Too limited in extent.

5. I therefore at once told the Natives that I could not listen to the offer of such a small block, but that the boundary must be moved up the river to a creek called Mangaharakeke, about twenty-five miles inland, which was the spot pointed out by Mr. McLean on a former visit. I found that they were quite prepared for this, and they replied that the offer they had made comprised all the land they had a right to sell individually; and that the land inland of Mahgauira belonged principally to the Natives living in the interior, who were fully represented by Ngataua, and whose determination was not to give up any more land until the piece offered was disposed of and settled. Finding that they adhered to this determination, and as they positively refused to allow me to go up the river to see the chiefs in the interior, I at once broke off the negotiations, telling them, as they had made the offer in order to bring Europeans there, and as the Europeans had already plenty of infinitely superior land on which to go, that, until they sold a block which would offer some inducement for settlers to go amongst them, the Government would not listen to their proposals. I stated, however, at the same time that they need not consider my refusal as final until I should have received the answer of the Governor-in-Chief.