P.—No. 3a,

28

FURTHER REPORTS FROM

" 0 my friends, chiefs and people of Whanganui, and of the other tribes whom I now see before me. Salutations to you all. I thank you for the hearty greeting which you have given to me now, as on my former visits to Whanganui; this is the third time that I have come to you at your kainga at Putiki. On my first visit a dark cloud had settled on this fair land. A rebellion was raging, and evil men were slaying and plundering almost within sight of this spot. Never shall I forget how, at my call, my gallant friend Te Kepa Eangihiwinui (Major Kemp) sprang forward with all the spirit of his ancestors and said that he would lead a new taua, or war party, against the enemies of the Queen and of the law. The bravery of the warriors of Whanganui has been shown in many a hard fought battle. At Moutoa, at Wereroa, at Tokanu, and elsewhere ; they have never forgotten the dying words of the old chief Hori Kingi te Anaua, who exhorted them to loyalty to the Queen, and friendship with the English. The clouds have now risen, and the sun is again shining on us all. My wife is very glad to see you, for she has often heard of you from me. omy friends, be ye now distinguished and industrious in the arts of peace, as ye have been energetic and persevering in war. Behold the bridge which now unites the banks of your noble river. It unites the dwelling place of the Pakeha with the dwelling place of the Maori. Let it be regarded as an emblem of the permanent union of the two races, of the white skin and the brown. This is the word of the Queen. She desires that her Pakeha and Maori children should grow up into one race, with equal laws and privileges. The representatives of both races sit in the same Parliament, and make laws together for the government of both races. If difficulties should ever again arise my word to you is to have recourse to the arbitration of those laws. Thus will all evil and dissension be avoided, for the future, and peace and prosperity will be secured for yourselves, and for your children, under the blessing of God the giver of all good. G. F. Bowen." Mete Kingi: Welcome, 0 Governor ; welcome to Whanganui. (Song of welcome led by a man named Tahana, in which all joined.) There is nothing more to be said. Mr. McLean : With reference to the release of the prisoners at Otago, of which you have spoken, a promise has been made by the Government that this should be done during the next month. When they are released it is not desirable that they should immediately return to this district. It is first necessary that there should be a clear understanding with reference to the land questions at Waitotara and elsewhere, that Native reserves should be accurately defined, as well as external boundaries, before any Natives can return to that district, which has so long been the scene of strife. Your own good sense will satisfy you of the necessity of having these outstanding questions settled, before the prisoners are allowed to move about as they think proper, or be in a position to create fresh differences; therefore they are first to come to Wellington, and its neighbourhood. With reference to the Horowhenua dispute, I quite disapprove of the course taken by Whanganui in this matter. I say so openly before your face, so that there shall be no misunderstanding on the subject; there is no reason why this case should not be settled by arbitration. The people of Whanganui should live on their own river, and not think of going to Horowhenua, it is best to leave that alone. This is not the only dispute which has been settled by a careful inquiry; the Whanganui peofde, including Kepa and Hunui, whose action in hastily taking up this Horowhenua dispute was wrong; this is the month of December which has been fixed for the investigation of this case, and I am anxious that it should be disposed of without delay, and in accordance with the law. Mawae : Send Ngatiraukawa away from Horowhenua to Otaki. Mr. McLean : They are living there peaceably. Turoa : Listen, Mr. McLean. What you have said about arranging matters about the land first is good. Do not take these people anywhere else, but bring them here to live, until some final settlement is arrived at. What you have said I perfectly agree with. Meiha Kecpa, addressing the Governor, said: Do not take any notice of what these people of Whanganui have said to you. Do not be vexed or annoyed at anything they have said to-day; they are still of the same feeling as they have been all along, and they may say things to-day which perhaps they do not mean. They will adhere to the words of Hori Kingi (words of friendship to the Europeans). We are the descendants of a people who have been accustomed to see Governors and Europeans. We have attended to your word which you have sent to us from Wellington, and have always done what you approve of. " Whakaari and Hikurangi" (the meaning of this is that the tribes were all scattered, and in rebellion, but now they are gathered together and at peace). I have always followed these words, and am rewarded by seeing peace around me. Topia and Turoa, who were opposed to the Government are now on our side. I approve of your law for the preservation of life. It is for the Governor to make such laws as will benefit both races. Wellington is only a short distance from here, and therefore it should be easy to visit Whanganui more frequently, and we should be glad also to see Lady Bowen. Before the bridge was built there was a division, but now there will be unity and concord. Do not think that the people of Whanganui will return to evil works; they will not do any such thing. We will make them respect the laws during our life. Other people may come and cause a disturbance which we may be unable to prevent. Now with respect to Horowhenua. The reason I did not come to any conclusion about it when I was in Wellington, was because I was away from my people ; but now we are all here and living under the law, therefore there is no fear of any disturbance. Let it be left for the law to decide, as w re respect the law; that is all I have to say. We will not trouble you with any of our difficult questions, as we desire to accord you a welcome to the district. All the hard questions which we have to speak of we will discuss with Mr. McLean. Topia: You have heard the welcome of the people. I also wish to welcome you personally. When I was at Wellington I told you that I would become a supporter of yours. 'There was no reason why I should become so, seeing that my people were destroyed by you, and their land taken from them. I say to you, return both land and men, because there is nobody to occupy the land. (Chant of lamentation for loss of relatives and land). Informer times this land was cultivated, but now it is lying waste. But I have now come forth amongst you and shall be saved, and those persons in distress will be released. I approve of these people being returned here. I said to you