E—No. 1

GOVERNORS OF NEW ZEALAND. God said, " Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth." When will this land be filled by you ? If it had been filled by you, Providence would not have allowed other nations to settle among you. Thousands of years have passed and your land is not yet filled. It was filled indeed formerly —filled with evil and covered with blood, therefore Providence hath sent a nation to mix with and live among you, to dwell on the face of the earth, to teach and improve you. Providence has also set a bound to their habitation. We are all of one blood, we have all one common Father, and it was our nation that brought you the Gospel and taught you to live in peace, and it is the English who would raise you in the scale of being. Therefore, why do you wish to turn them away? Rather be kind to them, and consider England, as your parent and the English as your friends and relations. Remember also those of your own people who were taken captive to Waikato and have not returned : let their estates remain quiet, let no man interfere with them, so that when they return they may occupy if they choose, or sell them to the Europeans. One more word and I have done. Look to the 6th of Romans, " The wages of sin is death." Now take care you do not seek death by doing wrong : remember it is said " Be sure your sin will find you out," and the Governor has told you that he has power to punish offences. Therefore, I say, live peaceably with the Europeans, and let your actions all be just, that we be not afraid of the judgment day." — [Published in the " Maori Messenger" for September, 1844 ]

governors' decisions.

Governor Fitzroy's Visit. Official Report.

XVI. EXTRACT FROM MEMORANDUM BY GOVERNOR FITZROY, DATED 2nd DECEMBER, 1844. At this time all the families of the Ngatiawa tribe, one of the largest in New Zealand, were scattered along the coast between Otaki, Porirua and Petoni, or on the northern shores of the Middle Island, or were in captivity among the Waikato, who had lately invaded and desolated the Taranaki and Waitara country ; and these beautiful districts, excelling in soil, climate, abundance of wood and water, level country, and the best flax (lihore), were temporarily depopulated. But although they were thus almost without inhabitants at the time of the Company's supposed purchase of the whole country near Taranaki and the Waitara, they were neither wholly deserted nor permanently abandoned, as the presence of a small remnant of the Ngatiawa tribe at Ngamotu proves. These districts were not occupied or settled in any way by the Waikato, who merely overran them, and then immediately retired to their own country, without cultivating the soil or constructing dwellings. Nevertheless, as the Waikato claimed to be the conquerors of the Waitara and Taranaki. country, and were not only nearer at hand, but much more formidable than the dispersed Ngatiawa, it was thought advisable to make a considerable payment to the principal chief of that powerful tribe, in consideration of his claim on behalf of the Waikato generally. At the time of the desolating invasion above mentioned, by far the greater number of the Ngatiawa, with their principal men, were absent on a hostile excursion on the South. Those who suffered by death or captivity were an inferior minority. * * * Mr. Spain's award was made known in the middle of June, and on the 3rd of August a large meeting of English and Natives were assembled at New Plymouth to hear the final decision. The Governor informed the assembly that he did not take the same view of the question as Mr. Commissioner Spain, and that he should not confirm the award of that gentleman, however carefully and conscientiously it had been weighed and delivered. On points of law, especially the Maw of New Zealand, considered with reference to national laws in general, authorities might differ without prejudice to the opinion of either, but it was for him, the Governor, to decide. He would immediately cause further investigation to be made, as to the various claimants to particular portions of land. He would then endeavour to make special arrangements with those claimants, and he would allow, in all their integrity, the claims of those of the Ngatiawa tribe who were not parties to the sale in 1840. [In Sess. Pap. Gen. Assembly, 1860, E. No. 2.] '

Memorandum of Governor Fitzroy, 2 Dec, 1844.

XVII,—EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF MR. PROTECTOR KEMP TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SOUTHERN DIVISION, DATED WELLINGTON, 17TH SEPTEMBER, 1845. I beg to hand you the translation of a letter from some of the Chiefs living at Waikanae, (the Ngatiawa). You will perceive that a portion of them are desirous of returning to Taranaki, and propose to sell the lands they respectively hold. As Ido not anticipate any negociation of this kind with the Government, I shall refrain from entering fully on this subject further than by remarking that the claim appears to be of a doubtful character : that the whole of the tribe have not yet consented to remove, as it is uncertain whether the Ngatimaniapoto at Waikato will allow them to resume the territories they were many years ago obliged to surrender : and lastly but particularly., I was desired by Te Rauparaha not to recommend their claim as valid. H. T. Kemp, Protector Aborigines.

Protector Kemp, 17 Sept. 1845.