9

Gr. —1

delay to obtain the assent of the Natives to the terms of a treaty acknowledging the Queen's authority over New Zealand, and for that purpose an assembly of chiefs was convened at Waitangi. On the 6th February, 1840, the historic Treaty of Waitangi was signed by forty-six chiefs in the presence of a large concourse of Natives. The Treaty contained three Articles : — " Article the First.—The chiefs cede to Her Majesty the Queen of England, absolutely and without reservation, all the rights and powers of sovereignty which they respectively exercise or possess over their respective territories. " Article the Second.—Her Majesty the Queen of England confirms and guarantees to the chiefs and tribes of New Zealand, and to the respective families and individuals thereof, the full, exclusive, and undisturbed possession of their lands and estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess, so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession. But the chiefs yield to Her Majesty the exclusive right of pre-emption over such lands as the proprietors thereof may be disposed to alienate, at such prices as may be agreed upon between the respective proprietors and persons appointed by Her Majesty to treat with them in that behalf. " Article the Third.—In consideration thereof Her Majesty the Queen of England extends to the Natives of New Zealand Her Royal protection, and imparts to them all the rights and privileges of British subjects." From Waitangi the Treaty was taken about the country by missionaries and Government agents, and before the end of June 512 signatures had been obtained to it. On the 21st May, 1840, Governor Hobson proclaimed British sovereignty over the North Island by right of cession, and over the two Southern Islands by right of discovery. New Zealand was now a portion of the British Empire. CHAPTER lI.—THE RESERVES AT WELLINGTON. 1. Colonel Wakefield's Purchases. Returning to the doings of the Company, the scene changes to New Zealand waters, where the preliminary expedition sighted land near Cape Farewell on the 16th August, 1839, ninety-six days from Plymouth, a good passage having been made by the " Tory " without the sight of land, except a distant glimpse of the Canaries.f 1 ) The course was set for Queen Charlotte Sound, and on the following day the " Tory " dropped anchor in the entrance to Ship's Cove, near to the spot where Captain Cook had found a haven in his numerous visits to the harbour.( 2 ) Here Colonel Wakefield enlisted the services of " Dicky " Barrett, a whaler, to act as guide and interpreter, and in a few weeks' time proceeded to Port Nicholson, where he landed on the 20th September, 1839. In accordance with his instructions, Colonel Wakefield at once proceeded to negotiate with the Natives for the purchase of land. Koreros were held at Pito-one (Petone), Ngauranga (Ngahauranga), and Tearo (Te Aro), the two principal chiefs of the Ngatiawas—Epuni (Te Puni) and Warepori (Wharepouri)—expressed their willingness to sell; others, although urged to refrain( 2 ) by Henry Williams, the missionary, followed suit when they saw the tempting display of goods—especially the muskets — spread out on the deck of the " Tory," and on the 27th September the first deed of purchase, comprising Wanga-Nui-Atera (Whanganui-a-Tara—commonly called Port Nicholson) and a piece of territory " forty or fifty miles in length by twenty-five or thirty in breadth,"( 3 ) was executed by sixteen chiefs, who made their marks in the presence of Richard Barrett, Thomas Lowry (chief mate), and Nayti( 4 ). On the 30th September, 1839, the New Zealand flag was hoisted at a spot close to the Pito-one Pa, a salute of twenty-one guns was fired from the " Tory," hakas were performed by the assembled Natives, and formal possession was taken of the harbour and district for the New Zealand Company amidst the hearty cheers of the mixed spectators( 2 ). Colonel Wakefield next proceeded to Kapiti Island to purchase the lands of that crafty savage Rauparaha, of his fighting lieutenant, Rangihaeata, of Te Hiko, and other chiefs of the Ngatitoas, and on the' 25th October, 1839, completed his second deed of purchase, comprising territory from the 43rd decree of latitude, including the Nelson District, and extending northward to Wanganui and Taranaki. The third negotiation was with the chiefs of the Ngatiawas residing in Queen Charlotte Sound, and on the Bth November the Principal Agent completed his purchase with the Natives there, which' covered the same territory comprising the second deed of purchase. These dealings completed, Colonel Wakefield claimed to have acquired for the Company an area of about twenty million acres extending from the 39th to the 43rd degree of latitude on the west coast, and from the 41st to the 43rd degree on the east coast. The price paid for this huge area of land was a varied assortment of trade goods, ranging from blankets to jews' harps, the much-prized guns (which later were turned

(1) Colonel Wakefield to the Secretary of the Company, 1/9/39 : App. 12th Rep. (2) " Adventure in New Zealand," by E. J. Wakefield ; 1908. ( 3 ) Extract from Colonel Wakefield's journal, 24/10/39, App. 12th Rep. ( 4 ) Taken from copy of original deed of purchase.

2 —Gr. 1.