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Native Land Claims.

Prior to 1836, tracts of land had been acquired throughout New Zealand, north and south, for timber purposes. In that year these and other parties petitioned King William IV, praying for the extension of British protection to the islands. In 1837 Lord Glenelg called attention to the subject in the House of Lords. The proposal was favourably discussed, and it became apparent steps in that direction would shortly be taken. At that time Sydney merchants and capitalists were largely embarked in the trade of southern New Zealand, timber and flax, as well as fisheries. No sooner was the result of the parliamentary debate known than these parties set about extending their operations, and furbishing up old and imaginary claims, principally in the South Island. In furtherance thereof, they strained every effort to obtain native rights, in the land. To sanction the operations of the New Zealand Company, a Bill was, in 1837, introduced into Parliament, but on an assurance from Government, measures in that direction would be introduced, the Bill was withdrawn. Meantime the speculation in land went on. The consideration therefor was admittedly inadequate. One Captain Rhodes is complained against by the Rev. Mr Williams. The land alleged to have been acquired by him is said to have extended a distance of 160 miles along the coast of the North Island, and, as far in to the interior as he might think convenient. The price paid was stated to be £160—blankets, tobacco, pipes, muskets, gunpowder, lead and bullets, being the articles in which the consideration was paid. The following are quoted as examples, of the extravagant nature of these claims:—

Weller, Sydney	3,557,000 acres
Catlin and Company, ditto	7.000.000 acres
J. Jones, Sydney	1,930,000 acres
— Peacock	1,450,000 acres
G. Green	1,377,000 acres
Guard and Company	1,280,000 acres
Wentworth, New South Wales	20,000000 acres
New Zealand Company	20,000000 acres

Some of these alleged purchases, represented as much as 500 acres, for which a sum, not exceeding one penny, was alleged to have been paid.

In a despatch from Lord Goderick to the Governor of New South Wales, dated January, 1832, he writes:—It is impossible to read without shame and indignation the details disclosed by these transactions. Unless some decisive measure of protection is afforded, New Zealand natives will fall to be added to the number of the barbarous tribes fallen sacrifice to their intercourse with civilised man; by whom the very name of Christianity is disgraced.

Native Commissioner Alexander Mackay, reported on these claims:—Prior to Great Britain assuming the Sovereignty of New Zealand numerous parties claimed to have purchased large tracts of land from the native chiefs. Some of these purchases had been made, long prior to that date, whilst others had been made in a hurried manner, subsequently to its being known New Zealand was to be formed into a British colony. At the time the land fever in its different phases of sharking, jobbing, and bona fide speculation, literally raged in New Zealand. Almost every captain of a ship, on arriving at Sydney from. New Zealand, exhibited a piece of paper with a tatooed native head rudely drawn on it, which he described as the title-deed of an estate, bought for a few muskets, hatchets, or blankets. Other captains were literally supplied in Sydney with blank deeds of "Feoffment," for use in these purchases, and as the Government had a fixed price, of 5s and afterwards 12s per acre on page 91land in Australia, adventurers crowded to New Zealand, hoping there, under cover of the Declaration of Independence, 1835, to pursue their schemes with impunity. He adds in illustration:—One company of four claimants claimed the Middle Island, excepting what had been previously sold, in consideration of having given the chiefs a few hundred pounds in money, and a life annuity of £100 per annum.

[The story of this company is unique. It is told in a despatch from the Governor to the Home authorities, August 16, 1840:—In February last seven chiefs from the Middle Island visited Sydney. They were presented to me at Government House. They were each made a present of £10 10s; the Right of Sovereignty explained to them, and they were requested to sign a declaration similar to that of the North Island. They promised to do so, arranging to return the day after next. Not returning as promised, I caused inquiry to be made, and found they had been got at in the meantime, by certain Europeans—Wentworth and four others. These men got the natives to complete a transaction, of the whole of the undisposed of portions of the Middle Island; a sum of £200 in cash being paid as the purchase price; together with an annual payment of a like sum, so long as they lived.]

