in the past, and that have most afflicted the Native people, have arisen from their own disunion. You should discuss these questions and agree amongst yourselves, and the Government will be content to assist you in carrying out those things which will be for our mutual good. That is all I have to say. Wahanui: This is in reference to two matters that were referred to—one by Manga, and one by Mr. Ballance. Mr. Ballance has given us three weeks to consider and discuss this matter. If we do not settle the matter within that time it shall be concluded as settled from now. I speak in this way in order that everybody may understand. We will settle it now, lest what has been offered to us now should be taken away; for Governments have offered us things, and we have not accepted them; and it may be, if we do not accept these offers now, at the end of three weeks that the offer will be withdrawn. We must settle it within three weeks whether the thing is to go on.. lam talking in this way in order that you may hear, and that my people may hear.

Notes of a Meeting between the Hon. Mr. Ballance and Tawhiao, at Whatiwhatihoe, 6th February, 1885. Tawhiao said : Greeting to you. Greeting to everybody. Mr. Ballance : I am very glad to see you, Tawhiao< '■ *■