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fittings and cargo : (2) the palisaded pa with all its adjuncts (from which the name arose), with its carvings and its multitude of varied and valuable properties : (3) the whare maihi house with its carved timbers, dedicated to the atua (divinity); it was tapu (sacred), it had mana: this house distinguished and separated all classes of the people; it kept up the skill and handicraft of both men and. women, and preserved the mysteries of the wananga We are quite confident that that which our ears have heard will be realised, and our hearts are full of gladness, as are, no doubt, those of the other elders and ancient ones throughout the eastern, the northern, and the western coasts of this Island of Aotearoa, crossing over to the Island of Te Waipounamu (the Middle Island), including their lesser islands, and right on to those other isles of Hawaiki which have lately been annexed to these Islands, will all raise their voices as one man and cry, "It is well! it is well! it is well! " And their eyes will become suffused with tears in emotional reflection on the past We have had a large meeting, 0 Minister! to consider your Act, and to give what support we can to you. Our meeting is over. Ngati Hikawera and Ngati Moe have come to a unanimous decision, in peace and quietness, and with a resolved mind, to present the carved house " Takitimu," now standing at Kehemane, wholly as it stands to you and the Government as a token of our appreciation of your efforts in connection with the preservation of the handiwork of your Maori people to be viewed by the eyes of the two races, who are now living together as brethren, and those who come after them. The name of the house (Takitimu) was the name of the canoe in which those of Eongokako and his son Tamatea came from afar. Takitimu was one of the famous seven canoes —namely, Takitimu, Kurahaupo, Te Arawa, Tainui, Matatua, Aotea, and Tokomaru —that reached this Island of Aotearoa many generations ago.This is a chief's gift from me, Tamahau Mahupuku, of this the Takitimu carved house, on behalf of the tribes and hapus living within the boundaries of Eongokako, thence to the east coast, on to the northern coast, right round to the western coast, across Cook Strait, and right round the Middle Island. This is an absolute, genuine, and permanent gift under the warm sun to you, O Timi Kara! the Hon. Minister for Native Affairs, of this carved house "Takitimu" in its entirety as it stands. Under this gift you have the right to take, remove, or transfer it from its present site at Kehemane, Nga-waka-a-Kupe, Wairarapa, with its carved timbers, its laced worked sides, and all its furniture, together with the likenesses of the old chiefs which are contained within the said carved house—namely, Wereta te Kawekairangi, Hoera Whakatahakiterangi, Ngairo Takatakaputea, Heremaia Tamakitematangi, and Wireinu Hikawera Mahupaku—whose names are to be found in the deeds ceding lands to the Queen in former days. Under the gift you have the right to take, remove, or transfer it from its present site at Kehemane to any other locality. This gift was made on the 9th day of October, 1901, by Tamahau Mahupuku, on behalf of the descendants of Eongokako and the Maori tribes of Aotearoa (the North Island) and Te Waipounamu (the Middle Island), and all their smaller adjacent islands. O Timi Kara! if you be pleased to accept this gift our hearts will rejoice with exceeding great gladness. From your sincere elder, Tamahau Mahupuku.

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