[Enclosure.]

"This is what was said about Rangitikei—

Governor Grey—'Parakaia, the reason why I have sent for you is that I am alarmed. Trouble is near; this is what I fear, and why I wished to learn what you think about Rangitikei. I am much alarmed. Hostilities are now likely to take place at our end of this Island. What I now desire is that you should consent to the sale of Rangitikei—give it up to Dr. Featherston. If you persist in retaining it you will quarrel among yourselves about it.'

Parakaia—'You do well to be alarmed at the probability of hostilities, but go and talk to Featherston. What has been said about fighting does not proceed from me; that threat of fighting came from Featherston's friends.'

Governor—'Those tribes, Wanganui, Ngatiapa, and Ngatikahununu, are angry because you refused to sell Rangitikei. I am grieved, very much grieved about this, Parakaia.'

Parakaia—'I was not aware that those tribes intended to fight. It must be Dr. Featherston having offered them money caused them to be elated, and to act in that way. What right would men have to go from this to Taranaki to fight? Should we think of going to fight about the land belonging to the men of Ahuriri, as you say Ngatikahununu are coming over here to the country of these tribes without any cause, for the purpose of stirring up strife; besides, it is not my business to lecture those tribes, it is your duty to admonish them.'

Governor—'Don't be headstrong, Parakaia; if you are obstinate you will only be drawing other people into trouble. You resemble a man hauling on page lxxxv to the rope of a canoe, until suddenly it is smashed on a rock. You are also drawing the Government into a war there.'

Parakaia—'I am not responsible for that war (which you imagine will come); that talk about fighting comes from Featherston's friends.'

Governor—'If you will yield to what I advise, just sign your name to the deed of cession, and say to the people—"I have assented to sell this land to the Government. Featherston will take care that my piece of land shall be excluded from the block which is alienated, as well as the lands of those who are opposing the sale." And say to Featherston, "Have their lands excluded from the alienated portions." This is a prudent course to adopt. Sign your names to the deed, that your own pieces of land may be secure; these will not then be touched,^*

Parakaia—'Why have you not hitherto advised me during these months that have elapsed? Had you spoken then I could have communicated what you said to the tribe for their careful consideration, which possibly by this time might have been agreed to; but the day of trouble about Rangitikei is near at hand—it is too late now to deliberate with my tribe. Besides, had I been dealing with McLean (who understands these questions) instead of Featherston, I might be induced to think there was some feasible plan in what you two propose. For Featherston made me a similar offer; I declined it. He pressed me to consent to the sale of Rangitikei, and promised me money. I declined it, and said, "I am not a servant working for hire;" no master said to me, "retain your land;" I retain it of my own accord.'

Governor—'Parakaia, you possess land in many parts of this Island—you have lands at Maungatautari and elsewhere. Give up this particular piece of land to the Government, in order that the Government may treat you with consideration, in reference to your claims to those other lands.'

Parakaia—'stay! one thing at a time. You are now confusing the matter in hand with irrelevent allusions to other land claims.'

Governor—'What I meant was, that the course of the Government might be clear; in my opinion that is right.'

Parakaia—'I said to you some months ago, speak out your mind; do not remain silent, lest your silence be taken advantage of by Dr. Featherston as a page lxxxvi consenting to his evil doings. Had you spoken then, what you now aim at might have been accomplished; but now I am taken aback, I am not clear what to do. I said earnestly on a previous occasion, Governor, speak out your mind.'

Governor—'My son, I did speak before; nevertheless I now speak again distinctly. I am right in what I now propose; you are to blame for refusing to attend to it.'

Parakaia—'What can I do? Can I break a tough tree? The tribe has come to a determination not to sell. I have no power to alter their resolution, I might now, perhaps, influenced by fear of you, give a hasty and useless assent to sell; but what then.'

Governor—'If you fear me, give your assent. I am a wrathful Governor; assent.'

Parakaia—'If it were Maori anger. I should be afraid; but it is a Governor who is angry. I trust he will soon see he is angry without a just cause.'

Governor—'My words are good; you are a madman; you ought to be sent to the lunatic asylum at Karori.'

Parakaia—'You ought to send Featherston to the madhouse at Karori. I am no madman. The land on one side of this block has long since been ceded to you; you heard then that there was a determination to retain this portion. Subsequently Governor Browne and McLean endeavoured to purchase it, but we refused to sell. Those other tribes did not take it from us at that time. You have obtained both the Lower and Upper Manawatu Blocks; this is comparitively a small portion which we are retaining. Let Nepia, Takana, Hoeta, Wiriharai, and all the other owners of the various portions first give their assent to the sale; my assent will then follow and be of use; but for me to venture to take the lead, and give a futile assent to the sale, is beyond my power. There is a fixed determination not to sell Rangitikei. I can now do nothing in the matter. With reference to what you say about fighting, we have nothing to do with that; it is for the Governor to put that down. Two men with conflicting interests will continue to quarrel. Now, you are connected with England, Featherston with New Zealand. Owing to the troubles arising from land purchases conducted in this faulty way, you came here to restore peace. It is Dr. Featherston's duty to maintain the peace. It is for Parakaia's chief—for you are my chief—to mediate and judge. Attend now to what I say. My own piece of land is distinct; it has been surveyed; it is, comparatively with the block, a small piece (meaning his and his immediate friends). Nepia's is small, Rawiri's is small, Takana's is small, so is Whiriharai's, Hoeta's, so is each man's on to the cud. They will none of them consent to part with their lands.'

page lxxxvii

The Governor turned to Puckey (the interpreter) to inquire about Nepia's name. Some conversation took place. The Governor then told Puckey to ask Rawiri to speak, that he might hear whether he thought the Governor or Parakaia had taken the more satisfactory view of the question.

Rawiri Te Wanui said—'Their discussion has made nothing clear to my mind. But this is what I have to say. The old men of the tribe are dead; their resolution to retain this land for the use of the tribe still holds good, and the Governor was plainly informed of their determination at the time. This talk about holding Rangitikei is nothing now—questions about other places in this Island are of later date. Rangitikei still goes on. We who are alive shall not depart from the determination of those who are dead. But with regard to this talk about fighting, it never came from those who are dead, nor shall that evil word originate from us, their children, who survive.

Governor—'You two did well to come to me. I am satisfied. It is well. Parakaia, our talk is ended.'

Present—Hon. J. C. Richmond, Mr. Puckey, Mr. Halse, Parakaia Tokoroa, and Rawiri Te Wanui."