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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

No. 2. — Meeting held in Court House, Napier, 29th November, 1873

No. 2.
Meeting held in Court House, Napier, 29th November, 1873.

Patutahi.Relative to the Division of the Block.

PresentHon. D. McLean and Chiefs Tareha, Ihaka Whanga, Hamana Tiakiwai, Te Muera.

Mr. McLean to Ihaka: I do not think you were present when I spoke to the Napier Natives relative to the partition of the Patutahi Block between the Government, Ngatiporou, and Ngatikahungunu; it was then stated that the land had not been surveyed. Since then it has been done, and the Ngatiporou share has been decided. Ngatiporou have disposed of their share to Government for £5,000; what remains is between you, Ngatikahungunu, and Government. At the meeting at Waiohiki I offered to give the Heretaunga Natives money instead of land, which they refused. They would wait until the survey was completed. Tareha is now present as the representative of the Napier Natives. Since then the Commission has sat at Poverty Bay, to decide claims to confiscated land which was to be returned to the resident Natives of Poverty Bay, who were frequently remonstrated with, and warned not to take up arms against the pakeha; notwithstanding which they persisted in their defiant attitude, and now it is hopeless to expect this Patutahi block of land will ever be returned to them.

Mr. McLean to Hamana: This is a word to you about Hapimana's demand to me at Wellington for land to be returned; this cannot be acceded to, especially when demanded as a right in an angry manner; not one acre will be obtained by such an attitudes. Those people persisted in their evil course, and the result was they lost both men and land. Waikato and Tarahaki acted in the same manner, and suffered accordingly. It is no wish of mine that the people should be the sufferers by their folly, and I hope they will not be so in future; you know I am using my best endeavours to initiate a better state of affairs.

Tareha: I support a portion of what you said. In the first place, the Natives were looked down upon by the generality of Europeans, who said our skins and thoughts were both dark, and not clear like theirs. It was you who first recognized our position, and made it your duty to assist them to the utmost of your power. It was through your exertions that we were represented in Parliament; myself and Karaitiana have both been returned for this district, and I was under the impression that you ought to be supported by those whom you had raised to that position. While I was a member I gave you my hearty support, and we always discussed Maori questions. I resigned my seat of my own free will. When the former Government were defeated, and you took office, I said to you that page 384 you were to be careful how you followed the example of the former Government, which slew the people and took the land. After you took office the fight at Taupo took place, where the people were punished for their crimes, but the land was not taken as it was in Waikato and other places. What you say, that nothing would be gained by a defiant demand for land to be returned, is good, and we will talk the matter over quietly.

Mr. McLean: I spoke to Hamana that he might understand that nothing was to be gained by "bounce:" the land referred to was taken by former Governments. I have not been instrumental in taking land. The Taupo and Ureweras, with whom we fought, were not deprived of any land. Natives have been punished for their faults. Tareha, although you have retired from Parliament, your suggestions have been attended to; you should still, as a chief, endeavour to act for the general good and welfare of the Maori people. You and I have always worked together, and done what we thought best for the benefit of both races.

Tareha: A word about what you said to us about Turanga when in Wellington. There were three of us of this place and Wikiriwhi, and you said one portion was to be for the Ngatiporou, one portion for Ngatikahungunu, and one portion for the Government. Since then reports state that Ngatiporou were to have all the land.

Mr. McLean: No; they had their share—no more.

Tareha: When we held our meeting at Waiohiki this was explained to us, and you offered us money for our portion, to which we said, No. We understood that it was the land we were to have, so let yours remain with you. You proposed to return the land to the Poverty Bay Natives. I said, Return your share if you wish to do so; give us ours. You said, "Wait until the survey is completed;" and we have done so.

Mr. McLean: The survey has only very lately been completed. I proposed to return lands beyond certain boundaries. Those have been returned by the Commission.

Tareha: Now that the survey is complete, we find that Ngatiporou, who are Poverty Bay Natives, and Mokena, are disposing of the land, and we think we might as well do the same.

Ihaka Whanga: Let the talk be short. I appear here as the representative of the Wairoa portion of the Ngatikahungunu, who have sent me to receive the money for their share of Patutahi. I said I would go in a straightforward way to Tareha, and then go with him to meet the Europeans. I have now come for the money. There is one question I want to ask: Do Ngatiporou receive both money and land?

