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that she and her hapu had at Tauranga. She was never in rebellion. Another question is about the lands that Moananui sold to the Government. A of her hapu never received any payment for this land. She had commenced to send in applications in 1878 that the Government should give them some proportion of the land that was contiscated, and also something out of the land that was sold by Te Moanamui. The replies were that she had no claim to the lands. She has sent in applications from 1878 to 1884, and has not been lazy in the matter. Mrs. Turipona here read one of the letters that she got in reply.] She has three claims—one through the conliscation, one by the sale by Te Moanamui, and one regarding the external boundary of the Tauranga, lands.

Hoani Nahe said he would forego what he had to say about his own matters, and would refer to what had been said by Ripeka. During the time he was a member of the House he received several letters front her, and made inquiries of Mr. Clarke and some others regarding them, and discovered that in this district and in the Taranaki District there were number of Natives who took part in the rebellion and there was a certain number who, did not. After the lighting was over a Court was established to inquire into the claims of the different people; and the People who attended these Compensation Courts were appointed to look after the land given to themselves and others of their own tribe who were not attending the Court. These people who were appointed sold the laud without the consent of the others. After these inquiries he was able to reply to the letters that Mrs. Turepona sent him. Hoani Nahe went on to say that he was not quite. clear about the Minister's reply about the right of road across Spencer's land. lie wants the Minister to write him an authority to the person in charge of the Government stores to enable him to remove one of the targets.

Mr Ballance: I am told that the claims which have been advanced by Ripeka have been heard and inquired into repeatedly, and the answer that has been always made is this that she has no claim against the Government, but only against her own people; that, if wrong has been done, it has been done by the hapu to which she belongs in abusing the trust reposed in them; and the speech of Hoani Nahe seems to confirm that. However, it is still open to her to press her claims. She can petition the House, and a further inquiry will lie made: that is her right ; and the Government is strong, as I have said, to protect the weak when the weak are right. I overlooked the point referred to by Nahe about the road through private land. I am under the impression that it is the County Council that has the right to take roads through private lands. I think that. after the liberal way in which the Natives behaved in giving land for the county road, private individuals in the County Council Should give a road for the Maoris: and I shall look into the matter and have representations made to the County Council.

Pereki said he was in trouble about a piece of land called which was surveyed by Mr. Rowe. He made three applications to the Chief Surveyor to ratify that survey, but he

not do it. The Chief Surveyor said he would find the surveyor to do the work. He thinks perhap from that that Mr. Rowe has not got a surveyor's license. He paid Mr. Rowe a part of the money for the survey of the land.

Mr. Ballance said that he would represent to the Chief Surveyor the position in which Pereki was.

Arani Watene referred to the timber on the block of land at Tararu which was cut wit authority. The rule that the Government have laid down is that the Land should be first pussed through the Court; but the timber on this land was sold a long time ago, and the Government paid the money over to the Natives. When the land was passed through the Court, it was found that Arani Watene and her people were the owners of it, and not the people who received the money for the timber. Since the land has been adjudicated in their favour she finds the timber has been all cut down. Considers that the Government is responsible, mid that they should pay her something because the Government paid these moneys away.

Mr. Ballance said that if Arani Watene would send him a letter lie would consider the matter.

NOTES of a MEETING between the Hon. Mr. BALLANCE and the ROTORUA NATIVES, on the 16th

February, 1885.

Whititera te Waiatua, who was the first speaker, presented an address (attached), which, was a welcome from the chiefs and the people of Ngatiwhakauc.

[TRANSLATION.]

This is a welcome to the Native Minister from the Ngatiwhakaue Tribe. Friend, Mr. Ballance, salutations. Welcome to Rotorua; welcome to the land which has been left to es by our ancestors. Our joy is very great at your coining here to see us, so that you may he able to listen to our grievances and troubles, and to afford us relief. Although you have been absent in body, we have heard of the good measures that you brought before Parliament. It is on this account that our joy is very great, for we have heard of the policy expressed by your Government at meetings at Waikato and Wanganui. We believe and hope that we shall now obtain prosperity in consequence of the policy of your Government. In past times many troubles have rested upon us. Welcome to Rotorua. Come and remove the grievances which are resting on us. Welcome to the Anima Tribe, who have always been loyal and upheld the Queen's laws from the time of lighting down to the present. We hope that Providence will watch over you and enable you to carry out your good work affecting the Native people. Long live the Queen L Now, as you have come to see us we will therefore tell you the subjects which wo wish to bring before you. The bulk of the subjects we wish to discuss we will postpone for another occasion. These are the subjects we will now mention: (1) For many years past the Government have been devising laws affecting the Native lands; but those laws still press heavily upon the Natives : therefore it is our desire that some now policy should be enunciated with regard to these matters, therefore we propose that a law should be made jointly-affecting the Native lands. (2.) Let the Native Committee of Rotorua have the direction of the

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