G.—3

6

Hori Bopiha (speaking re railways, &c, to Natives of Manganui te Ao, Tuh.ua, &c.): You have agreed to have no town or station in your country, and to take no money for anything of the sort. They cannot put you in gaol for doing so. [To Hohepa : Native lands are those which belong to all Natives in common, and all are entitled to an equal share in the rents or profits. If any Native does not get-his full share of the proceeds, he would be justified in taking his land through the Court. The reason we went to England was that the land should remain in possession of its rightful owners, and that wars should cease. Let us have peace. Should either side break this law we shall all suffer. Let us stick to the king.] [By Pehi Turoa: If the king should ask us to go and fight with Europeans—namely, other than English—unless the king asked, I and my people would not go.] Hiraha (of Patea) and other less influential chiefs, spoke after this, and it was finally agreed that the whole of the people present favourable to the movement, men, women, and children, should sign the document embodying the resolutions proposed to the meeting. This was done by all excepting the Ngatiterangiita, a section or hapu of Tuwharetoa, living on the eastern shores of Lake Taupo from the Tauranga Eiver to the boundaries of the Tatua, of which Hitiri Paerata is the chief. In my opinion, the meeting was, notwithstanding the number present, a failure, as the bulk of those present belonged to the Tuwharetoa and Ngatitama Tribes, although invitations had been issued to every tribe in the Island. The king, Tawhiao, made an excuse for not attending— namely, Manuhiri's death—which, even to his warmest supporters, seemed rather transparent. I have, &c, E. S. Thompson, Major Scannell, E.M., Taupo. Clerk, Eesident Magistrate's Court, {Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; Printing (1,330 copies), Si IBs.]

Authority: Geoege Didsbuey, Governmont Printer, Wellington.—lBBG.