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Page 118.

Probably if the decision of the Conference had been the other way there would not have been the same complaint. The Chiefs themselves repeatedly invited an explanation from the Governor, of the Taranaki question. It was made the subject of, or was alluded to in, the greater number of the speeches. Several Ngatiawa Chiefs from Waikanae, Port Nicholson, and Queen Charlotte's Sound were present as well as Ngatitoas from Otaki, who were as thoroughly versed in the Ngatiawa title as the Ngatiawa themselves. The statement made by the Native Secretary was publicly challenged and answered by Wiremu Tamihana te Neke, a relative of Wiremu Kingi, and one of the three dissentients from the Resolution condemning King.

Sir W. Martin says that "the statement of the Native Secretary was not complete, nor on all points accurate." It is to be regretted that this charge was brought against Mr, McLean without stating in what points he was inaccurate. It does not appear that any charge of the kind was made by the Ngatiawa Chiefs who were present at the Conference, and to whom every circumstance in the case was perfectly familiar.