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Historical Records of New Zealand South

Exaggerated Notions Of The South

Exaggerated Notions Of The South.

In Parliamentary Committee of 1838 we get the following:—"Mr J. B. Montefoire: I think the character of the natives in the south is less intelligent than those of the north. That may arise from their non-intercourse with Europeans. I do not think they would understand the nature of a bargain for the sale of their lands as well as the people in the north. The capabilities for colonisation of the northern parts of the Southern Island are very good, but not the southern part of that island. That part, I should think, was very bleak and cold, and not fit for settlement purposes. It is very mountainous country, a range of mountains running through the entire island. The people are not apparently of the same race, but they are similar in their habits."

Mr Herman Merivale, Permanent Under-secretary to the Colonies, in Parliamentary documents, 1835-38: "The Middle Island, as I understand, the slight rights the natives ever had, have been all but extinguished, so that the available land is practically unlimited.

In a MS. communication to the Governor of New South Wales (Sydney Record office), dated April 6, 1832, the writer says:—"I made strict inquiries as to European settlement in the south. The mate of the schooner in which I sailed to New Zealand had formerly lived two years in the South Island, and had frequently visited the fine bays as far south as Foveaux Strait for the purpose of buying flax and pork. He told me there were Europeans located all along the coast, and that their numbers were rapidly increasing. In the bays west of the strait a considerable number of timber gangs were located. The principal pursuit in these bays, however, was carried on by sealers and sealing gangs."