Difficulties of Negotiation. Instance of Native Democracy. Moturoa's Position disputed. Division of Purchase Goods. Disturbance.

The principal difficulties to contend with in the negotiations with the Natives arose, in a great measure, from their elder men not having sufficient influence to direct and advise the younger and more unreasonable members of their tribes, the hereditary despotism of chieftainship having become more apparently extinct in this district than in any other portion of the Island, in consequence of the exterminating wars which have been so prevalent here, when many of the chiefs were taken captive, placing them on an equality with their followers, so that every one, young or old, has a voice in their deliberations, and which often causes dissatisfaction and annoyance. This was very apparently seen on one occasion in town. The day after His Excellency left several of the young and unpractised orators of the Puketapu Tribe had been waiting to exact a part of the payment from the people of Ngamotu for land they assumed a claim to in their district, and which occasioned a general dispute. Moturoa (the chief from Port Nicholson) at this time got up to assert his claim to some land at Omata (a considerable distance from the settlement), and, as much jealousy existed towards this chief, from his having arrived at a time when there was so great an excitement, and which caused him to be treated with much indifference and inhospitality,—the resident Natives stating that he had no right to come and assert his claim to land from which he had been so long absent, having possessed himself of other lands in Cook Straits, which he had sold to Europeans without consulting his relatives, who were left behind to keep possession of and defend lands which he had forsaken,—Moturoa, being a chief of considerable importance and unused to such insults from parties whom he did not consider his equals in rank or standing, was very indignant and sent word to his friends at Port Nicholson to acquaint them with the uncourteous treatment he had received, and, had it not been, for the dangerous illness of his wife, he would have left the place in disgust. Several of his and his wife's relatives formed themselves into a party to averge the treatment he was receiving, arming themselves with whatever weapons were at hand. Fortunately no collision then took place, and after their angry feelings had partially subsided they all agreed to commence dividing the goods for their land, There being twenty-one distinct families in the Ngamotu Tribe, the goods were consequently divided into twenty-one equal lots, consisting of blankets, prints, and various articles, and in addition a calf or double-barrelled gun for each family. All had been going on with the greatest quietness and regularity, having had the assistance of the most influential among them in making the division, which was giving entire satisfaction, when unfortunately a woman took up from a parcel belonging to another family several articles, which she tried to conceal and run off with. When this was discovered it caused much indignation, and, from the state of excitement many of the Natives had been under, the example she had thus set was quickly followed by others, who made a rush for the calves and guns, being the most valuable property then at hand, the stronger party getting the greater number. It happened fortunately that some cash was still on hand to await the wants of those who did not receive a fair share, and which sum I have advised them to lay out in purchasing two breeding mares, and they are now in possession of them.