F—No. 3

26

CHARGE PREFERRED BY DR. FEATHERSTON

Mr. Parris. 15th Aug., 1861

The Chairman referred to the Minute of the 6th August, which is as follows:—"The Chairman informed Dr. Featherston it was the wish of the Committee that he should, if he wished, be present during Mr. Richmond's examination, and that of the Witnesses." " Dr. Featherston replied he did not desire it, but would, if the Committee wished it." The Chairman stated that he considered that the Committee had taken no action which expressed its wish that Dr. Featherston should cross-examine Witnesses, unless at his own desire. Mr. Fitzherbert objected to the term used by the Chairman, viz., " That Dr. Featherston should be permitted to examine Mr. Parris." Mr. Fitzherbert's recollection is that Dr. Featherston was unwilling to attend at the examination of Mr. Parris, but consented on being pressed. Examination resumed. 123. Dr. Feathesrton.] Are not the sentiments contained in that letter very much the same as those which William King repeatedly expressed both verbally and in writing, during the recent negotiations for the purchase of a block of land at Waitara ?—They are very similar, I grant, but they could not have the same effect as at the time the letter was written, inasmuch as the claimants referred to by Wm. King in his letter, were then (in 1844) opposed to the sale of the land, and are no doubt the natives who have now sold it; for at that time Rawiri, Raupongo, and Roppama were living at Arapawa (in Queen Charlotte's Sound) Tamati Raru and other claimants were living at Waikanae with William King and his people. 124. William King in that letter asserts the right of himself and people to the Waitara, and declares their determination never to permit its alienation ; did he not use precisely the same language during the negotiations for Teira's land ?—Yes, for himself only. 125. I place before you a letter of the Ist September, 1855, addressed by Major Nugent to the Major of Brigade. See pages 12 & 13—[Letter read.] Have you seen that letter before, if so, how long since ?—I never saw this letter before. I heard of it. I took Major Nugent the information that the natives were talking of going to the Bush, and accompanied Major Nugent and the Bishop to the Wiatara. 126. Major|Nugent says that the articles in the Taranaki Herald " do not disguise the wish of some of the writers in that paper to drive Wm. King and his people from the Waitara"; do you think there was any foundation for the charge?—l do not know. 127. Major Nugent also says, " I think for the present the Natives are reassured, but I cannot answer for the continuance of tranquillity between the races as long as such inflammatory articles are published in the newspapers, in which people of much local influence do not disguise their wishes to seize upon the land of the Natives"; do you consider that there was any foundation for that charge?— Ido not believe the Settlers have ever wished to seize the land of the Natives, but were desirous to obtain it by fair and lawful means. 128. You have heard read the charges preferred by Wm. King in his speech (a copy of which wa» enclosed in Major Nugent's letter Ist September, 1855. See pages 12 & 13,) against Mr. Turton, and also against the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Taranaki ; do you consider that there was any foundation for this charge ?—I do not know. 129. Were you yourself aware of the existence of this feeling on the part of some of the Taranaki settlers? —No. 130. Do you know who the writers of leading articles in the Taranaki Herald were at the time referred to by Major Nugent, or who was the Editor of the paper?—l do not remember. 131. Governor Browne in his Memorandum enclosed in his Despatch to the Secretary of State (dated the 19th November, 1855) repeats the charge preferred against certain Taranaki Settlers by Major Nugent in the following words:—" Since that time various portions of land have been acquired by purchase, but there is still a deficiency, and although the greater part, and all the most respectable Settlers have abstained from expressing discontent, individuals have from time to time, in conversation, by letters, in the newspapers and otherwise, shown a strong desire to expel the Natives and take possession-of the lands, to which they consider themselves entitled in right of the New Zealand Company's original purchase"; can you state to the Committee the particular circumstances which induced Governor Browne to reiterate such a charge ?—I can not ; I would state there was always a strong desire to obtain land by purchase, that there were two parties of Natives contending among themselves about the same question. The majority of the resident Natives, since the year 1854, have been anxious to alienate their lands, the minority being supported by disinterested tribes having no interest in the land, to the very great annoyance of the Settlers, whose properties have on many • occasions been endangered by Natives coming from other parts supporting the opposition, quarrelling and fighting close to the Settlers' homesteads. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, the Committee adjourned until Saturday at 10T5a.m.

Friday, 16th August, 1861. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.