Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

[No. 15.]

No. 15.

G. S. Cooper, Esq., New Plymouth, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Mokau.Respecting Offer of Land.Land Purchase Department, Taranaki,13th December, 1852.Sir,

Adverting to my letter of the 31st of October last upon the subject of the offer of land made by the Natives of Mokau, I have now the honor to forward for the information of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor the copy of a letter from the Civil Secretary conveying to me the instructions of the Governor-in-Chief upon the subject; and I at the same time forward the copy of the letter which, in obedience to those instructions, I have addressed to the chief Ta Kerei.

I have, &c.,

G. S. Cooper.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, &c.,
Auckland.
page 362

Enclosure 1.
The Civil Secretary to G. S. Cooper, Esq., J.P., New Plymouth.

Mokau.Instructions as to the Purchase of Land. Civil Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 29th November, 1852.

Sir,—

Your report of the 24th October last on the block of land offered for sale by the chiefs of the Mokau District having been laid before the Governor-in-Chief, I am directed by His Excellency to inform you that it is not desirable that anything further should be done in this matter until the Natives are all agreed to dispose of the extent of country required by Government—the tract now offered being almost valueless—unless a considerable portion on both sides of the Mokau were added: thereto.

This course, it is considered, may be adopted without injustice to the Natives who have offered their land for sale, because all that was promised was that the district should be examined and reported on; which has been done. You, will, however, be good enough to write a letter on the part of Sir George Grey signifying His Excellency's approval of Ta Kerei's exertion to obtain land for Government, and his friendly co-operation with yourself.

That chief has also been appointed a Native Assessor, and the Resident Magistrate has been instructed to make him a small present.

I have, &c.,

Alfred Domett,
Colonial Secretary.

G. S. Cooper, Esq., J.P., &c., New Plymouth.

Enclosure 2.
G. S. Cooper, Esq., to the Chief Waitara Ta Kerei, Mokau.

Mokau.Offer of Land too Limited. Ngamotu, 14th December, 1852.

My friend Ta Kerei,—

The Southern mail has arrived and has been opened. It contained a letter from Governor Grey to me upon the subject of your offer, i.e., the piece of land offered by you all for the Europeans. You see the Governor's reply has proved to be as I told you—the offer is too small—Europeans would never think of going upon so small a piece of land. You had better therefore agree, the whole of you, men, women, and children, from the North, the South, and the interior—all the people—to extend the boundary to the parallel of Mangaharakeke, as fixed by Mr. McLean. Both sides of Mokau must be given up at one time, and then I will go down to Mokau and conclude the arrangements, that a town may be built at that place, that it may be cultivated by Europeans, so that the land may be improved; and that we all and our children may dwell together, and that we may grow and increase in wealth and strength as one people, and that our children may climb together to the summit of wordly prosperity.

My friend, this is another word of the Governor's for you. He is much pleased with your exertions to obtain a piece of land for his children, and with your friendly co-operation with me on my visit to Mokau. He has, therefore, been pleased to appoint you to be an Assessor for that district, to cause good to grow and increase, and to encourage just dealings; and, on the other hand, to put a stop to the quarrels and crimes and mischievous acts of ignorant men, and of the young men of the district. That is all.

From your sincere friend,

G. S. Cooper.