Mr. McLean: No; but while the arrangements were pending, they said the land was to be set apart for school purposes. After this they decided to receive money instead of the land, and to have a certain portion set apart for school purposes. They have lately paid about £267, a balance of Patutahi money, for school purposes. You are mistaken in supposing they received both money and land. Was Ihaka. Ngarangione with your people?

Ihaka Whanga: No. He belongs to Turanga, and went with Ngatiporou. Let him look to them for his money.

Tareha: The best plan will be to divide the money, one portion for Ihaka and them commencing from Wairoa to Table Cape, and the other portion for us Napier Natives.

Ihaka Whanga: With respect to the payment of this money, I would suggest that you write to Mr. Burton to come and fetch the money and pay the natives, as I cannot divide the money. You, Mr. McLean, have the list.

Mr. McLean read list of numbers of different hapus who were engaged in fighting at Poverty Bay. Ihaka: Let the money for each individual be explained clearly.

Hamana: Your remarks to me about what was said by Hapimana to you in Wellington are good. My idea is, that when he made that demand, it was not done intentionally in an obnoxious manner It was not right to suppose that that land would be returned. It is gone for good. When Mr. Locke reached the Wairoa, we knew that the land question was to be settled. We were told to trace our claims by ancestry, at which I and other soldiers complained about our wasted labour in fighting against the Hau Haus. Hapimana got all his people, who were chiefly Hau Haus, inserted in the deeds; while only four of us, Ihaka, Maraki, Paora, and myself, were nominally inserted in the deeds.

Mr. McLean: The land is vested really in you, the chiefs. The names of the Hau Haus are inserted, but you hold that land for their benefit. There is one question which ought to be settled, that is, the boundary between you and the Urewera it ought to be done, if possible, this summer. I have appointed Tareha, who is related to both parties, on behalf of the Government, to adjust the matter.

Temuera: What acreage are the people to have?

Mr. McLean: If Ngatiporou had received land, they would have received 10,000 acres. Your people would have received the same

Ihaka: Mr. Burton proposed the chief should have a larger portion than others: but we objected, and said that all should be equal

Mr. McLean read off list. Ihaka's party, 319 men; Heretaunga party, 223 men; Ihaka's party to receive £2,94215s. 6d.—each man at rate of £9 4s. 6d.

The same day Mr. McLean left Napier, and arrived at Poverty Bay on the 30th. The next day a number of Natives assembled in the Court House, and met him there. One of the requests brought forward was for leave for the Hau Haus now living at Torere to return to their old friends. As, however, it appeared that some had come away without permission, they were ordered to return at once.

The following is the report of the meeting:—

The Hon. the Native Minister had an interview with the Turanga Natives in the Court House, Gisborne, on Monday last. Mokena, Ropata, Henare Potae, Ihaka Whanga, and others were also present. Mr. McLean having invited them to state their grievances, the following interesting proceedings took place.

Paora Kati: We have nothing particular to say; we come here to listen to you.

page 385

Matenga Tote: We wish the Hau Haus of the Aitanga a Mahaki, that are in Wiremu Kingi's charge at Opotiki, returned to us.

Wi Haronga: Te Aitanga a Mahaki welcome you here. If you intend to return land to them and Rongowhakaata, and to give them the power of administering their own affairs, it is well. Let chiefs from other places cease from administering our affairs; no matter though they may be Hau Haus, let them give expression to their sentiments. Perhaps some one here will have something further to say on the subject.

Mr. McLean: Will you explain what you mean by your reference to chiefs from other districts administering your affairs?

Wi Haronga: I refer to Henare Potae, Meiha Ropata, Mokena Kohere, and Paora Te Apatu.

Wi Pere: Salutations! I have just returned from Wellington, where I went to see if I could make arrangements for getting some of our lands returned to us. I saw Mr. McLean, who said Return and stay quietly; a new law is being made which would simplify and adjust all such matters." After my return, I conferred with Mr. Locke, on his arrival here, and was satisfied with the arrangements that were made about the land. There are two or three matters which I wish settled: Give us back our burial-grounds at Patutahi, at Wahanui, and at Kaikaitaratahi. Secondly, Let the Hau Haus of Te Aitanga a Mahaki, who are in Wiremu Kingi's charge at Opotiki, be returned to us. And, thirdly, We should also participate in the Patutahi money, and receive £5,000.

