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

Enclosure 1 in No. 5. — Mr. J J Symonds, P.M., to His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington

Enclosure 1 in No. 5.
Mr. J J Symonds, P.M., to His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington.

Wellington, 1st May, 1844.

Sir,—

I have the honor to report to You my arrival in this place, having been compelled, by the following unforeseen circumstances, to withdraw from the expedition for the purchase of a site for the settlement of New Edinburgh, viz.:—1st. Because the Agent of the New Zealand Company for New Edinburgh has proceeded to survey lands and roadsteads contrary to your instructions to me on this head, dated 2nd April, 1844, alleging as an excuse for so doing, his having obtained permission from the proprietors, both European and aboriginal. As the principal chiefs to whom this district partly belongs wore absent at Port Levy, and no permission to survey was granted by them to Mr. Tuckett, while he was at Port Cooper, I considered the sanction of the aboriginal proprietors had not been obtained. Mr. Jones, who is the greatest landed proprietor in this district, did grant permission to Mr. Barnicoat to survey Waikowaite; but this gentleman did not think proper to inform me of the circumstance, although he led Mr. Tuckett to understand that he had fulfilled his instructions on this head. It was by unintentionally overhearing two of Mr. Tuckett's assistants forming plans for the commencement of the survey in question that I was led to conceive their intentions, and was then informed that Mr. Tuckett had left instructions with them to survey Waikowaite, during his absence. Not having informed me of any such arrangements previous to his departure, as I considered your instructions most positive on this point, I recommended these gentlemen, in the mildest terms, to abstain and await the arrival of Mr. Tuckett, who on his return transmitted me the enclosed communication (No. 1), a copy of which I have now the honor to forward for your inspection. 2nd. As the instructions of His Excellency the Governor to me were to superintend and assist in the purchase of a portion of land for the settlement of New Edinburgh, I was led to understand, previous to my departure from this place, by a letter from the New Zealand Company's Principal Agent, a copy of which I had the honor to place before you, that Mr. Tuckett was empowered by him to effect this purchase, and had the means of so doing.

I subsequently ascertained that it was his intention to remunerate the aborigines for their land, partly in goods and partly by a cheque drawn on the Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company. I did not consider the latter mode of payment satisfactory, the aborigines not comprehending the nature of such.

I beg leave to add, in conclusion, that although Mr. Tuckott disclaims in his letter No. 2, (a copy of which I also have the honor to enclose) having expressed any intention of acting in opposition to any of your wishes, he informed me, "that he had no idea of being trammelled by any instructions I might have received on this subject, more especially as they were opposed to the object of his present expedition." And he furthermore stated, as you will perceive by the enclosed communication, that it was his indispensable duty to give his assistants similar instructions in reference to the port of Otago, and all other ports which he might subsequently visit.

Considering this mode of proceeding in direct opposition to the tenor of your instructions, which were peremptory, on this head, I conceived myself bound to withdraw from the expedition, and avail myself of the opportunity which fortunately offered itself at that moment to ascertain your further instructions on these important points.

I have, &c.,

John Jermyn Symonds, P.M.,

His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington.