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Proceedings of of the Kohimarama Conference, Comprising Nos. 13 to 18 of the "Maori Messenger."

Proceeding of the Kohimarama Conference

Proceeding of the Kohimarama Conference

Resolutions adopted by the Conference on the 10th August, 1860.

The Chiefs having assembled in the Conference Hall, Paikea rose and proposed the following Resolution:—

"That this Conference takes cognizance of the fact that the several Chiefs, members thereof, are pledged to each other to do nothing inconsistent with their declared recognition of the Queen's sovereignty, and of the union of the two races; also to discountenance all proceedings tending to a breach of the covenant here solemnly entered into by them."

Seconded by Te Manihera Ruia.

Mr. McLean then said, "Let those Chiefs of the Conference who approve of this hold up their hands."

Resolution carried unanimously.

Wiremu Nero Te Awaitaia rose and proposed:—

"That this Conference is of opinion that the project of setting up a Maori King in New Zealand is a cause of strife and division, and is fraught with trouble to the country."

Seconded by Hamiora Matenga Tu.

Mr. McLean said again, "Let those Chiefs who approve hold up their hands." At this point there was some confusion. Tukihaumene, and some other of the older Chiefs, cried out to those who were holding up their hands, "What! do you consent to the King?" Some of the Chiefs then said, "Let us lift up our hands, and then lower them to the ground, as a token of our disapproval of the King "The Resolution was again put to the Meeting, and many of the Chiefs lifted up their hands, and page 7 then lowered them to the ground. But some of them who are related to the Waikato people remained still, and did neither approve nor disapprove of this Resolution.

Proposed by Winiata Pekamu Tohi-teururangi, and seconded by Perenara:—

"That this Conference having heard explained the circumstances which led to the war at Taranaki, is of opinion that the Governor was justified in the course taken by him; that Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake himself provoked the quarrel; and that the proceedings of the latter are wholly indefensible."

Mr. McLean said again, "Let those Chiefs who approve lift up their hands." There was a good deal of confusion. Te Makarini Te Uhiniko got up and said, "My reason for rising is that I do not see many hands lifted up." Herewini Te Amohau, rising up, addressed Te Makarini Te Uhiniko thus: "Your opposition to the Governor is of old; that seems to be your chief work." Te Makarini replied, "I am not opposing now, for I lifted up my hand."

Proposed by Wiremu Tamihana, and seconded by Te Manihera Matangi:—

"That this Conference deprecates in the strongest manner the murders of unarmed Europeans committed by the Natives now fighting at Taranaki."

Resolution carried.

Proposed by Tamihana Te Rauparaha, and seconded by Mete Kingi:—

"That this Conference desires to thank the Bishop of New Zealand for his kindness in allowing them the use of the buildings at Kohimarama." Resolution carried.

Proposed by Wiremu Patene Whitirangi, and seconded by Hamiora Matenga Tu:—

"That this Conference desires to thank His Excellency the Governor for his goodness to the Maori people; that is, for his constant kindness and love towards them; and also, for granting them this great boon, the Runanga whereby they are enabled to express their views, and to propose measures for the settlement of the difficulties which arise among the Native people."

Resolution carried.

Proposed by Makarini Te Uhiniko, and seconded by Tamihana Te Rauparaha:—

"That this Conference desires to thank their friend, Mr. McLean, for his great exertions on their behalf, and for his kindness to the Natives of this Island of New Zealand; page 8 and to assure him that if he should ever leave this country he will never be forgotten by this Runanga—never! never !" Resolution carried.

To prevent any misunderstanding, the Resolutions were afterwards written out, and it was requested that those Chiefs who approved of them should sign their names thereto. The following signatures were attached, viz.:—

  • Wiremu Nero Te Awaitaia,
  • Hemi Matini,
  • Hetaraka Nero,
  • Tamati Waka x Te Ruki,
  • Hapeta Waka, x his mark,
  • Reweti Waikato, x his mark,
  • Mohi Te Rongomau,
  • Matutaera Punga-a-waka, x
  • Winiata Pekamu Tohi Te Ururangi, x
  • Tomika Te Mutu, x
  • Wiremu Patene Whitirangi, x
  • Hamiora Matenga Tu, x
  • Hamuera Te Paki, x
  • Maihi Te Pohepohe, x
  • Menehira Kingi Te Rakau, x
  • Makarini Te Uhiniko,
  • Mohi Kupe, x
  • Topine Te Amohau, x
  • Te Herewini Te Amohau,
  • Tamati Wharehinaki, x
  • Aomarere Te Puna,
  • Takerei Te Nawe, x
  • Hope,
  • Wiremu Kingi Tutepakihirangi,
  • Taiapo Te Waiatua, x
  • Ngahuruhuru, x
  • Tauaru, x
  • Ngarama Te Tipitipi, x
  • Kingi Wiremu Hakitara, x
  • Hemi Parai, x
  • Te Rawharitua, x
  • Himiona Mohaka,
  • Manihera Te Hinaoterangi, x
  • Hori Te Kotuku,
  • Kihirini Te Tuaahu,
  • Taiaroa, x
  • Perenara Te Haukopa,
  • Parakaia Tararoa, x
  • Hohepa Tamaihengia, Ngatitoa, x
  • Hohaia Pokaitara,
  • Nopera Te Ngiha, x
  • Ropata Hurumutu, x
  • Horopapera Pnkeko, x
  • Rawiri Waitere Hikihiki, x
  • Te Rapihana Te Otaota,
  • Hapimana Ngapiko,
  • Kuruho Rangimaru,
  • Moroati Kiharoa,
  • Ihakara Tukumaru,page 9
  • Horomona Toremi, x
  • Tamihana Te Rauparaha,
  • Matene Te Whiwhi,
  • Te Ahukaramu, x his mark,
  • Parakaia Te Pouepa,
  • Wiremu Te Ahukaramu,
  • Paora Tuhaere,
  • Keene, x
  • Paraone Te Rangi
  • Hori Winiana,
  • Manukau Rewarewa,
  • Kepa Te Ahu,
  • Eruera Kahawai, x his mark,
  • Henare Kepa Te Ngae, x
  • Tereanuku x Te Hemara,
  • Henari Winiata, Paratene, x
  • Heremokene Rauparaha,
  • Wiremu Kingi Tuahangata, (Native Assessor,) x
  • Arama Karaka,
  • Kaitoke, x
  • Paikea Te Hekena, x
  • Arama Karaka Ngakete,
  • Pakirori, x
  • Pehimana Hanga, x
  • Taraipine Te Ama, x
  • Pera Taiki, x
  • James Parata Pomare,
  • Ruarangi, Timoti,
  • Hemi,
  • Tame, x Wiremu,
  • Hori Kingi, x
  • Tahana Turoa,
  • Kawana Paipai, x
  • Metekingi, x
  • Mawae, x
  • Hori Kerei Te Naeroa, x
  • Pehimana Hamarama,
  • Ihakara Rangiahua,
  • Hapurona Tohikura, x
  • Reihana Paruhi,
  • Ngapomate, x
  • Maihi P. Kawiti,
  • Manihera Te Iwitahi,
  • Wiremu Pohe, x
  • Whiremu Pomare,
  • Honetana Te Kero,
  • Hare Pomare,
  • Petaera Wharerahi, x
  • Kainamu Tarapo, x
  • Komene Te Ranginoa, x
  • Te Mutu Kuri, x
  • Hoani Wiremu Hipango,
  • Tamati Wiremu Puna x,
page 10