Panapa. Waihope: Salutations! I second what Wi Pere says respecting the restoration of the burial-grounds. Secondly, We wish the Hau Haus at Opotiki to be returned to us; some of their number have already returned and are among us, as Mr. Locke knows; let us also receive money for Patutahi.

Pita Te Huhu: [Karakia, incantation.] I approve of your administration, Mr. McLean. I approve of what Wi Pere said about the restoration of the burial grounds; let that be done I wish the Hau Haus at Opotiki returned, and some of the money for Patutahi.

Hoani Ruru: The land belonging to Rongowhakaata was taken by the Government for the crimes of all the Hau Haus of Turanga, and but a small portion of that belonging to Te Aitanga a Mahaki; Ngaitahupo did not lose any land, Paora Te Apatu and others had made application for the adjudication of lands within the "rohe potae;" Rongowhakaata did not, as their land had all been taken. I wish you to give me back a portion. Do you carefully consider this matter.

Paora Kati: If you have any complaint to bring forward, do so now. You are wrong in objecting to Ropata, Henare, and Mokena, for it is through their administration that we have benefited. Money is now asked for Patutahi. If I receive any of the Patutahi money, I shall not go there; if I do not receive some, I will not go there. I wish for some of the Patutahi money. Raharuhi's Crown grants, twelve in number, have not been properly conveyed by him to his relatives, consequently they revert to the whole tribe. Raharuhi signed a document drawn up by the Natives, but the lawyers say it is of no use. I asked Mr. Skipworth to prepare a document conveying his (Rararuhi's) interests in the different blocks to me; he said, Taihoa. I also saw Captain Porter, but he did not arrive till Raharuhi's death, when it was too late. I was very pouri about these Crown grants, and could not sleep.

Wi Pere: Patutahi was taken and divided amongst Ngatiporou, Ngatikahungunu, and the Government. Those tribes said they would give the land back to us as an act of grace (tohu rangatira); this has not been done, for the land has been divided amongst themselves, therefore we do not want their interference with our affairs.

Paora Parau: You see the remnant of Turanga and Rongowhakaatu before you; some perhaps were too lazy to come, while others may have been ashamed or afraid of you. Let the request for the burial-places be granted, and let the Hau Haus under Wiremu Kingi's charge be returned to us. With respect to people from other places coming to administer affairs amongst us, let them attend to the affairs of their own settlements.

Mr. McLean, in reply, said: You, the people of Turanga, have not hitherto shown yourselves capable of managing your own affairs, although you talk largely of your powers. You could not do it even when your old chiefs of authority were alive; and you have always evinced a fickleness and a desire for change, without considering the consequences which would follow. When the Hauhau doctrine came among you, you readily adopted it, and you were completely led away; now you express your jealousy because other chiefs are desired to come here. If you refer to the Ngatiporou chiefs, I tell you they have a right to come here at any time, and will do so whenever requested. I have asked them to come here, and will do so again when I consider it necessary. You have no chiefs to whom any attention is paid; and the old proverb holds good, "Turanga tangata rite;" or, Chiefs and all are of equal standing at Turanga. The land question has been already satisfactorily settled by the Commission which has recently sat here, and I, am not prepared, to make any further concessions either in land or money, as you may consider yourselves liberally treated. I told some of you lately in Wellington, when you spoke to me on the subject of your lands here and at Wairoa, that you would not have met with so much consideration had you assumed a defiant attitude; and I tell you so again. I have always warned you that you will get your grievances redressed and claims recognized more readily by bringing them before the Government in a friendly and proper spirit, than by adopting an opposite course, by which you would gain nothing. No attempts at unfair exaction on your part will be to your advantage, however much you may at times be led to think they are. Some of you have asked for the return of the Hauhaus residing with William King at Opotiki; and I hear that Wi Pere has advised them to come away stealthily. If such means are employed, you cannot expect me to assent to your wishes. Had a frank request been made for their return, and security offered for their good behaviour, the Government might have entertained the application; as it is, they will not be permitted to return. In reference to certain burial-grounds you have asked for, that at Patutahi, which is in the possession of the Government, will be reserved for you; with regard to the others, I can make no promise. You are living in the midst of an increasing and prosperous commu-page 386nity of Europeans, by whose example you should profit. I hope you will learn from them their habits of industry which you see they possess, and which you will find will be much more beneficial to you than fruitless agitations. You should bear in mind that Europeans are an increasing people and that it will be greatly to your advantage to avoid unnecessary contentions, and to dwell with them on peaceable and friendly terms.

