G.--5

32

field, or the director of the New Zealand Company, which was the form adopted by Mr. Kemp; and the Natives should be informed of this, and an explanation given of the reason of the change. The Crown Solicitor will furnish you with the proper form, which can then be filled up so to meet the requirements of the case. " Filthly : At each locality where reserves are set apart for the Natives, the principal chief of the place must have a plan given to him showing the position, shape, and size of such reserves, signed by yourself; and all these separate reserves must be distinctly shown on the general map of the district to be attached to the new deed." It will be seen, then, from these instructions that the Commissioner was authorized to consult with the Natives, follow out their wishes, make liberal provisions for their present and future wants, and see that due regard was shown to secure their interests; and it was further added, " One other point the Lieutenant-Governor would earnestly press upon your attention, and that is the great necessity of exercising the most indefatigable perseverance in all inquiries or discussions with the Natives, both in ascertaining their respective rights and interests, and in winning them to acquiesce in such arrangements as you may consider just and best." Mr. Mantel! later said that in addition he was verbally authorized to promise the Natives schools, hospitals, and general care. This may have arisen out of a discussion as to how the Native reserves set aside for their future wants were to be dealt with. The Native Trust Act of 1844, which was intended to deal with Native reserves, provided that the proceeds of all real and personal property held by the trustees should be expended for the maintenance of schools, providing relief for the sick, and generally for the advancement of the Native race. Mr. Mantell said that these latter promises played an important part in securing the adhesion of the Natives to the terms of the deed of cession. Mr. Mantell's report, dated the sth September, 1848, shows that he was meeting with difficulties, which he says far exceeded his expectations. "In addition," he says, " to the repudiation of the sale, I have had to encounter every obstacle which the Natives could possibly throw in my way." He then says that after pointing out a reserve which he thought sufficient he got the approval of all except one, and that man stopped the survey. " I feel," he says, " that a survey by force even against one man, or concession, or intimidation would be inconsistent with my duty to Her Majesty's Government." On the 21st September, 1848, he again reported, and refers to the vexatious and dishonest attempts at repudiation (as he describes them), and the further difficulties placed in his way. On the Bth November, 1848, Mr. Mantell reports progress, and asks for the assistance, at Akaroa, of some gentleman well acquainted with the Native language, in drawing out the deed of sale, which he desires to have as perfect as possible. On the 23rd December, 1848, he acknowledges receipt of a letter communicating certain changes in his instructions. These must be the ones referred to in the Governor-in-Chief's despatch of the 4th October, 1848. One of the results of these instructions was that Mr. Mantell did not submit the new deed for signature as proposed, and the idea of obtaining it seems to have been abandoned. On the 30th January, 1849, Mr. Mantell made his final report. This shows again that the marking-out of the various reserves was not always done with that good will on the part of the Natives that the Lieutenant-Governor had hoped would be the case. No doubt the Natives were feeling dissatisfied, and expressed themselves accordingly. On the 10th February, 1849, the Governor-in-Chief reported to Earl Grey that, though he had no official information, he had received information that the whole of the details had now been conclusively and satisfactorily adjusted, so that the land question, in as far as nearly the whole of the Middle Island was concerned, had been set at rest. And Lieutenant-Governor Eyre similarly reported to the representative of the New Zealand Company on the 26th February, 1849, that the steps necessary to complete fhe points left indefinite by Mr. Kemp had been carried out.

1888, 1.-8. p. 20.

1 MacKav, p. 21:1.

1 MacKay, p. 215.

1 MaoKiy, p. 216.

1888,1.-8, p. 16.

1888,1.-8, p. 20.