In Select Committee, 1838, J. S. Polack, afterwards author of a New Zealand history, stated:—There has been much noise about buying land. Some of the missionaries have been enabled, by their knowledge of the native language, to have had a better chance for purchasing the land than others. Those who, perhaps, have understood the language less, have been ousted out of the bargains they intended. Queen Charlotte Sound, in the Southern Island, Cloudy Bay, Otargo (Otago), and all down to the south-west, is inhabited by European gangs of whalers, or merchants resident in Sydney. On the South Island there are Europeans there for the last 35 years. What the natives call kou matus—that is, old men—have been living there on the coast for the last 40 years. They are principally sealers, lately whalers. Then, again, Polack had told the committee in 1837:—I have purchased their lands from them. They were well aware of the nature of the transaction. They would say: Now remember, you are going to get our land. It descended to us from our forefathers. Do not think to give us a mere trifle Give us that which we should have. See that stream, so let your payment be. It goes in various creeks, and so refreshes all the land. So must your payment refresh all concerned. Then, again, they would say: The things you give us are nothing like the value of the land. That lasts for ever, but what will become of our blankets? They will become sick or dead. What becomes of your tomahawks? They will be sick or dead. Glass and iron are brittle. You are going to steal our land from us. Your payment must be good to us. There is this tree. If one branch falls there will come another. It will remain to your children, but what will become of our children when these things are worn out? They have a full knowledge of the value of their lands.

In 1840, Sir George Gipps, Governor-in-Chief of New South Wales, issued a proclamation dated January 14th. After describing himself as Knight, Captain-General, and Governor-in-chief on and over her Majesty's Territory of New South Wales and its dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, etc., etc., it goes on:—Whereas her Majesty has been pleased by instructions under the hand of the most noble the Marquis of Normanby, one of her Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and bearing date the 14th day of August, 1839, to command that it shall be announced that she will not acknowledge as valid any title to land which either has been or shall be hereafter acquired from or confirmed by a grant to be made in her Majesty's name and on her behalf, page 92but that care shall be taken at the same time to dispel any apprehension that it is intended to dispossess the owners of any land acquired on equitable conditions, and not in extent, or otherwise prejudicial to the present or prospective interests of the community, to be investigated and reported on by Commissioners to be appointed by me, with such powers as may be conferred upon them, by an Act of the Governor and Council of New South Wales. Now I do hereby proclaim and declare that all purchases of land in any part of New Zealand, which may be made by any of her Majesty's subjects from any of the chiefs or tribes of these islands, after date hereof, will be considered as absolutely null and void, and will be neither confirmed nor in any way recognised by her Majesty.

A further order was made by the Governor-in-Council, appointing Commissioners to inquire and report on these claims. It was specially provided, no claim would be sustained for any area greater than 2560 acres; to sanction which it would be necessary to prove a reasonable consideration had been paid. The rates fixed were the following:—Between the years 1815 and 1824, 6d per acre; 1825 and 1829, 6d to 8d; 1830 and 1834, 8d to 1s; 1835 and 1836, 1s to 2s; 1837 and 1838, 2s to 4s; 1839, 4s to 8s.

By ordinance passed in the Legislative Council of New Zealand the above was repealed, and the Commission was reappointed; the above scale of payments re-adopted with trifling alterations. Major Richmond and Colonel Godfrey were appointed Commissioners.

So far as can now be ascertained, the following is a complete list of these claims, the consideration alleged to have been given; the dates on which alleged purchase were made, together with the localities in which the land is situated:—

Peter Williams, of Preservation Bay, 1,000,000 acres in Dusky Bay, all in one claim; acquired in 1829, for which £754 is alleged to have been paid. Beyond being filed, this claim was not prosecuted before the Commissioners. He claimed an area in Preservation, the acreage of which is not given. The latter was said to be acquired in 1832; the payment £225. It was sustained by the Commissioners to the full extent allowes—viz., 2560 acres, and a grant thereto issued, February 15, 1845. The grant was in 1853 surrendered to Commissioner Mantell, under an agreement with Governor Grey, to give £2560 scrip in exchange. About 1400 acres were selected by Williams and surveyed at Moeraki. Thereupon a dispute arose. Williams claimed right to select land to the extent of 2560 acres, but the Commissioner declined to admit that right, and offered a grant to 1000 acres in settlement of the claim, and, so far as known, the matter remains in abeyance.

