5

G.—l

Wharekahika, Hicks' Bay, 12th April, 1873. Notes of Interview between the Hon. D. McLean, Native Minister, and Iharaira Te Houkamau, on board the p.s. "Luna/ Iharaira Te Houkamau: Welcome to Mr. McLean and your friends of Rongowhakaata, Ngatikahungunu, and Ngatiporou. You have received a letter casting aspersions on you, purporting to come from me and signed with my name. I know nothing of it. When you first visited this place you assigned me certain duties to perform, which I have carried out to the best of my ability. I did not write to you, as some allege, asking for flour, or anything else, nor did I sign my name to a letter casting aspersions on you. My time has been otherwise occupied in attending to the duties assigned me. When troubles and disputes arose, I went to adjust them. A serious dispute occurred at Waiapu, which resulted in the death of one individual. I went there to use my influence in settling the question. Whanau-a-Apanui and Ngaitai were nearly coming to blows about a road, and I went there to see them and adjust the question. This is the work that you gave me to do; but as to casting aspersions on you, I did not do so. Why should I change in my regards and adherence to the Government ? Mr. McLean: I knew very well that you would not be guilty of such indiscretion, and I concluded that it was written by some of the younger men, who signed your name to it to give it weight. Henare Potae: What Iharaira says is quite true; he did not write it. I charged Wikiriwhi publicly with having done so, and he was found in the wrong. Mr. McLean: I thought at the time that the kaumalua had very suddenly altered his opinion, and did not attach weight to the reports. Henare Potae: He was very angry with Wikiriwhi at that time. From Hicks' Bay the " Luna" went to Torere, and anchored for the night off Opotiki, which was entered the next morning. Here were numerous Natives waiting the sitting of the Native Land Court, and Mr. J. A. Wilson was on the spot. The Native Minister had an interview with the Natives, of which the proceedings are attached. Notes of Meeting held at Opotiki between the Hon. D. McLean, Meiha Ropata, Ihaka Whanga, Ihaka Ngarangioue, and the Ngaitai, Whakatohea, Whanau-a-Apanui, and a portion of the Urewera, December 5, 1873. Reiviri .• Welcome, Mr. McLean! Welcome, Ropata! Come and see your people, those who are living on the land that the Government have given to them, and who are living rightly or wrongly, as the case may be. The Government have evinced a desire to become possessed of the land they gave me. I do not know what land has been given to me. Welcome, Mr. McLean and Ropata: it was you who counselled us to adhere to the Pakeha, who would be as a parent to us, which advice we have followed. It is right that you should come here to visit us, and lam pleased to welcome you here ; you it is who all the tribes have selected to administer affairs among them. Mr. McLean .- I came hither to see you. I told you when I last visited you that if you lived peaceably you would benefit by it, but if you did not you would be punished. I am pleased to see that you have followed my advice, and are living quietly. I have heard no complaints, nor have I seen any wrong committed by you since Ropata and I visited you. Ropata was instructed to counsel and direct you, and I am pleased to find that the Opotiki people have conducted themselves so well. I am glad to hear such a good report of you from your magistrate (Mr. Brabant), who tells me that your conduct is very good. With respect to what you say about the lands, the Government do not wish to deprive you of what has been given back to you; but if you lose your land through misconduct or folly, it is you alone who are to blame. If you conduct your affairs in a clear and open manner, they will be clear ; and if you mismanage them, difficulties will arise as a natural consequence. Haimona ; Welcome, greeting; the authority of the Government is now established here ; our visitors, welcome ! Welcome Ropata, who has brought you hither to see the land and the people living on it. Welcome Mr. McLean, and the Chiefs of the East Coast who accompany you; we are glad to welcome you here. Come and see your people whether their actions be good or evil; though you took the land as payment for the evil we committed, we are glad to see you and Ropata visit the people whom you left here. Te Ua-o-te-Rangi .• Welcome! Mr. McLean and Ropata. Welcome, to see your people living at Opotiki. Come and establish what is right, good, and life-giving, [Song.] Te Awanui: Mr. McLean, greeting. Great is my love to you the parent of all. When you speak it is for us to listen. I have heard of you %efore, but it is now for the first time that I see you. I have heard of the advice and directions that you have given us, and have endeavoured to follow it. It is you have saved (whakaora) us in these times. You told us if we had any grievances we were to bring them before you. lam in possession of your words. Welcome here to visit your children.