Opposition manifested.

The New Zealanders are passionately fond of declamation, and they possess considerable ingenuity in exciting the passions of the people. On this occasion all their best orators were against me, and every argument they could devise was used to defeat my object. But many of their remarks were evidently not of Native origin, and it was clear that a powerful counter-influence had been employed. Towards the close of the day one of the chiefs, Papa Haika, made some observations that were so distinctly of English origin that I called on him to speak his own sentiments like a man, and not to allow others who were self-interested to prompt him; upon which he fairly, admitted the fact, and called for the European who had advised him to come forward, and tell the Governor what he had told him. This call was reiterated by me, when a person named M—presented himself. I asked his, motive for endeavouring to defeat the benevolent object of Her Majesty, whose desire it is to secure to those people their just rights, and to the European settlers peace and civil government. He replied that he conscientiously believed that the Natives would be degraded under our influence, and that therefore he had advised them to resist; admitting, at the same time, that the laws of England were requisite to restrain and protect British subjects, but to British subjects alone should they be applicable. I asked him if he was aware that English laws could only be exercised on English soil. He replied, "I am not aware; I am not a lawyer:" upon which I begged him to resume his seat, and told the chiefs that Mr. M—had given them advice in utter ignorance of this most important fact; adding, "If you listen to such counsel and oppose me, you will be stripped of all your land by a worthless class of British subjects, who will consult no interest but their own, and who care not how much they trample on your rights. I am sent here to control such people, and I ask from you the authority to do so." This little address was responded to by a song of applause; several chiefs who agreed with me sprang up in my support, and the whole spirit of the meeting changed. Apologies were offered by the opposing party, and the most prominent of them came forward and signed the Treaty. When the example had once been shown, it was with difficulty I could restrain those who were disentitled by their rank from inserting their names. Upwards of fifty-six signatures were given, and at 12 o'clock at night the business closed.

Before the last of the party were dismissed, it was intimated to me that the chiefs were desirous I should attend their feast on the following morning; and, in order to gratify them, I relinquished a visit I had arranged to the lower part of the river.