TARANAKI. [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] March 5th, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 175, 3 April 1847, Page 3

TARANAKI. [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT. ] March sth, 1847.

His Excellency Governor Grey, accompanied by Mr. Thatcher, his secretary, Colonel Wakefield, Mr. Domett, M. C, and Mr. Crawford, arrived at this settlement on the 26th| February, in H. M. war steamer InfiexibZQNfc fifty hours from Wellington, twenty of whicnwere occupied at Waikanae. On landing, the Governor was saluted from the battery on shore amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the settlers. There were very few natives on the beach. On the following day, his Excellency visited \\ aitara. On the Ist instant, the deputation of settlers, consisting of Messrs. Halse (chairman), Cutiield, Cooke, Flight, C. Brown, Gledhill, and Chilman, were received by his Excellency, who gave every attention to the different subjects referred to him. The Governor stated that the title to land was the great question, and that everything else was based on it. In no other part of the colony had he found it so eucircled 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 the Home Government no reason whatever for so doing, and his Excellency could find amongst his predecessor's documents no record of his motives. The Government had therefore referred to him (Captain Grey) for information, and it was with a view to save the twelve months 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 intended to adopt so much of Mr. Spain'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 3800 acres ; at the same

time he guarded himself by treating as doubtful any right of ihe natives to compensation. He should acquire not merely the j63,000 acres claimed by the. Company under the award, , but 20,000 or 30,000 acres jn addition for the Government, making in all 80,000 or 90,000 acres, and he would select that further extent of land around the Company's block. The Government land would be disposed of by pub(lic auction in the settlement,' and one-balf of the proceeds applied in the construction and Tepair of roads and bridges. He did not contemplate any interference with the natives in ' their pas and present cultivations, but he would ' reject the reserves made for them, and set apart 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 to communicate his resolution to the different tribes that there might be no mistake, and, if they offered any obstacle, he 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 see the advantageous nature of his terms. To the second subject 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 thediffi- 1 cuky which must occur once in every yeac in raising and repairing them. He promised to get the roadstead surveyed if an officer could be detached from any of her Majesty's ships for that purpose; and he considered4t.not improbable that a surveying ship might be sent from Engknd .to survey the % coast of New Zealand. His -Excellency was then asked if the Government would cc ntribute any sum towards the construction of a boat-jetty, but, as the deputation were not provided with any estimate, the subject was waivodror the present. The Governor recommended, in answer to the, ■ third question, that the operation of the Cattle,' ' Trespass Ordinance should be deferred until he had arranged the land question, 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 felt 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 lands 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 subjects, and withdrew. The Governor then received the natives from Ngamotu, Huatoki, and Waiwaikaiho, as well as" those from Wellington and Waikanae, who were brought up in the steamer. Amongst the latter were Te Puni, Wiremu Tako, William 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 out, 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 inquiry intcmmr claims, and they would lose the benefit ofnis kindness. He also stated his opinion that they had no claim to the land, 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 ; and from the time that Captain Fitzßoy unfortunately meddled with the land question, there .was little reason to anticipate that anything short of coercive measures would ever bend these lawless people to our rule. Few natives spoke,' but they represented the tribe, anl refused to part with their land, or allow the few remaining settlers to remain outside Captain Fitzroy's block, unless compensation was given. To Mr. Cooke's land there were 40 claimants, and to Mr. Flight's 200 ! 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 ou their justice. His opinion was, and it was several times repeated to them, that they had no claims, and the Governor more than once twitted them on the conquest of the district someyears since by the Waikatos, whose claim on that ground had been purchased by the Government. This allusion was very disagreeable to them, and they left

his Excellency without any alteration in their minds. The Governor's firmness and admirable manner took them by surprise, and may have a beneficial result, but these natives are almost too bad for hope. On Wednesday the Ngamotu, Huatoki, and Waiwaikaiho natives again waited on his Excellency by their own desire. The firm policy of the Governor was evinced by their altered tone since the previous Monday ; for this morning, after many inquiries, they came over to the Governor's views, and surrendered all their land between the Sugar Loaves and Waiwaikaiho 4 within these boundaries is also the small block of 3800 acres. The only dissentient native was William King, who had been brought up in the steamer from Waikanae to assist in the pur-chase of Waitara, but has been using his exertions to prevent an arrangement of the land question 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 promised him 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 ihe would not allow the natives of the Sound to cro9s the Strait. 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 (Friday), and proceed to Nelson. Three days have elapsed since the Pukatapu natives saw the Governor, but they show no disposition to yield up their land.