Witness to signatures and marks—

Henry T. Clarke,

Resident Magistrate, Bay of Plenty.

The three other Chiefs who were present when the Resolutions were passed expressed some dissent, and were requested to record it in writing. They did so in manner following:—

We agree to these Resolutions with the. exception of one, which is not clear, and of which we therefore disapprove. It is Resolution III., viz.:—

"That this Conference having heard explained the circumstances which led to the war at Taranaki, is of opinion that the Governor. was justified in the course taken by him; that Wiremu KingiTe Rangitake himself provoked the quarrel; and that the proceedings of the latter are wholly indefensi-This is the Resolution of which we disapprove.

(Signed) Wiremu Tamihana Te Neke, (Signed) Te Manihera Matangi, (Signed) Epiha Karoro.

[i roto i te reo Māori]

Closing Speech of his Excellency The Governor, to The Maori Chiefs Assembled at Kohimarama, on The11Th Day of August, 1860.

My Friends, Chiefs of New Zealand,

"At this Conference, Chiefs from all parts of New Zealand have, for the first time, met together, You have received from me renewed assurances of Her Majesty's regard for your welfare, and you have heard the guarantees given in the Treaty of Waitangi repeated on Her Majesty's behalf.

Various matters upon which you were imperfectly or incorrectly informed, have been explained to you.

Your attention has been directed to the necessity of some better provision for the administration of justice in Native districts, and a code of Rules prepared by Dr. Martin (the late Chief Justice of New Zealand) has been submitted to you.

page 11

You have been invited to consider the subject of Mixed Juries, in cases of murder, where persons of the Maori race are concerned.

Suggestions have been made to you for defining tribal boundaries to land, and securing individual titles, with the view of removing many of the difficulties at present surrounding Native Title.

The English law of succession to property, and the manner of making a Will, as a means of preventing future litigation, have been explained to you.

You have been requested to state your sentiments and wishes freely, and to make known your grievances, in order that (if possible) they might be redressed.

The circumstances which have led to the present disturbance at Taranaki have (at your request) been explained to you: and I think it right to repeat, that I was forced into this war by the aggression of Wiremu Kingi, much against my will; that I desire peace, but it must be peace based on the establishment of law and order, in the place of murder and outrage,—peace which will enable the Pakeha and the Maori to live together in quiet, and without fear or distrust of each other.

Nothing affecting the interests and welfare of your race has been concealed from you, and I doubt not you are quite sincere in the sentiments page 12 of loyalty to Her Majesty and friendship to the Europeans, which you have so generally expressed.

I trust, therefore, that this Conference will prove to have been the means of restoring and strengthening confidence between the two races. Convinced of Her Majesty's desire that her subjects should live in peace, you will return to your homes reassured, and enabled to correct any false impressions which may still linger in the thoughts of your people.

The education of your children, greater attention to the cultivation of the soil, the erection of better houses to live in, and the acquisition of European property, will, I sincerely trust, claim your chief attention, when you return to your people.

I shall have great pleasure in reporting to our most gracious Sovereign, that her Maori subjects, (in whose welfare she takes so deep an interest,) have conducted their first Conference in the most orderly and creditable manner, and that they have given ample proof that they are wanting neither in intelligence nor good feeling,—information which will be very gratifying to her, and scarcely less so to. her Pakeha subjects in England, as well as in New Zealand.

A faithful record of this Conference will be preserved by the Government, and I am sure that hereafter your children will peruse it with much satisfaction, as a history of the first step towards that self-government, which I trust they will comprehend and enjoy.

It now only remains for me to inform you that the Conference will be convened again next year, and the Assembly will assist me in page 13 devising measures for the establishment of order, and for the good of your race generally.

In the interval between the present time and the next Conference, I trust you will carefully consider the subjects to which your attention has been directed, in order that you may come prepared to express matured opinions, and to recommend measures for giving practical effect to your wishes.

Farewell, my Friends! and may God protect you and guide you in the ways of wisdom and in the paths of peace !"