TARANAKI.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 100, 1 May 1847, Page 2 (Supplement)

TARANAKI.

[From the Nelson Examiner, March 13.]

Ills Excellency Governor Grey, accompanied by Mr. Thatcher, his secretary, Colonel Wakefield, Mr, Domett, M. C., and Mr. Crawford, arrived at this settlement on the 20th Fob , in H.M. war-steamer Inflexible, in fifty hours from-Wellington, twenty of which were occupied at Waikauae.. On landing, the Governor was saluted from the battery bn shore amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the settlers. There were very few natives on the beach. . On the following day his Excellency visited Waitara. On the Ist instant, the deputation of settlers consistini* of MessrsrHalse (chairman), Cutfield, Cook, Flight O/Brown, Gledhill, and-Chillman, were received by his Excellency, who gave'every attention to the different subjects referred to him. The Governor stated that the title to laud was the great question, and that everything else was based on it. In no other part ot the colony had he found it so encircled by difficulties- On the one hand, Mr. Spain had awarded 'in favour of the company, and had always since relied on the justice of that decision. Captain Fitzßoy had exercised an undoubted- right to revise the award, but he had given to the Home Government no reason whatever for so doing, and liis Excellency could find amongst his predecessor’s documents no record of his motives. -The Government hkd therefore referred to him'(Captain Grey) for informatiori, and it > was with' a view to save the- twelve raonths : that must be lost by communication;, and to set the question at rest for the sake-of-the settlers, that he had now come to carry out an arrangement of his own He intcncled to adopt so much of Spam’s award as to Consider that the natives had alienated their lands, and so much of Captain Fitzßoy’s revisal of ' it as to pay for what he should take in extension of the present block of 3,800 acres, at the same time he guarded himself by treating doubtful any right of the natives to emnpeusation. He could acquire not merely the 63,000 acres in addition for the Government, making in all 80 000 or 90,000 acres, and he would i elect that further extent ol laud around the Company’s blocli.— The Government-land would be disposed of by public auction in the settlement, and one half ol the proceeds applied in the construction and repair of roads and bridges. He did not contemplate any interference, with the natives in their-pahs and present cultivations, but he would reject the.ieservcsmade.fpr'them and setapart blocks of land for the different tribes that they might live by themselves." His plan of payment would extend over four or five years. The’Governor intended toxom- 1 municate his resolution to the different tribes that there I might be no mistake, and if they offered any obstacle, be would enquire into their very doubtful titles, and dispose of them accordingly. He was resolved-to have the land, and trusted that the natives would sec the advantageous nature of his terms. To the second object his Excellency stated that he saw the necessity of maintaining the boat establishment; the boats would therefore be kept in good repair, and conducted as heretofore for the benefit of the settlement. He thought we were better without moorings, from the difficulty which must occur once in every year in raising and repairing them i He promised to get the roadstead surveyed, it on'officer could be detached from any of her Majesty’s ships for that purposeand he considered it ,not improbable that a surveying ship might be sent from England to survey the coast ofNcw Zealand, His Excellency was then asked if.thc Government, ytould ..contribute any sum towards the constructing of a.boat jetty, , but, as the deputation were not provided with any estimate, the subject was waived for the present. -The . recommended in answer to the third, question that the operation of the Cattle Trespass Ordinance should be deferred until he had arranged the land ques-' ition, as there would be difficulty, in now deciding the boundaries. The subject,of licenses for cattle- runs was deferred for the same reason., The Governor desired the deputation to write to him on the fourth subject, having reference to the formation of local courts for civil and criminal matters, the want of which was fe;t by the settlers. Roads , and bridges formed the last question submitted to his Excellency. He hoped,.with respect to roads, to raise a fund from the sale of Crown lauds to enable him to assist the settlers, as to present roads and bridges, estimates must be laid before him of the expense.of repairing them as well as of erecting new bridges. The deputation then thanked, his Excellency for the attention he had given to the various sub-, jeets and withdrew. The Governor then received the natives from Ngamotu, Huatoki, and Waiwaikaiho, as well as those of Wellington and Waikanae, who were brought up in the steamer. Amongst the latter were Te Puni, Wiremu Taku, Wiremu King, &c. The subject of their speeches may be expressed in a few words. The natives wished to abide By Captain Fitzßoy’s decision, and retain their land. The Governor explained the arrangement he intended to carry put, and as they had thought,proper to show a disinclination to accept his offer, which was made with, a sincere wish for their welfare, he would institute a rigid enquiry into their claims, and they would lose the benefit of his kindness. He also stated his opinion that they had no claim to the laud, and that his offer of compensation was an act of grace, not a matter of right. , In the evening a public meeting by adjournment was held, when the different members of the deputation stated the result of their interview with his Excellency, which was very gratifying to the settlers. On the following morning the Pukatapu natives, to the number of 200, met his Excellency. This tribe has always been conspicuous for its aggressions on the settlers 5 and from the time that Capt. Fitzßoy unfortunately meddled with the land question, there was little reason to anticipate.that anything short of coerciv measures would ever .hend.thesc lawless people to our rule. _ Few natives spoke, but they represented the tribe, and refused to part with their land, or allow the few remaining settlers to remain outside Cant. Fitz Roy’s block unless compensation was given. To Mr. Cook’s land there were 40 claimants, and to Mr. Flight’s <2oo*! The Governor treated these natives in.a becoming ■manner ; Said he would not allow an outsettler to be molested whether he had a title or not, until the native claims had been investigated ; and threw out the greatest doubts on their justice. His opinion was, and it was several times repeated to thein, that they had no claims, and the Governor more than oricc twitted them oh tlie conquest of the district some years since by the Waikatos, whose claims on that ground had been purchased by the Government. This allusion, was very disagreeable to Giem, and they left his Excellency without any alteration in their minds. The Governor’s firmness and admirable manner took them by surprise, and; may liave a beneficial result, but these natives seem almost too bad for hops. ■ On Wednesday the Ngamotu, Huatoki and Waiwaikaiho natives again waited on his Excellency by heir own desire. The firm policy of the Governor was

evinced by their altered tone since the previous Monday, lor this morning, after many inquiries, they came over to the Governor's views, and surrendered all their Inna between the Sugar Loaves and Waiwalkaiho; within these boundaries is also the siriall bldck of 8,800 acres. The only dissentient native was William King, who had been brought up in the steamer from Waikanae to assist in the purchase of Waitara, but has been using his exertions to prevent an arrangement of the land-' ques=. tion throughout the district. He said he should return ,to .Waitara, and so should'the natives of. Waikanae, and Arapawa (Queen Charlotte’s Sound). The Governor reprimanded.him.for his.deceitful .conduct, and pro.nuacd him that if he did return with his followers to Waitara, he would find a strong party, of soldiers ready to escort them back again and that he would not allow the natives of the Soiind tt) crossthe Straits. - This chief seemed much discontented* and, as he is an obstinate fellow, it is not improbable he will abide by his resolution. „ Yesterday the Governor put one of our farmers (Mr. Smart) in possession ;of his suburban section at the Waiwaikaiho. ~ . His Excellency will go on board this afternoon (Fn ? day), and proceed to Nelson. Three days haying elapsed since the Pukatapii natives saw the Governor, but hey show no disposition to yield up their land. | !