Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

Purchase of site for Government Officer

Purchase of site for Government Officer.

I was now desired by Tohi to enter into another question of more moment to him, namely, respecting the purchase of the piece of land (about 200 acres) surrounding my house, regarding which I first wrote to you on the 17th May, 1843.

On receiving your reply, I made Tohi acquainted with its nature; but subsequently, and on the point of my leaving Maketu, an old chief named Te Koata offered some opposition, and I refused to proceed farther in the matter till I could ascertain the justice of his claim. This I reported to you verbally.

While Mr. Symonds resided at Maketu, he was constantly urged by the Natives to settle the purchase. A survey of the ground was taken, and the plan sent to Auckland.

page 365

On seeing me, Tohi and his party expressed much dissatisfaction at having been left so long without any European. Te Koata's friends, who were jealous of the importance he derived from an officer of the Government residing with him, threw out that I would never return, and that the house had been built in Vain; they therefore, in jest, named it "Whare-tu-noa," literally the "Folly."

I immediately wrote a note to Te Koata, desiring him to meet me at Rotorua, in order that he might state his claim openly.

At Maketu the question was discussed by Te Pukuatua, Te Amohau, and Pongo, in presence of nearly the whole pah; and as their right to the lands they hold at Maketu is of the same nature as Tohi's, they ridiculed Te Koata's claim.

On my reaching Rotorua a large meeting assembled. Te Koata came forward with much reluctance and made his claim, at the same time assuringTohi that he had no desire for any part of the payment, but that the young men had urged him to claim a horse.

This meeting was conducted very pacifically; the pedigrees on both sides were traced, from which it appeared that either had a right by descent to lands near Maketu.

Tohi's party contended that their original right ceased eight generations back, when the land was conquered by Ngatihaua, under Rangiowiri, by whom their fathers were driven back to Rotorua, and that the land now belonged to those by whose means it had been re-conquered and divided, and that each man had a right to his own division.

Te Koata then tried to show that the land had never been absolutely abandoned by his ancestors, whose right had, consequently, never been extinguished. At the termination of the meeting Tohi made a speech, in which he stated that he was the person whose duty it was to persist in hostility to Tauranga, but that he remained quiet in consideration of his promise that he would do so, so long as an officer of the Government was stationed at Maketu; that the land was for this officer to reside on, and that they never could be sure that they would not be deserted until the land was paid for.* "When the payment arrives," said he, "I will invite all the children of the Arawa" (meaning the whole tribe)" to come and see their riches; after which you will return them to me. Sirs, I have one thing more to say: I give my consent to go to Waikoriri in the summer to make peace with Tupaia."

Having some apprehension that Tupaia might not be willing to meet Tohi, I told him it would be necessary for me first to ascertain his sentiments, and that, if he consented, I would wish Hikairo, Mr. Chapman (the missionary clergyman), &c., to go also, and that I would request Mr. Brown (Archdeacon, appointed by the Bishop) to accompany the Tauranga Natives.

Tohi replied that I need not distrust his motives; that, if I was apprehensive of the result, he would say no more on the subject, but stay quietly at Maketu.

On reaching Matamata, I repeated to Pohepohe, Tipihoa, and the rest what had been said at Rotorua. The former expressed his satisfaction, and assured me that Waikato (meaning the tribe of Waikato) would not be the first to interfere with Motiti, promising to go to Tauranga to talk over the matter with Tupaia.

The payment agreed on for the land first offered for sale was one mare, one filly a year and a half old, and one blanket. Subsequently two pieces of land, about twenty acres, were added as a payment for a saddle and two bridles; and another small spot, about a quarter of an acre, as a payment for things stolen from my house during Mr. Symond's absence at Rotorua.

I have the honor to enclose Tohi's letter to His Excellency.

In conclusion, I would request that you represent to the Governor the expediency of consenting to this purchase, as thereby all farther illfeeling and discussion on the subject will be quieted, and the influence of the Government officer stationed there augmented.

Mr. Chapman has expressed an intention of residing part of the year at Maketu, and I look forward with much anxiety to the execution of his design as a step likely to facilitate the establishment of a friendly intercourse between Ngatiwhakaue and Ngatihaua.

I left Matamata on the 27th ultimo, and arrived at Auckland on the 2nd of this month.

I have, &c.,

Edward Shortland,†
Protector of Aborigines.

George Clarke. Esq., Chief Protector, &c.,