33

C.—No. 3

My mission, it will be observed, was simply to treat with the Kaiapoi Maories for the extinction of their title within this Province. But they understand nothing of our Intra-Provincial boundaries My only proper course, so as to avoid difficulties now and at a future day, was, I conceive, to obtain whatever land they were willing to sell, irrespective of mere arbitrary lines of demarcation set up by ourselves. I should have experienced much less difficulty in negotiating with the Maories, had a wider discretion been allowed me, especially in regard to money. It is unfortunate I think, that the sum of £500 or £600 was not at my disposal; as I feel convinced that for such sum I could have concluded one general purchase of the whole country ; for the remaining unsold portion of which, separate treaties must now be entered into with the Kaikoura and Arahura Maories. I have incnrred the responsibility of adding £50 to the £150 recommended in Mr. Johnson's Memorandum to be set apart for the Kaiapoi purchase. In my letter of Bth January, conveying the Chief Kaikoura's offer to His Excellency, I brought forward the strongest prima facie evidence that the Ngaitahu tribes were the only rightful owners of the country North of Kaiapoi. That the question may be understood in its details, and the fairest consideration given to it, it seems right that I should subjoin the following minutes of the proceedings at Kaiapoi. KAIAPOI LAND PURCHASE 1857. MINDTES OF PEOCEEDINGS. 1857.—February. Tuesday 3rd. Left Lyttelton for Kaiapoi The Eevd., J. Aldred, of the Wesleyan Missions, again kindly lends his services to Government as Interpreter. Wednesday 4th. Met Maoris of Port Levy, Rapaki, and Kaiapoi, by appointment. Present also Whakatau, Chief of Kaikoura, and some of his people; also some Akaroa Natives, of whom Wiremu Korowheko, Chief of Onuku ; Hoanl Papita Akaroa, Chief of Wainui; Mautai, Chief of Wairewa, These Maories attended as relatives, and having some claim to share in the payment, not as enjoying any positive rights of ownership. They took no part in the proceedings. Commenced by stating,—My commission was simply to offer from the Governor £150 for the land North of Kaiapoi. Maories required Reserves at Hurunui and Motuuau. Keplied; I had no instructions to entertain any question of Reserves in this case. Maories urged want of room for their increasing stock, insisting on a new Reserve, also on the fact of my agreeing to one at Wairewa, without having instructions. Replied : Wairewa was agreed to, because Mautai and his people were in occupation, and would have no other place to reside on and cultivate; but besides their separate Reserves at Rapaki, Purau, and Port Levy, all very ample, they had at Kaiapoi about 2640 acres, twice the quantity of all the Akaroa Reserves for a population not much larger. After many long speeches, my offer positively and absolutely rejected by acclamation ; and counter-offer made to settle the matter then and there, Ist for £500 cash ;or 2nd for the £ 150 named, and an ample Reserve. They urged the value and extent of their land ; the price we had been selling it at ourselves, to prove the reasonableness of their offer. The land had been stolen from them, —they denied the Ngatitoa's sale, and challenged us to point out houses, burying places, Pas, or any signs of Ngatitoa's ownership. South of Kaiapoi all had been fairly bought, our ownership was unquestioned. I declined the Ist offer, not having £500 or authority to draw for it. The 2nd offer, on same grounds as before. Maories then offer at once to accept £150, as a part payment of the £500, leaving to the good faith of the Governor, payment of the remaining £350. Declined such a loose transaction, as well on their account as on that of the Government. Offered next on my own responsibility to add £50 to the £]50 placed at my disposal by the Governor, and pay the whole £200 at once. My powers being limited, I would incur no further responsibility. Offer very decidedly rejected. Left them to consider it for three hours. On my return the offer was again formally rejected. I then proposed that during the night they should agree to their own proposal, which I would convey to the Governor. I should remain till noon next day at the Kaiapoi Hotel. Meeting broke up about sundown. Thurday sth. Early this morning principal Chiefs request me, by message, to delay my departure and the sending back of the £200 till they should meet me. Shortly after they arrived. Stated : my proposal was discussed during the night ; renewed their several offers of yesterday, dwelling strongly on the necessity for their having a large Reserve. Declined to reconsider these offers, and proposed to convey their terms to the Governor for consideration. Chiefs then expressed their willingness to accept the £200, but required written guarantee that I would represent their case strongly to the Governor, and use my influence to obtain the full sum of £500. Declined : saying, being too confident of tha favorable result of my representations, they would be tempted incautiously to sign away their land. I would not assert that my representation would carry any weight at all. Chiefs insisted, these were their terms : they fully understood their risk, and that I could not pledge the Governor. They believed a fair and generous view of their case would be taken, as soon as it was thoroughly made known. They desired an immediate settlement on these terms. I felt very unwilling to close with them for these terms, believing their demand for £500 to be a very reasonable one. Being much pressed, I agreed to their proposal; after making them thoroughly understand the uncertainty of its being attended to, I gave a guarantee that I would recommend the distribution of £200 among them all, so soon as the Kaikoura purchase should be completed.