A compendium of official documents relative to native affairs in the South Island, Volume One.

No. 1. — Mr. Mantell to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary

No. 1.
Mr. Mantell to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Sydney Street, Wellington, 13th March, 1851.

Sir,

In accordance with the desire of the Governor-in-Chief, expressed in conversation on the 10th instant, I do myself the honor of submitting to you, for His Excellency's information, the following suggestions relative to the contemplated purchase and partial exploration of the southern portion of the Middle Island.

The Native owners of the district reside, I believe, principally on Stewart's Island and Ruapuke, and a few in the neighbourhood of Otago. The first step would be to assemble and confer with these, and, in company with some part of them, to visit the various settlements on the proposed purchase. I am not aware that there are more than a very inconsiderable number of Natives actually resident in these settlements, and have been informed that these few are mostly mere hangers-on of the Europeans scattered along the coast. With regard to the numerous petty land claims of the latter, I would suggest that distinct instructions be given to the Commissioner for the purchase of the district: on the question of Native Reserves also, as some may be necessary, I should wish to be fully instructed. In carrying out the spirit of my instructions on the block purchased by Mr. Kemp, I allotted on an average ten acres to each individual, in the belief that the ownership of such an amount of land, though ample for their support, would not enable the Natives, in the capacity of large landed proprietors, to continue to live in their old barbarism on the rents of an uselessly extensive domain.

With respect to the equipment necessary, it must be borne in mind that in parts, especially toward the West Coast, overland communication is reported to be impracticable; I would therefore recommend the chartering of a serviceable coaster, sufficiently large to carry a useful boat: the vessel, if such a course were sanctioned by Government, might be useful in payment for the territory to be acquired; in such a craft, too, the Natives resident on the western portion of the block purchased by Mr. Kemp might be visited, and some idea obtained of the nature and value of that country.

I have been unable to ascertain what season is the best for such an expedition: I may state, however, that from what experience I have had of the climate of the Middle Island, the earliest spring (July and August) would be the most favourable time for commencing it. The first harvest would for some time distract many of the Natives from the business of the mission, but I doubt not that the presence of the chiefs most interested might be secured.

On the subject of the scientific exploration of the country, it is almost needless for me to remark that the amount of information acquired must depend in a great measure on the time and means placed for that purpose at the disposal of the purchaser; but whatever may be the restrictions necessary in this respect, a constant attention to the subject on his part, and overland journeys, whenever practicable may, with little if any additional expense to the Government, enable him to ascertain with tolerable, accuracy the geological structure and mineral wealth of the country, and any features in its zoology or botany in which it may differ from those portions of the Islands with which we have been longer acquainted.

I have, &c.,
Walter Mantell.

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief,

Wellington.