39

G.—B

built by Paul for the good of us all. I have a grievance in respect to the land that a person named Fitzgerald has. It is known as Kakaraia. He is running his cattle and sheep on my land. I wish him to fence in his land that he may look after his own cattle, horses, and sheep. I have no cattle upon my land. You must not be astonished by-and-by if you hear that Ido wrong because of the conduct of that man in respect to my land. I am against his compelling me to fence iv my land. Let him fence in his own boundary line. That is all 1 have to say. AViremu Tarapata : I rise to support Te Honiara's words and three others. Te Hemara was quite correct in what he said about tho three blocks of land. The words of our forefathers left chief's to look after vs —men, women, and children. I will not go away from what our forefathers said. The words of our forefathers are fastened up in a kete, that wc may be guided by them. Therefore lam opposed to any members being appointed. The members that I agree to are the words of our forefathers and the Queen. They will bind us for ever. I shall never let them pass from me. Although some people may say that they brought death, I think that life is above death, not death before life. Death can never put down the present laws. I will never forget the words of the Queen. At the time of Ohaeawai, the word ofthe Queen to the Maoris was that it was good to fight those that fight against us, but that their lands should remain. Those lands still remain. They were never taken from us because of the words of the Queen. These lands were Mapere, Ohaeawai, and Euapekapeka. Therefore I say that tbe Queen's love is very great over this land. She did not allow land to be confiscated by the pakeha because of the war. Therefore all the men in Ngapuhi have supported the Queen's laws. I will be always loyal to the Europeans, on account of the words of the old men. Tamati Waaka said, at the time ofthe war in the AVaikato, "My head place is Auckland. My head is the Europeans. If any one here touches my head I will rise up." The words were, that Auckland should be the boundary for the North Island. Therefore I say that death is not stronger than law. The law will put clown everything. The old men are dead, but the law still lives. I will never forget those words of the Queen and of our forefathers as long as I live. AVaata Tipa: I rise to support Te Hemara's speech. Tho lands were sold for needles, iron pots, blankets, and tobacco. There was a piece of land belonging to my grandfather, which was included in the land mentioned by Te Hemara. I will now refer to my relative, Hetaraka Takapuna. He is dead, and we are the young men who survive him. I agree with what Adam Clark, Pairama, and Te Tatana said. Te AA _rihana: I riso to support Te Hemara, Adam Clark, and the others. I agree that this Parliament should be fixed where it is. I think this is the best place for a Parliament. Eruena Pairama: lam one with Te Hemara, and also with what the Ngapuhi said. The parts of Mahurangi that were improperly taken should be returned to the Maoris. The land belonged to Te Kawarau, Ngaoho, aud Ngatitai. I agree with what Ngatipaoa said in reference to the claims. Te Hemara belongs to Ngatirongo. He is living on part of his land at Mahurangi. I would not be in favour of the next Parliament sitting here until I hear the decision on the other matters that are to be decided. Puhata Eawiri: I rise up to support what I heard Te Hemara say. My land was sold for needles, tobacco, and axes. I think the new Government should give us compensation. I have heard what the other chiefs have said, and I side with them. lam now going to speak about other land, and if you think lam wrong you can tell me to sit down. The land 1 speak of is at Howick, known as Paparoa. Formerly it was given to Grey ; but I am not referring to tho part that was given to Grey, but another piece. William Hoete gave that piece of land to Grey at the time he was Governor. But the piece I am alluding to now was a piece that was cut out of the block for us. I wish that the piece that was cut out of the block—that was reserved to us—should be given up to us by Sir George Grey. Paraone Ngaweke : I heard what Te Hemara said with reference to Tiri Tiri Matangi. That land was arranged for by the first Government. The land was sold by us ; but we got very little payment for it. Tho land was sold by the Maoris, commencing from Tiri Tiri Matangi and running down to Mangawai. The land belonged to Ngatiwhatua, Te Kawcrau, and another iwi. Te Hemara was quite right in what he said. I think !that the Government should give us some payment to be divided amongst the claimants. Let Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan judge whether we are right or wrong. There is another block of land called Hauturu. It was newly surveyed by a man-of-war. AVhat I have heard in this Parliament is very good and correct. Eramiha Paikea : I agree with what Te Hemara said about the lands that have not been surveyed in all places. Let the benefit of those lands bo returned to us. This is another subject. lam going back to the part where I was stopped by tho Chairman, —that is, about claims based on some one having lighted a fire on the laud. The reason I bring this forward is, that one of tho blocks of land belonging to me was taken by a claim of that kind. The land was Te AVairoa. That sort of claim should not exist now. Te Hemara says there will be three members to represent us, and that these members will be the words of the old men, Apihai te Kawau, Paikea, and Te Tinana. Our member will be this Parliament. That will be a member for us from year to year. The meeting was adjourned at 4.30 p.m. till 11 a.m. next day. Eighth Day.—6th March, 1879. The Parliament assembled at 11.30 a.m. Paul Tuhaere presided. The proceedings were opened with prayer. Paul: Be attentive to what lam about to say. The matters you discussed yesterday will not be referred to to-day. Those things that were discussed yesterday are finished until next Parliament. It was stated yesterday that the chiefs had neglected some matters that ought to be brought up. There was a discussion about claims to land resting on the lighting of fires, which I thought best should be left over. According to the European idea about land, if a man has peaceable possession for a certain period he is entitled to it, and no ono can turn him off. The confiscation of land taken by conquest is a law of the Europeans in all parts of the world. If one tribe is at war with another, and one tribe conquers, the conquerors tako possession of the land of the defeated. That has been a law from former