George Green, 2000 acres in Bluff Harbour; purchased 1838; alleged payment, £20 10s. 20,000 acres, Stewart Island; £30. 20,000 acres Foveaux Straits; £15. 1,024,000 acres, West Coast, Middle Island, supposed to include Fiords from Preservation to Milford; £200 paid. These lapsed by the claimant not appearing before Commissioner Godfrey. Claimant was allowed to file his notification; his non-appearance being satisfactorily accounted for. The Stewart Island claim was not investigated; no evidence being produced except a deed of sale by Tuhawaiki. Grants were ordered to be issued to the claimant for 889 acres. That award was appealed against, but the appeal was not prosecuted. The awards were made up as follows:—On the 2000 acres claimed at the Bluff, 71 acres; 20,000 in Foveaux Straits, 71 acres; on the West Coast claim, 695 acres. An additional 52 was awarded at Bluff. The three small grants were subsequently surveyed, but, nothing was done with the other. In Sydney Records these claims are given as—Foveaux Straits, 57,600, acquired page 93in 1838, paid £50. The West Coast claim is enumerated as follows:—Mistaken Bay, George Green, of Sydney, 1,200,000 acres, acquired 1838, price £200. Then, again, Green claimed at Catling River. Area not stated. Acquired in 1840, £45 paid. Sydney Records state the area at 25,000 acres The island in Otago Harbour; alleged purchase 1840; £10 paid. The island here referred to is named Ahamataroa in Sydney Records. It is Quarantine Island, near Port Chalmers; 145 acres in Otago Harbour, purchased 1840; £10 paid. These three claims were disallowed; the alleged purchase having been made after the passing of the Act referred to above, and ratified by the then lately-appointed Governor of New Zealand.

Patrick Bryan, who was a large speculator in Canterbury native lands, claimed 12,000 acres at Jacob's River; alleged purchase 1838. No further particulars stated. Sydney Records describe him as Patrick Bryan, of Sydney, claiming 20,000 acres situated in Otakou; no further particulars.

John Black, a block at Jacob's River; alleged purchase 1838; no acreage or other particulars given. No appearance was made in support, and the claim was disallowed.

Edward Brady claimed 700 acres in Stewart Island; purchased in 1838 for £138. Grant for 90 acres made, December 30, 1844. Grant called in, but not produced. Sydney Records state Brady's claim at 20,000 acres in Otakou, but give no further particulars.

Carter and Brown claimed area in Stewart Island, acquired in 1838. No particulars. Disallowed.

Brown and Campbell, claimed at Bluff Harbour; acquired 1838, derived from James Bruce. No further particulars. Disallowed Another area in Bluff Harbour claimed, no particulars of which are stated. Disallowed, as claimant's agent declined to pay the fees. A third claim for area situated at the Molyneux, acquired in 1840, disallowed as being purchased subsequent to the passing of the Act, Sydney Records show that Brown and Company, of Sydney, claimed 100,000 acres situate Foveaux. Straits, acquired 1840. No further particulars.

J. Brown claimed 50,000 acres, acquired 1838, in Otakou; £64 10s paid. Not adjudicated upon.

James Bruce alleged two claims for land in Foveaux Straits, acquired 1838, of which no further particulars are given. Both were withdrawn. Two further claims were made for land in Otago, comprising two acres, acquired in 1838, upon which £17 were alleged to have been paid. The grant was allowed. Sydney Records state that the Foveaux Straits land comprised 12,000 acres, and was acquired in 1836, for which £30 was paid. He is described as of Sydney.

Bruce and Clark claimed 550 acres in Otago, acquired in 1838, for which £110 were paid. Grant for 550 acres issued December 30, 1844.

Edward Catlin claimed an area, acreage not stated, at Catlins Bay, acquired 1840, on which £92 5s alleged payment. A grant was issued for 230½ acres, December 30, 1844. Grant called in and cancelled, March 19, 1860. New grant ordered to be issued, when the land was laid off by the Assistant-Commissioner at Otago. In Sydney Records, E. Catlin and Co's total area is set down at 7,000,000 acres.

J. S. Clarke claimed an area; acreage not stated in Ruapuke, acquired 1838, on which £30 alleged to have been paid. Disallowed.

Joseph Dyer claimed 1600 acres at Jacob's River, acquired 1840, on which £20 alleged to have been paid. Disallowed; claim not preferred.

W. Harti claimed an area at Jacob's River; acreage not stated. Acquired in 1839. Disallowed.

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Hobblewith and Vickery, area at Jacobs. No further particulars. Disallowed.

