REPORT Of Mr, Interpreter Davis's visit to Hokianga.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 November 1855, Page 5

REPORT Of Mr, Interpreter Davis's visit to Hokianga.

Auckland, July sth, 1855. Sir, —I have the honor to report my return from Hokianga, and in accordance with your instructions to inform you that in my intercourse with the Native tribes residing en the banks of that riyer, and the surrounding districts, the most friendly disposition was evinced towards the Government of the Colony, and the settlers generally. It is not necessary to name the various Chiefs I have met during my tour, suffice it to say, that'

I have availed myself of every opportunity afforded of entering into familiar conversation with the native people, in order that I might fully ascertain their real sentiments. And here I may observe, that there is an earnest desire on the part of the Aborigines to assimilate themselves to European usages, and a very great anxiety that their surplus lands should be occupied by the English farmer and trader. Several touching appeals were made to me on this subject, and it was asserted that in consequence of the fewness of European settlers the people were obliged to travel many scores of miles in guest of employment and clothing. The great advantages derivable from the location of Europeans in the vicinity of the Maori settlements seem to be fully known and appreciated by the New Zealander. In corroboration of this statement I may mention that on the 15th of May, I was invited by the Chief Rangatira Moe tara, to a conference with himself and people, when the following speech was delivered, which appeared to embody the feelings of the assembly: Speech of the Chief Taku.

"My son, Mr. , My sentiments to you snail be uttered even as speeches of old. My son, our father Moetara died, and the void was filled up by the Rangatira who now stands here. You who used to be with us, have come now only as a visitor, but your relative is left to take your place, together with his children. "During former years even until this time, we have been exclaiming, 'Alas! there is no town! alas! there is no town !* We are impoverished and neglected as you now see us. We know that love is in your heart towards us, therefore we wish you to carry with you our thoughts, and lay them before the Governor, in order that something may be devised to remedy the present state of things. "My son, we the people of Hokianga have been overlooked. The Bay of Islands has its Magistrate, and Kaipara too; but the Magistrate of, Hokianga appears before us in the form of a piece' of paper. Yes, my son, the Magistrate here is represented by paper. No living man deigns to come hither for the purpose of settling our disputes. "We are weary of this mode of living while others are enjoying the advantages of civilization, and your presence amongst us now, has encouraged us to hope that our forlorn condition will be considered and some means made use of for our advancement. "False speeches, and blighted hopes my son, are not of to day j former generations felt them, and we are feeling them now. If you have caused us to hope my son, others have done the same, and this like the past may prove a fallacy that may sicken the heart more and more. We are prepared to think so my son, nevertheless your

kindly feeling towards us in this matter rejoices our spirits. is intended to be done-, let it be done quickly, for we are rapidly passing away, and soon you will see us no more. Here let my speech be ended." I mentioned to the Chiefs that it would afford me great pleasure to forward their views to the Government, and that it was desirable that their sentiments should be committed to paper. Accordingly on the following day the enclosed was handed to me for translation:— "May 16th, 1855. " O Sir, the Governor, " Salutations to you. We the Chiefs of the heads of Hokianga have assembled for the purpose of searching out something for our improvement. We are looking to you, do you think of us therefore, in reference to Europeans comin* to reside amongst us. We are all young; °our elder chief is Rangatira Moetara. The old men were killed in looking after the property of Mr. Clendon, at Motukauri, where the natives robbed him and his vessel.* "The people of Hokianga have done no wrong that they should be thus deserted by the Europeans. We have heard that the remaining Europeans are going to leave, and there will be no ministers and no magistrates,—the magistrate will be only a paper. In former times Kororareka was a good place, but the people behaved badly; nevertheless, the Europeans went there again to reside. All the people living along the! shores of the Bay of Islands did evil formerly but Hokianga has not injured the Europeans. ' ' " There are many Europeans coming to Auckland from Port Philip, but you send them back. Let them come hither, for we sssembled at Mangungu at the landing of the first Governor, and consented to his remaining in this land; that is to say our consenting was the writing of our names—the names of Moetara's people.** "Do not be fearful of the bar, the Pilot will attend to that; and the sea has already been surveyed by the Europeans. *« There are potatoes here, and wheat, and maize, and all other things ;# for the soil is the parent of all that grows. Be quick, and let us have some Europeans in the summer ;—next summer. " These are all our thoughts to the Governor namely those of fifty Chiefs at the heads of the Hokianga, who assembled to consent to the writing of this letter. "(Signed) Rangatira Moetara, _ "At Pakanae, To the Governor. « Hokianga."

Amongst other Chiefs, resident in the vicinity of the Bay of Islands, I had the satisfaction of meeting with Pene Taui, the late leader of the rebel natives at Ohaeawai. With his intelligence, amiable disposition,, and civilized manners, I was particularly struck. His settlement bears evident marks of industry, and energy. Ploughs and drays,—substantially fenced grounds,.— meet the eye of the traveller, together with a good weather-boarded store built by himself. I found him extremely communicativej and literally thirsting for useful information and anxious to abandon all the Maori practices which- are prejudicial to the interests of his people, over whom he has a large amount of influence. The native disturbance at Whangaruru between Hori Wehiwehi and Manu, is likely to be speedily terminated, as the Resident Magistrate, Mr. Clendon, in conjunction with several leading Chiefs, were about to visit the belligerent parties, for the purpose of establishing peacefulrelations, on my departure from Russell I have the honor to be r Sir, Your obedient servant,. C. O. Davis.. The Native Secretary, Auckland,

Mimi, October 9th, 1555. Friend Mr. M'Lean, Salutations to you. I have received your letter, and do you hearken, I am treasuring up your good sentence to me. JDo you also retain my good sentence. Do you hearken, I will not interfere with the quarrel of the Ngatiawa, for the quarrel of the Ngatiawa tribe does not concern me. Hearken, the name of my tribe is the Ngatimutunga, and we are living peaceably on our own lands at Te Kawaka, Motuuui and Mimi, at Whakarewa, at Wairuatangata. The boundary of our land ends at Napahau thence to Pukehinau and Ohaupu, thence to Mangahia Moki and Paengaroa. These are the lands we claim, [and the people within these boundary lines will not interfere with the present feud.] Do you hearken, the Ngatimutunga tribe originated with my ancestors. Do not regard the speeches of the people of Taitapa because they are thievish, and do not regard the speeches of the Ngatitaraa who are living at Port Nicholson. I will not accede to their words because I am standing on my own land. Do you hearken, let your love be great in reference to my words, even as I pay deference to your words relative to my not joining the feud of the Ngatiawa. Friend Mr. M'Lean, this is another word I have to say to you. All the men of Ngatiawa who are living at Arapawa and about here nave

all received payment for Arop&wa but I hare not, neither for my land, nor for my dead. Be loving towards me. (Signed) Raumoa.

* The vessel alluded to was the schooner " Fortitude " J e J was plundered by a tribe named Te Hikutu. The + Their signature to the Treaty of Waitan<n.