35   G.—1.

quality, from what I had heard, which is quite opposed to Tukukino's character ; and now I hope that in future all these questions will be settled quietly and peaceably after discussion, end in the way that Tukukino proposes they should be settled to-day. I will make inquiry into the matters ho has referred to, and see, if possible, that justice he done. The next question is the rents derived from the reserves and land at Mackay town. I recognize that the Maoris are entitled to the rents from the land which has not yet been acquired by the Government from the Natives: it is only fair that these rents should be paid to them, and I will see that they are paid. References have also been made to the tapus in various blocks of land. I can only say, with regard to those, that they will be carefully looked into; and, if the Natives arc suffering any injustice in respect of these tapus, the remedy will be applied. It is impossible for me to-day to give any more positive reply

they have been inquired into. Hapi Rewi has referred to reserves at Waihi, which, he says, are

useless, and would like to have exchanged. I will also inquire into that subject; but I think that some application ought to have been made sooner for the exchange of these reserves. It is a very difficult thing to affect reserves after they are once made and after the surveys have taken place. If there has been any mistake in the boundaries of these reserves—in excluding the timber which the Maoris reasonably expected—I shall take care that the surveys are rectified. Then reference has again been made to the tramway, and the Natives think that they should receive a portion of the money from the tramway running over Native land. I am inclined to agree with them that they are entitled to this money; and that grievance also shall be remedied. With regard to the timber reserve at Ohinemuri, I am told that some mistake has been made in the matter, and I will see what can be done in the way of redressing that grievance. Application has been made by Haora with regard to doing away with surveys for certain reserves at Waikawau. I admit that the usual rule is that, when reserves are set aside for Natives, the surveys shall be done at the expense of the Government, I do not know why au exception was made in this case; but I will refer the question to the Surveyor-General, and ask him why the Maoris are charged with the cost of the surveys; and I will inform them of the result of the inquiry. Also reference has been made to the granting of leases to Europeans; the Natives wish to have the power to lease their own lands. I am expressing my own opinion when I say that I think it is desirable to give the Natives every facility for leasing their own lands to Europeans. The Europeans can, in the great majority of eases, occupy the Native lands with great benefit both to the Natives and to themselves; and it is desirable that the Natives, where they wish to do so, should be drawing rents for leases of these lands. Wherever, therefore, applications arc received from the Natives to lease their own lands, those applications will be received with favour; and, subject to restrictions to prevent abuse, we shall assist the Natives in leasing the lands. I have heard what has been said with regard to the question of roads which have been taken through sonic of the reserves and cultivations. Instructions have been given to the surveyors in several cases to avoid, as far as roads being taken through cultivations. If in any case roads have been taken through cultivations and through reserves where they could have been taken otherwise, it has been done there contrary to instructions, or because there was no better line for the road. In one case, where the plan of the road was produced, it was shown by the surveyor that the road was taken in that direction because it would be a better line of road—that is, it would save a great distance; but good was accomplished, because a slight deviation was suggested by the surveyor which will, to a large extent, meet the objections which have been raised ; and I propose that in all cases the matter should be referred in the first instance to the Native Committee, and the Chairman of the Native Committee should bring the matter before the Chief Surveyor of the district or before the Resident Magistrate, and that inquiry shall take place into the alleged grievance. An application has been made for a pound. When I was in the Waikato an application was made that there should be no pound. I suppose a desire for a pound is an indication of the advancing civilization of the Natires of this part of the country. I, however, have no power to grant the request which has been mate for a pound; that must be done by the local body—by the Road Board or by the County Council; and you must apply to the local body to grant you a pound. If cattle trespass upon your land you have a right by law to sue for trespass ; and I am informed that you have not beet' slow to avail yourselves of the privilege in the past : that Haora, who made the request for a pound, has himself been successful in suing where cattle have trespassed upon his land. There is also a provision here in the amending Act which gives you power to impound cattle upon your own land ; and this provision will be explained to you afterwards by Mr. Wilkinson. Now, reference has been made to a claim for compensation on the part of Haora, which, he says, was promised to him by Sir Donald McLean. He has shown that he has followed up his clai»t with all diligence and energy ; and he has convinced me also that Sir Donald McLean gave him a sort of promise. I will look further into this matter, and see what can be done. It is probable that I shall advise him to send a petition down to the House, which is the proper course to be taken in all these cases. Now I think it was Tukukino who had referred to the timber at Waitekauri ; I do not know what right he has to the timber there. I would like to have a conversation with him upon the subject after the meeting is over ; and, if he can convince me that he has any right to those trees, I shall see that justice is done in the matter. I cannot see that very much injury has been done in taking the stones from the creek. The Natives sued the County Council, obtained a judgment, and were successful. The only grievance has arisen where the land had not passed through the Court, and where the wrong person has sold the right to take the atones. I think, however, it is very probable that they can arrange that matter among themselves. I would suggest that they should refer it to the Chairman of the Native Committee to decide between them. Where the land was passed through the Court, then the owners will have been ascertained, and there is no fear of any injury being done. That is one reason why the Natives 'themselves should he anxious that the land should be passed through the Court. In reference to this subject, Taipari has asked that a Court should sit here as soon as possible; and I have promised that I shall do all that is in my power, and get a sitting of the Court here at no distant date. I have taken steps also that the expense of putting land