Only 79 Pakehas in District in 1854.

On more than one occasion, Mr. (afterwards Sir Donald) McLean paid a fruitless visit to Gisborne in an effort to induce the Natives to part with some of their lands. His description of Gisborne in 1854, for instance, is most interesting. He reported to the Government that the Turanganui river would admit vessels of 40 to 50 tons and that with a little blasting at the entrance vessels up to 100 tons would be able to enter. He estimated the Native population of the district at 2,500 and that there were in addition 79 Europeans, including children, besides 25 half-castes from 1 to 18 years old. The exports in 1850 he computed as being worth £2,890, including 10,000 odd bushels of wheat, together with maize, pork and other products. On their part, the Europeans had 202 page break page 185 head of horned cattle, 20 horses, 20 weather-boarded cottages, 105 acres in cultivation, and a number of excellent fruit gardens, including that at the Mission Station, and those of Mr. King and Capt. J. W. Harris… . The Natives possessed 100 horses and 150 head of horned cattle, but, except for a few neatly carved cottages, their homes were of a very inferior description. “As yet,” he said in his report, “I do not consider the Natives are sufficiently unanimous to enter into a formal treaty for the cession of their land, which they will probably be better prepared to do in another year.”