Polynesian Company (John Hiskings, J. Hughes, and others) claimed areas at Bluff and New River, acquired 1839; upon which, in conjunction with a similar claim to land in Pelorus River, £1239 18s 6d alleged to have been paid. Both claims were disallowed. Another New River area claimed by this company, of which no particulars are given, was likewise disallowed. It is marked: Claims put in by remaining members of the society. A Foveaux Straits area, of which no particulars are given, would also appear to have been disallowed. The claim is marked: The payment of £1240 in October, 1839, would, according to the schedule computation being made (7s 4d per acre), entitle the claimants to 3382 acres. According to the rules with respect to the other land claimants, they would be entitled to scrip for £3382.

Thomas Jeffrey claimed 4000 acres at Jacob's River; acquired in 1838. Disallowed. No claim prosecuted.

John Janes lodged three separate claims for Waikouaiti. The acreage in not given Acquired in 1839; alleged payment £3957 15s. Awarded 2560 acres. Commissioners Godfrey and Richmond recommended 2560 acres. The case was referred to Commissioner Fitzgerald, who, in December 27, 1844, recommended a grant of 1000 acres. A grant was prepared, but not executed. Subsequently a grant was issued by Governor Grey for 2560 acres. A correspondence ensued between the claimant, Governor Sir George Grey, and the Native Commissioner, relative to the terms on which the grant was issued. Another area was claimed at Waikouaiti, acquired in 1838, on which £280 was alleged to have been paid. Also, an area at Molyneux, on which £200 was alleged to have been paid. What is named the "Islets," acquired in 1839, was also claimed, £130 being the alleged payment. The last three claims were withdrawn. Claimant sold one-half his rights to E. Wentworth and two-twelfths to Brown and Campbell. Sydney Records bear:—John Jones, Sydney, claims 100,000 acres in Foveaux Straits, acquired 1840; no payment stated. John Jones, Sydney, claims 1,880,000 acres situated in Otakou, acquired 1839, no price mentioned.

Thomas Jones claimed 256,000 acres at Molyneux, acquired in 1839. No further particulars given. Disallowed—claimant did not appear. An area of 25,600 acres at Toi-tois River, mouth of Mataura, also disallowed for a similar reason. 25,000 acres at Popomaina Bay, acquired 1839, disallowed, claimant not appearing. Notification filed under the Act. Opposition put in by Robertson and others, derivative from Jones. Directed to be investigated by the Assistant-Commissioner at Otago, April, 1862. Sydney Records state this claimant as Thomas Jones, of Sydney, 60,000 acres, situated in Otakou, acquired 1840; £27 paid. Thomas Jones, Sydney, 260,000 acres situate in Otakou. No further particulars.

A. Lamont claimed 1281 acres at the Molyneux, acquired in 1840, but disallowed.

J. H. Levein claimed an area at Jacob's River, acquired in 1825. Disallowed —claimant not appearing.

James Liddle claimed 1281 acres at Molyneux; acquired 1840. Disallowed —claim not prosecuted.

J. MacGibbon, area at Bluff; acreage not stated; acquired 1838; £14 paid. Grant for 72 acres issued, February 15, 1845. Grant called in and cancelled. New grant ordered to be issued.

A. MacIntyre claimed 1920 acres at Molyneux, acquired 1840. Disallowed —no claim preferred.

Charles Mitchell claimed area Jacob's River; acquired 1838. Disallowed.

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Isaac Moore claimed 240 acres in Stewart Island, acquired in 1838. £233 15s paid. Grant issued, February 15, 1845. Grant called in, but not produced. No claim preferred. In Sydney Records there is a claim stated thus:—Port Adventure, J. Moore, Sydney, 15,000 acres; acquired 1827. No further particulars.

Rolla O'Ferroll, area in Foveaux Straits; no particulars. Disallowed.

Edwin Palmer claimed area at Bluff, £140 1s paid. Grant recommended but not issued to E. Palmer for 260 acres. In Sydney Records he is described as residing in Foveaux Straits. The area claimed according to that authority was 2000 acres, on which £15 was paid. Date oi acquisition, 1836.

Richard Peck claimed 10,300 acres, New River, and 16,000 at Bluff and Jacob's River. Sydney Records mention a Samuel Peck, who claimed 94,000 acres in Foveaux Straits; acquired in 1840, for which £127 paid. He also claimed, according to New Zealand Records, 10,000 acres at New River, acquired 1838 and 1840; £87 paid. Claimant's agent refused to pay fees, and the claims were not admitted for investigation. He also claimed 16,000 acres at Jacob's River. No particulars given. Apparantly disposed of as stated above.

