F—No. 3

16

CHARGE PREFERRED BY DR. FEATHERSTON

Dr. Featherston 6 Aug., 1861.

to us, respecting this land, respecting Waitara ; our hearts are dark by reason of Mr. Spain's words. Indeed the Europeans are wrong in striving for this land, which was never sold by its owners, the men of Ngatiawa. Now, when the Ngatiawa tribe went to Kapiti, they left some men behind on our lands, who were surprised by the Waikatos, and some of them led away captive; who, having arrived at Waikato, were afterwards returned to Waitara to dwell there. Others came back from Kapiti. "We love the land of our ancestors. We did not receive any of the goods of Colonel Wakefield. It was wrong to buy the land which belonged to other men. There are many Chiefs to whom this land belongs, who are now at Waikanae and Arapaoa. It was love for the lands of our forefathers that brought us back to those lands. Friend Governor, our thoughts are, that those lands were never settled by the Waikatos ; and when we embraced Christianity, we learnt the rules of the Gospel and to dwell in peace. " This also is the determination of our people. Waitara shall not be given up. The men to whom it belongs will hold it for themselves. There was not a single man of the Ngatiawa tribe who received the payment of Wakefield. These are the only men who took the payment, the men of Ngamotu and Puketapu, and they had no right in Waitara. The Ngatiawas are constantly returning to their land on account of their attachment to the land of our birth, —the land which we have cultivated, and which our ancestors marked out by boundaries and delivered to us. Friend Governor do you not love your land, England, the land of your fathers, as we also love our land at Waitara. Friend, let your thought be good towards us. We desire not to strive with the Europeans, but at the same time we do not wish to have our land settled by them ; rather let them be returned to the places which have been paid for by them, lest a root of quarrel remain between us and the Europeans. Friend Governor, be kind to the Natives ; the places that have been justly purchased by the Europeans, let them have them, that your judgment may be just. " This is not from us only, hut from all the Ngatiawa, though the greater part was absent. From Hakopa, Tipene, Te Watarani, Tutarahaina, Paturoi, Te Wareraka, Tamati Tirarau, Hirini Mangonui. " By us, by all the men at Waikanae and Warekauri. " Written by me, William King Whih." Extract of Minute of the Executive Council, 2oth day of January, 1860. Present:— His Excellency the Governor. The Hon. Colonel Gold, Mr. Treasurer Richmond, Mr. Secretary Stafford, " Tancred. " Attorney General Whitaker, j " The Governor submits to the Council the question of the completion of the purchase from the Native Chief Te Teira of a certain block of land situate in the Province of Taranaki, at the mouth of the Waitara on its south or left bank, as a preliminary to which a survey of the land is necessary. " The Council after a full consideration of the circumstances of the case, advise—■ "Ist. That Mr. Parris be instructed to have the said land surveyed in the ordinary manner, and to take care that the Native Chief William King be indirectly, but not officially, made aware of the day on which the survey will be commenced. *' 2nd. Should William King or any other Native endeavour to prevent the survey or in any way interfere with the prosecution of the work, in that case, that the surveying party be protected during the whole performance of their work by an adequate military force under the command of the senior military officer, with which view power to call out the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers, and to proclaim martial law, be transmitted to the commanding officer at New Plymouth, that when the survey shall have been completed the officer commanding at New Plymouth shall, until further instructed, keep possession by force if necessary of the said lands, so as to prevent the occupation of or any act of trespass upon it by any Natives. "That the Civil Authorities at New Plymouth be instructed to assist and co-operate by every means in their power with the military authorities in carrying out these instructions." And the Hon. Col. Gold and the Hon. C. W. Richmond are to give the necessary directions accordingly. F. G. Steward, Clerk of Executive Council. Dr. Featherston wished to state to the Committee that he was not present to substantiate a charge, but simply, to state the grounds ou which his suspicions rested. 74. Chairman.] —Have you any witnesses to call?— Not at present. The Chairman informed Dr. Featherston it was the wish of the Committee he should, if ha desired, be present during Mr. Richmond's examination and that of his witnesses. He did not desire it, but would if the Committee wished it. Dr. Featherston withdrew.