G.—l

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Kiharoa: Tama-te-Kapua (a large meeting-house) has now been erected. lam here to draw you to that place. The final settlement of the island rests with me. Now, about the ploughing, I say, Yes, plough from here on, on, on, until you reach Wairakei, then turn back again. The evil is not with the land, but is occasioned by man. It is not for you to speak, but it is for me, the offspring of Tiki. " Man's valour is recognized as is that of the ' Kaeaea/ " I invite you to the meeting, but bring your own food with you. Rawiri Tangitu: Welcome to all, no matter though they are Pakeha or Maori, that we may see each other face to face. [Song, " Kahore ra aku ngakau atu."J You ask me to go with Tupara and others to Te Papa. I will not go. We have met this day; that is sufficient. Mr. H. T. Clarice : Friends, salutations ! I rise to reply. Thanks for your warm greeting of Mr. McLean, who has spread peace throughout the island, which he has always tried to maintain. You must have something to say to him. My word, to you is, accept Mr. McLean's invitation, and come to Te Papa. Mr. McLean did not hesitate to come and see you. I therefore say, select some of your number to go to Te Papa. Tupara: Listen, every one! Mr. McLean has invited us to go to Te Papa. Tangitu's invitation was to go inland. What are we to go to Te Papa for ? It is for Tangitu to decide. I will abide by his decision. Hori Tupaea: Your talk is good, very good. lam gratified to hear your words to Mr. McLean. It is a very good suggestion to go to Te Papa. Mr. McLean cannot reach inside your house ; your countenance alone is to be seen. I support what Mr. McLean says :my word to you is, Go to Te Papa. Internally evil still exists, but outwardly things look bright. "It is possible to search the corners of a house, but the corners of the heart are unsearchable." Peni, you talk about the plough going to Otumoetai. It has gone much further than that ; it has reached as far as Katikati; the plough has gone all over the district. Peni Taka: What I say is correct, my plough must go as far as Otumoetai. Mr. Clarke and I have often quarrelled about this land. Mr. Clarke had no right to locate settlers here. Remove the Frenchman away from this place, lest I should become a second Purukutu, because with the Europeans it is a word followed up by a blow. I object to the land here being given to people from other places. Do not locate any one here, either Pakeha or Maori. Enoka and Hori Kingi have asked for half the land to be given back to them. Do not listen to him, Mr. McLean; he has got plenty land; do not give him any more. Enoka .- What I say to you, Tangitu, is this, —Go to Te Papa, and do not talk at random in the way you are doing now; you have nothing to fear at Te Papa. Rotohiko: What Mr. McLean says about cultivation is good; he and Tangitu can play at marbles, and be quiet. Rawiri Tangitu: I have considered your invitation to Te Papa. What is going to be done that should take me there; if you have anything to say, let it be said here. I shall not go to Te Papa. It is not fear that keeps me back, no harm would happen to me there. If I wish to go I will go of my own free will; what we have to say can be settled as well here as there. Mr. McLean: I will not a second time ask you to go to Te Papa; you are just as safe there as here. I wish to make it clear to you about what I meant with regard to cultivating the soil. I do not wish you to suppose that I gave you leave to cultivate any other than those lands that have been allotted to you by Mr. Clarke. I have heard that large and valuable reserves have been made for you. There is much more land than the Pirirakau can ever use. You must not, therefore, expect more land. The Native school at Wareroa was inspected, and was found to be in very satisfactory order. Instructions were given for games and matches to be played with Maketu school. Messrs. Mitchell and Davis came up from Maketu and reported their progress. With respect to the boundary between them and Mr. J. A. Wilson, it was settled this should be the Rangitaiki. Generally they reported good progress, but mentioned the difficulties raised by Natives having signed promissory notes, instancing Henare Pukuatua, who had signed for an amount of some £500, and had received only £2 cash. Mr. Brissenden subsequently saw Mr. Fitzgerald's lawyers, who have written to say their client will withdraw if he gets from the Government something like the sum he has expended on surveys. The Volunteers were informed that they should in future have two consecutive drills in the year, of seven days each. The A.C. at the post were inspected by Mr. McLean, who went through the barracks, &c, and saw the men put through some skirmishing drill. On the 16th December Mr. McLean left Tauranga for Rotorua, via the Bush road, with which he was much pleased. Arrived at Te Awahou, he was received by the Ngatirangiwewehi and some of Ngatipikiao, who had assembled to meet him. The following is the report of the speeches and proceedings : — Notes of Meeting held between the Hon. the Native Minister and Ngatirangiwewehi and Ngatipikiao Tribes at Te Awahou, Rotorua, 17th December, 1873. Waata Taranui .- Welcome, Mr. McLean! welcome to Rotorua and to the Arawa ! Come to Mangorewa. Come to the Arawa, to the memory of the departed ! Come to Rotorua, the source of good and just deeds! [Song—Partly in approval of, and partly objecting to, the action of the Government with reference to lands.] Welcome, Mr. McLean ! Welcome, Ngapuhi! Wiremu Katene: [Song.] Come and assist your people. Welcome Te Kotuku rerenga