H. T. Sheldon made two claims, for New River lands. Particulars not given. Both claims disallowed.

Isaac Simmonds, area Foveaux Straits; acquired 1840. Disallowed.

James Spencer, area Bluff Harbour, acquired 1839; £110 paid. Grant for 200 acres, February 15, 1845, issued. Another claim for 200 acres, Bluff Harbour; £90 paid. Grant issued, February 15, 1845. Another 2000 acres at "Islets," in Bluff Harbour, acquired 1839; £49 12s 6d paid. Grant for islet Te Kuri to claimant, dated February 15, 1845. Grants called in, but not produced. Believed to be a sealed packet in possession of Registrar of Supreme Court, Sydney. Grants ordered to be prepared ready for issue, on the production of old grants, to the heirs. Sydney Records state the claim at 8000 acres, acquired 1842, for which £75 were paid. Sydney Records bear that Te Kuri, which they name Spencer's Island, was acquired in 1834 by J. S. Spencer; price paid, £30.

W. G. Thomas, area at Toi-tois, acquired 1838; £90 paid. Disallowed. No claim preferred. Sydney Records give the area at 250,000 acres, acquired 1838.

S. M. Thomson, claimed 12,000 acres at Toi-tois, acquired 1838; £60 paid. Disallowed. No claim preferred.

F. W. Unwin, area Toi-tois; no particulars; disallowed. Another claim for area in the Molyneux; no particulars; disallowed.

Joseph Webb claimed 10,300 acres, New River, and 16,000 acres at Bluff, acquired 1838 and 1840. Fees not paid. Disallowed.

Edward Weller claimed 1,000,000 acres at Molyneux, 28,000 at Bluff, 1600 at Waikawa, 960 at Bluff; alleged to have been acquired in 1839; together with 500,000 acres at Banks Peninsula and 250,000 at Taumutu, acquired during the same year; £82 alleged to have been paid. Disallowed; no claim preferred.

George Weller claimed 100,000 acres at Molyneux, 28,000 at Bluff, 1600 at Waikawa, 64,000 at Stewart Island, 950 at Bluff; acquired in 1839, together with 500,000 acres at Banks Peninsula and 250,000 at "Taumutu, Otago"; £91 13s paid. Disallowed, the claimant not appearing. In 1846 claimant applied to Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, to allow the claim to be re-opened, but the Governor refused. The claimant stated he and Edward Weller had actually surveyed 63,600 acres at a cost of £800, and had sold 14,000 at 5s per acre to other persons. Sydney Records gave the claims made by George and Edward Weller as follows:—Foveaux Straits, 57,000 acres, page 96acquired in 1839; price £10. Otakou, 2,000,000 acres, acquired 1839; £76 paid. Edward's Island and Ececochono: G. Weller, Sydney, acquired 1839; £100 paid.

G. Wentworth, areas at Waikawaite (Waikouaiti), Molyneux, and Bluff. No particulars given. All were disallowed, the claimant not appearing. There appears to have been a partnership between Wentworth, John Jones, Leathart, and others, of Sydney. Wentworth endeavoured in 1840, without success, to induce the Legislative Council of New South Wales to alter the regulations. His claims are stated to have amounted to a total of 20,000,000 acres.

Chapman and Morgan claimed 5000 acres at Jacob's River, acquired in 1838; £441 5s paid. Disallowed; no claim preferred.

James Joss, claimed an area at the Bluff; acreage not stated; acquired 1838; £40 paid. Grant for 213 acres, date September 30th, 1844. He claimed also 30 acres at Stewart Island, acquired 1836; £60 paid. Grant issued, February 15, 1845. Claimed, further, 150 acres, Stewart Island; £50 paid; acquired 1836. Grant issued, February 15, 1845. These grants were subsequently sailed in and cancelled. New grants were ordered to be issued for 160 acres to C. W. Schultze, and 107 acres to heirs of the claimant. Stewart Island claim not investigated Joss established a whale station at New River in 1838. Thomas Smith claimed an area in Foveaux Straits, acquired in 1840. No further particulars. Disallowed.

John Campbell claimed an area in Foveaux Straits, acquired in 1840. No further particulars. Disallowed.

William Stirling, claimed 100 acres at Bluff, acquired in 1839; £40 paid. Grant of 104 acres made, dated February 15, 1845. Called in, and grants ordered to be issued to J. Joss, as trustee under Stirling's will.