Wi Pere: The charge against me is unfounded; there is some one here from Wiremu Kingi's place; we are going there to have the matter cleared up. When Te Muhunga was taken, it was arranged with Mr. Atkinson that he was to have 5,000 acres, with the understanding that we were to have the balance, if any: on survey, it was found to contain 5,390 acres; the balance he refused to return. You are not to blame for this.

Mr. McLean here read from notes that, according to the wording of the agreement, it was 5,000 acres, more or less.

Wi Pere: If it was over, it was to be returned; if under, it was to be made up.

The Hon. Mokena Kohere: Friend Wi Haronga, I rise to answer your objections about us chiefs from distant parts having the administration and management of your lands at Turanga. This is my word to you. You had the opportunity of dealing with your lands, but you threw it away. You have had your lands given to you; my hands are clean; take your land.

Meiha Ropata: Wi Haronga, there is one mistake you make with regard to us chiefs from other districts administering matters connected with your lands at Turanga. If the Government had seen any fault in our administration, they would have told us to cease; it is not for you to dictate to us. In 1865 the troubles commenced here, and they have existed ever since, and we, chiefs from other districts, have done our best to prevent matters being worse with you, and we have succeeded to a certain extent; if it had been left entirely to the people of Turanga, you would never have succeeded in anything for your benefit; if the troubles of this place had ended we should have ceased to visit you.

Ihaka Whanga: I do not agree with what Wi Haronga has said about us strangers having the management and making arrangements about land at Turanga. It has been plainly seen that Wi Haronga and his people have not been able to manage their own affairs properly, or the troubles would not have come on them. If Wi Haronga is competent to administer affairs among his people, why did he not prevent these troubles? When Kereopa came here with his mischief, you were eager to support his cause, and that was the commencement of your downfall. We (the Government) have rescued you from those evils. We have given you your land and taken some for the misdeeds of your Hau Haus; and what land has been given to you you have either sold, mortgaged, or disposed of in some other way; and now you are dissatisfied; you should be glad to welcome a state of peace, and show a good feeling towards the Government.

Wi Haronga: I am found fault with and blamed for not exerting my influence in restraining my people; if they had listened to my advice they would now be in different circumstances; they are easily led away, and when Henare Matua came here they followed him. I was sorry, but was not listened to; the blame of all is thrown upon me. Let my words be proved by each hapu looking after its own affairs; it would then be seen how such were administered, and they would each become responsible for their own conduct.

Henare Potae: What you have said, Wi Haronga, about our coming to Turanga and taking the management of your lands is correct, but we have never come among you yet without being first asked to do so. The Government saw that you were unable to manage matters by yourselves, and they asked us to assist you. However, in future you can conduct your own affairs yourselves, and we shall then see whether you are capable of administering for yourselves.

Anaru Matete: Salutations to you, Mr. McLean! May you live long! I did not go to Wellington with Henare Matua with any intention of doing wrong, but to try and get a hearing from you about my troubles. One of my troubles was that I had been cursed by Paora Kati, and I did not feel satisfied until I had seen you, for you to tell me that I was safe (or not). You told me when you were last in Turanga that I was to remain quiet. I have at last made up my mind to tell you that my lands have all been leased by the Government Natives; my relatives have participated in those leases, and none of them have handed to me any moneys accruing from these rents. I am agreeable to lose the greater portion of my lands for joining the Hauhaus, but I think I am entitled to a portion of land besides what has been given up to the Government. I do not ask for a portion of land that has been sold or confiscated; all I ask for is a portion of the land that is leased.

Mr. McLean: I think you and Paora Kati had better meet and settle matters between you; also your relative Tamihana, who is not present.

Wi Pere: It was proposed that a committee of twelve should be appointed to adjust the surveys, which were a constant cause of irritation. Ropata was named as one of the committee.

Mr. McLean: There will be no cause for such complaints under the new law enacted by the Government, which will remedy all such; and no lands will be brought before the Court for adjudication that are of a questionable nature. (The Native Minister here read the names of several Hauhaus who had been sent to Opotiki, some of whom had returned to Turanga, and some had died.)

The meeting then broke up.