MAP OF WAITARA, DRAWN BY ROPOAMA TE ONE.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1863 Session I, E-23

E.—No. 23.

MAP OF WAITARA, DRAWN BY ROPOAMA TE ONE.

Return to an Order of the House of Representaives, dated 24th November, 1863.]

" That there be laid upon the Table a copy of a Map of Waitara. drawn by the Chief Eopoama *' To One, and forwarded to the Government by Mr. Mackay, Assistant Native Secretary, " together with any correspondence regarding it wliieh may not yet Lave been laid upon the " Table of the Howe."

(Mr. Weld.)

AUCKLAND: 1803.

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No. 1. JAMES MAC'KAY, JUN., TO THE NATIVE SECRETARY, AUCKLAND. Assistant Native Secretary's Office, Collingwood, 20th June, 1861. SiK,— I have the honor to inform you that on the 7th May last, when travelling from Collingwood in company with the Rev. Henry Halcombe, of Collingwood, and Mr. Winfield Biggin, Inspector of Roads for this District, I observed Eopoama Te One, Rei Nganiho, Ropata Whitikau, Rawiri Watino, Erueia Tatana, Te Keha and other chiefs and people of the Ngatiawa tribe assembled on the beacli near to the native pah at Pariwhakaoho, and on approaching them I found that Ropoama Te One had drawn on the sand a plan of the disputed land at Waitara defining the portions belonging to himself, Te Teira, and Wiremu Kingi Rangitake respectively. The positions of the various pahs were also indicated by small enclosures made of pieces of split flax stalks. As the Ngatiawa present seemed to be of opinion that Ropoama's sketch was correct, I got him to explain it to me, and then copied it into my note-book. As it is possible it may be of some slight importance, I do myself the honor to enclose herewith a copy of it. The names of the pahs are as Ropoama gave them to me, as I am {perfectly ignorant of that locality, never having visited Waitara. The plan was not drawn by Ropoama at my request, nor did I know of his intention to make it, it having been completed before my arrival. And to satisfy the Government that my seeing it was merely accidental, I shall place myself in communication with the Rev. H. Halcombe and Mr. Higgin on the subject, and furnish you with copies of the correspondence. My reason for being thus particular is, that in my opinion there is more reliance to be placed on the plan from its having lieen drawn by the Natives themselves and for their own information and amusement than if it had I it-en drawn for, or at the request of an Officer of the Native Department. 1 have, ifcc, James Mackay, Jun., Assistant Native Secretary. The Native Secretary, Auckland.

Enclosure 1 to No. 1. JAMES MACKAY, JUN., TO THE KEV. H. HALCOMBE, COLLINGWOOD. Assistant Native Secretary's Office, Collingwood, 20th June, 1861. SiK, I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to furnish auswers to the following questions : —■ Do you recollect travelling to Takaka on the 7th May last, in company with Mr. Winfield Higgin and myself 1

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE MAP OF WAITARA, DRAWN BY ROPOAMA TE ONE.

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On passing Pariwhakaoho Pah did you observe any Natives on the beach ; and had they made any sketch or plan of land on it ? Do you remember my coming from a whare in the Pa and finding yourself and Mr. Higgin tanding near the assembled Natives % Do you remember Mr. Higgin saying the Natives had drawn a plan of the land at Waitara I Did you notice me speaking to the Natives about the sketch they had made ; and my saying to yourself and Mr. Higgin that it was apian of the disputed land at Waitara ? Are you aware whether T remained behind sketching the Native plan into my note-book when yourself and Mr. Higgin weut on to Walker's house ? Your answers to the above queries will confer a great obligation on me. As they may be of some little importance, I trust you will be very particular as to the correctness of them. I have, &c, James Mackay, Jun., Assistant Native Secretary. The Rev. H. Halcombe, Collingwood.

Enclosure 2 to No. 1. THE RET. II. HALCOMBE TO .1 AMES MACKAV, JLX. The Parsonage, Collingwood, June 20th, 1861. My Dear Sir, — With respect to the queries contained in your letter of to-day's date, I have to answer. 1. That I perfectly recollect travelling to Takaka on the 7th May with Mr. Winfield Higgin and yourself. 2. That, on arriving at Pariwhakaoho Pah, I observed a number of Natives sitting on the beach surrounding a sketch or plan of land traced upon it, which an old Native seemed to be explaining. 3. You had preceded Mr. Higgin and myself to the Pah; and on our coming up, you came out from a whai'e in the Pah adjoining us, as we were standing by the circle of Natives. 4. I remember Mr. Higgin saying, I think in answer to a question from me, that the Natives had drawn a plan of the land and fortification at the seat of war ; and 1 also recollect his telling a Native whom we met at Parimahoi that the Natives were having a " korero about the war," and had got a plan of the ground upon the beach. 5. I recollect noticing that you entered into conversation with the Natives about the plan ; but my memory is not quite clear as to the name of the place to which you said it applied, but it probably was Waitara : at all events, I recollect your stating it had to do with the Taranaki disputes. 6. When Mr. Higgin and myself proceeded towards Walker's house, you remained behind, joining us again just after we reached Walker's, but I cannot say whether or not you were copying the Native plan, though I believe that when we separated you had your note-book in your hand. I am, &c, Henry Halcombe, B.A., Curate of Golden Bay. James Mackay, Juu., Esq., Assistant Native Secretary.

No. 2. ACTINU NATIVE SECRETARY TO THE ASSISTANT NATIVE BZOBXTABT, C0IJ.IVC.WO01>. Native Secretary's Office, Auckland, August 31st, 1861. Sik,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th June last, enclosing copy of a sketch made by Ropoama Te One, showing the portions of the disputed land at Waitara. belonging to himself, Te Teira, and Wiremu Kingi respectively ; also a copy of a letter addressed by you to the Reverend H. Halcombe, with that gentleman's reply, and to inform you that your communication has been duly laid before the Governor. I am directed to convey to you the thanks of His Excellency, for the pains taken by you in obtaining for the Government the valuable corroborative testimony to the justice of the claims of those who sold the Waitara block, which is contained in your letter with its enclosures. I have, &c, Thomas H. Smith, Acting Native Secretary. James Mackay, Jun., Esq., Assistant Native Secretary, Collingwood.

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

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I ',rh Supra

No. 3. COPY OF DESPATCH FROM flOVEHNOR T. OOEE BROWNE, C.B., TO ills i.R.\rK Tin: DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, K.u. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 31st July, 1801. Mv Lord Duke, — I have the honor to forward a Report from Mr. Mackay, Assistant Native Secretary at Collingwood, in the Province of Nelson. It appears that this gentleman, while travelling, saw a plan >>t tin- land purchased at the Waitara, sketched in the sand by Ropoama and other Natives, the former of whom is the most important chief of the Ngatiawa Tribe. The plan indicated clearly where Win. King's patches of land are situated, and seems to have been approved by the whole party. Mr. Mackay having no knowledge himself of the Waitara, copied the plan and sent it to tinNative Secretary, in order that the independent and disinterested evidence of an important section of the Ngatiawas might be compared with that which had been previously received. A Copy of this plan, and the one made by the Government Surveyors on the land are attached, by which your Grace will see that the two correspond, and thai the portions of land belonging to Win. King have been excluded from the purchase. The evidence in this case is thoroughly impartial, the Rev. Henry Halcombe being brother-in-law to Mr. Fox. I have, itc, T. Gore Browne. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., <fec, Ac., ic.

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MAP OF WAITARA.