Murphy and Ennis, area Milford Haven, acquired in 1839; £163 paid. Grant to claim for 612 acres, dated February 15, 1845. Grant called in and cancelled. No claim preferred 612 acres ordered to be surveyed in order that new grants may be issued to persons who may establish their rights to the same.

R. Sizemore, area at Bluff; £17 paid. Not referred to any Commissioner. No claim preferred.

W. Hinchliff, area at Jacob's River. No particulars. Disposed of as per foregoing.

Edward Hunt, area at Molyneux; £30 paid. Disposed of as per foregoing.

Children of Nat. Bats, area at Jacob's River. No particulars. Claim not investigated.

J. J. Peacock, area at New River; £70 paid. Disallowed. Area at Foveaux Straits; £62 paid. Disallowed. Sydney Records describe Peacock as of Sydney. Foveaux claim is stated at 600,000 acres; acquired in 1838. The latter extended down the banks of the New River to Foveaux Straits. The other, on which the £70 were paid, was an Otakou claim, situated between Otago Harbour and Nuggets Point (Toka-ta). It comprised 250,000 acres.

Peacock also claimed 64,000 in Cook Strait, on which a sum of £418, alleged to have been paid. It was acquired in 1839. New Zealand Records make mo mention of that claim.

Besides the foregoing, Sydney Records mention the following:—Otakou: W. Hirst, of Sydney, 100,000 acres, for which £120 alleged to have been paid. J. Duncan, Sydney, 160,000 acres; £145 paid. No dates of acquisition or location mentioned.

According to Sydney Records, 1,092,100 acres of land in and about Foveaux Straits were disposed of, and Otakou land to the extent of 5,018,200 acres.

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The largest southern speculator was E. Catlin and Company. Their joint transactions amounted to 7,000,000 acres, for which, according to their own showing, they paid the modest sum of £90. Weller comes next with 3,560,000, for which, he gave a total of £153. Weller also claimed to have purchased land in the Hot Lakes country. John Jones (Johnny Jones), of Otago, ranks next, claiming 1,980,000 acres; and then we have Green claiming 1,382,000 acres. Peacock ranks for 1,514,000 acres, upon which he alleges a payment of £538.

Besides these, five Sydney speculators claimed 8,750,000 acres at Akaroa, acquired during the year 1839-40, for which £224 alleged to have been paid. Cook Strait territory was claimed by other five Sydney speculators. It comprised 2,063,000 acres; acquired in 1839; £700 paid. That includes Peacock's claim referred to above. At Cape Farewell, on the West Coast, one J. C. Crawford, of Sydney, claimed 250,000 acres, acquired in 1839, for which a payment of £200 was alleged. The island of Kapiti was claimed by D. Cooper, of Sydney, acquired in 1839; £100 paid. Then we have another island named Kanarra, claimed by Paterson. No particulars given.

Quoad these claims Shortland tells us: Beginning at Cook Strait, claims were made to Blind Bay and to both sides of Pelorus—a distance of 50 miles inland; Queen Charlotte's Sound and Oyster, Turarra, and Wynangra Bays, within Cloudy Bay. From Lookers-out, Akaroa, Moeraki, Otakou, Port Levy, to Foveaux Straits. Also the whole of the following islands situated on the Eastern Coast of the Middle Island:—Ahamataroa, Green Island, and Spencer Island. Also the Western Coast at Dusky, Preservation, Port Adventure, Mistaken Bay, and Cape Farewell. The entire area could not be less than 25,000,000 acres, made by less than 30 individuals. Stewart Island, designated New Leinster, was wholly claimed; as also the adjoining islands, named Erocochere and the Land of the Living.

The entire acreage of New Zealand is enumerated as follows:—Middle Island, 40,000 geographical miles—46,731 English miles, being nearly 30,000,000 acres. North Island, 34,000 geographical miles—39,383 English miles; or the grand total of 55,000,000 acres. On that basis it is computed four-fifths of the whole had been disposed of by these purchases, leaving not more than one-fifth for British Sovereignty to acquire on original right.

Hobart Town Courier of February 14, 1840, reports:—Two New Zealand chiefs arrived in Sydney and requested the Governor to tell them what the intentions of her Majesty's Government were with respect to the bargains in land which they had ratified. The Governor diplomatised, being utterly at a loss for an answer, but took occasion to draw comfort from the fact of this visit, which he conjectures to be got up by the parties interested to frustrate the objects of the Home Government in investigating titles to the land.