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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 63

[Extracts.]

page xliv

[Extracts.]

Rangitikei, March 10th, 1850.

"Ngatiraukawa, who came originally from Maungatautari, is the most powerful tribe in Cook's Strait. They number about 1,200 fighting men, including a section of Ngatitoa, and inhabit country lying between Kukutaueki (a small stream two miles north of Waikanae), and the main river of Rangitikei. Intermixed with the Ngatiraukawa are a few remnants of the Ngatikahununu, some of whom were some of the original possessors of the soil, while some have more recently migrated from the country in the neighbourhood of Hawke's Bay, which they left in consequence of jealousies and feuds connected with the distribution of land, and ultimately with the sanction of Ngatiraukawa were permitted to establish themselves on the banks of the Manawatu, where many of them still remain. The Ngatiraukawa as will be seen by the returns are a very numerous body—they are industrious, brave, and very much united.

23. Settlement. Otaki. * * * Otaki was the principle residence of the late chief Te Rauparaha.

The claim of the Ngatiraukawa to the whole of the district before mentioned is, I believe, undisputed, and since the call for flax each sub-tribe set a value upon their several districts which probably they never did before. The whole of the country abounds in flax.

25. Settlement.—Horowhenua, distant from Ohau about five miles, is situated on the border of a lake of that name. The inhabitants are a remnant of the original occupants of the soil called Muaupoko, and have been allowed to remain there ever since the country was taken possession of by Ngatiraukawa. Horowhenua was the favorite residence of the late Te Whatanui, one of the principal chiefs of the Ngatiraukawa—and to him the individuals composing the tribe in a great measure owe their existence. It is also interesting in skirting the lake to see the remains of the old pas, and to hear the accounts given of the manner in which they were attacked and destroyed by Te Rauparaha.

27. Settlement.—Manawatu is one of the principal districts occupied by the Ngatiraukawa, intermixed with them are two small tribes, one called the Paneiri, originally from the Hawke's Bay country, the other a remnant of the old Rangitanes, part of whom are still to be found in and near Wairau. The three principal stations or settlements on the Manawatu, are Te Awahou, near the heads, Taita and Moutoa on Te Rewarewa, up the river. With the exception of Te Awahou there are no other pas or fortifications worth mentioning. The huts and cultivations are scattered along the banks of the river and generally contiguous to the flax grounds. The easy water conveyance for the flax and other produce, including timber, has made the Manawatu a favorite residence with the natives. The native population, as will be seen by page xlv the enclosed returns, is considerably larger at Manawatu than at any other place.

28. Rangitikei, distant from Manawatu about 16 miles, is included within the new purchase and inhabited by a tribe called the Ngatiapa. There are three pas, one near the entrance of the river, the other two about five miles further up, and within a very short distance of each other. One of them is occupied by a portion of the natives, who were expelled from the Hutt at the time of the rebellion. These are known as the Ngatirangatahi, who are entirely distinct from the Ngatiapas, who occupy the other two pas.

The Ngatiapa are a remnant of the original people, and have held but little intercourse with the Europeans. They are still rude and uncivilized, and look with a jealous eye on their old conquerors the Ngatiraukawa, by whom they were recently permitted to sell the land on the north side of the river. The whole of the Ngatiapa scarcely amount to more than 300 souls, including Turakina and Wangaehu, for whom a sufficiency of land has been reserved.

"(Signed)

H. Tacy Kemp,

"Native Secretary."