A LETTER FROM THE SURVEYOR GENERAL TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 89, 13 February 1847, Page 4

A LETTER FROM THE SURVEYOR GENERAL TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

Surveyor General's Office, Auckland, 2Glh November, 1846. Sir, — Having been directed by His Excellency tlio Governor to proceed to the Waikato district, to ascertain the feelings of the Natives with reference to the contemplated road from Auckland to Wellington, and to learn how far their co operation, as laborers in the construction of it, could be relied upon. I have the honor to report, that I visited all the Natives living on the Waikato, as high up that river as Kitotihe, and found them well disposed towards the undertaking, but not so anxious to engage in the work, at the rate of wages named to them— one shilling and sixpence per diem— as might have been expected. I have very little doubt, however, but that a sufficient number will be obtained when their cultivations are completed, which may be expected to be the case before the end of December. Their dispositions and customs lead them not to express their sentiments at once, and they probably believe, that by an apparent indifference they may ob- | lain an offer of a higher rate of pay. With reference to the particular line of road I have recommended, the Natives seem disappointed, that it does not pass through their settlements ; but when the difficulties of crossing the Waikato and Waipa rivers, and the Waipa range of mountains which would in that case be necessary, were explained to them, they said, that although the route I had pointed out was the most direct to Wellington, and was the best for horses and carts, it would be too lonely for them to travel on. It is to be regretted, that a line to combine the advantages of being the most direct, and at the same time passing through the present most densely populated districts, could not be obtained. The road 1 have proposed will strike four navigable branches of the Waikato, and thus render it available for the Waikato tribes, and will be the direct means of communication for the MataMata tribes, with Auckland, which the other line would cut off. At present, the Natives of the Waikato district reside only on tlip borders of the river, but it may be expected that they j will move towards the road when the country is opened by it. I found that the head Chief, Te Whero Whoro, and the other men of influence, have determined to give \ip their tapus and sacred places, should they be required by the Government to do so for the purposes of the road. This, to them, is a great sacrifice, and proves their good will towards the Government, and a progress towards the adoption of our customs. I had intended to visit this Chief (Te Whero Whero) at his own place, but met him on the river as he was proceeding to Auckland to visit the Governor. He is of opinion, that the Natives will only like to work on such parts of the line of road as pass through their own land, and that one tribe will not be disposed to be employed on a part of the road which might pass through the land of another. This is an opinion generally entertained ; and to prevent the possibility of any difficulties of such a nature arising at a future time, 1 would suggest, that the land on either side of the road might be purchased from the Natives, and leased for cattle stations, until an increased population should render it necessary to sell it again for agricultural purposes, for which it is in general well adapted. In connexion with the contemplated road, it miy be interesting to state, that the Coal district which has been discovered, approaches within two miles of the line, and it is probable that it may yet be found nearer to it. I examined the two places where the coal crops out, and found the seam to be six feet thick, and of good quality. One of these places is within three hundred yards of the Waikato, and the seam is there elevated two hundred feet above the river. Judging from the other places where the coal is also found, and from the formation of the country, I have no doubt but that coal will, ultimately, be found to extend over one hundred square miles of the Valley of the Waikato, noith of Kaitctihe. I forward herewith some of the coal, and such specimens of the strata above and below it, as the Natives left me, after pilfering the parcel they were contained in, under an impression that I was carrying away something containing gold or silver. The cultivations of the Natives have improved in neatness ; and a greater amount of land lias been brought under cultivation, by the use of spades and other Emopean tools, than was formerly the case. Since the law prohibiting the sale of gunpowder and fire arms has been passed, the Natives have expended more of their money in agricultural implements and clothing ; they have now an abundance of blankets, and I saw no one, not even a slave, unprovided with them— whereas, some of them formerly were nearly naked, having nothing but an old mat to cover themselves with, even in the coldest nights. They are decidedly improving in their circumstances, and their disposition towards the Government could not be more friendly. They repeatedly say, that if all the people of New Zealand were to rise against the Europeans, the Waikato tribes would remain firm in their friendship, and if wanted would fight for them. At Whangape, when I was speaking of the line of road, an influential Native got up and asked me, why I did not go to the Ngatipo, and settle the war which had been raging there for so long a time, before making the , roads, for if that were not ended they would be all dead soon, and the roads would then be of no use. I replied, that the Ngatipo were, I thought, too hard to come to terms, and as they were so angry and dark on the occasion of my former visit, I should not go to them again. If they desired peace they should say so, and do as their

enemies, the Ngatitipa, had done, and give up their claim to the piece of land in dispute. From the earnestness of the speaker, I was led to think there might be some hope of this long pending question being arranged, and I set off for the place without delay, and had the satisfaction to find Te Uira (Lightning) was disposed to come to terms with the Ngatipo. Uira, and the other principal men, then signed a document to abide by the decision of the Governor ; and, at my suggestion, the boundaries were to be arranged according to the following plan :— the last battle -field to be taken as a centre, from which I should measure equal distance down the i ivei into the Ngatitipa country, and up the river into theirs, and then draw straight lines at the back and sides of the block, having the river in front. They wished, at first, to make the graves of Chiefs who fell on either side at the late battle, the boundary marks, and then to run the boundary crooked, so as to keep as many of the little disputed places as they could. Every spot of ground is associated with some particular deed connected with their many engagements and triumphs. One is sacred because a man of rank fell there ; another, because it is the place he is buiied in ; and another is named to commemorate tlue place where they eat their enemies. The history of these places is handed down from father to son, and the retaining of them in their possession, has become more dear to them than life. The extent of the disputed land is not more than five hundred acres, and is not valued for any particular pro- j duction ; but their honor is so implicated in maintaining their respective claims, that one party would rather all be killed than submit to see it possessed by the other. They have each a hundred and fifty square miles of land, equally good, adjoining it ; and yet have fought for this spot, with unabated fuiy, for the last eighteen years, during which time the two tribes have been greatly depopulated. After signing the paper, which I enclose, Uira agreed to accompany me to Auckland, to , have the war ended for ever, as he said. | During my visit to him, I was assisted most ably by Mr. Ashwel], of the Church Mission, who, with the j Rev. Messrs. Maunsell and Buddie, has been most 'anxiously engaged in doing every thing to put an end to this warfare, both before, and since, the interposition of His Excellency the Governor, in June last, when the Chiefs of both tribes had their meeting at Government House. I also enclose a copy of my Journal during the time I have been absent ; and, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, • C. W. Ligau, Surveyor-General. The Honorable Tiie Colonial Secrctaryr