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

No. 7. — Messrs. Mitchell and Davies to the Under-Secretary, Native Department

page 373

No. 7.
Messrs. Mitchell and Davies to the Under-Secretary, Native Department.

Bay of Plenty.Land Purchase Negotiations. Lake Taupo, 10th July, 1870.

Sir,—

Since our last report we have had some difficulties to encounter in our land operations, which at times threatened to bring about a collapse. Some of the Arawa chiefs, acting under the advice, of the Hawke's Bay Natives and their pakeha friends, whose opposition to the present Government is well known, have, by petitions to the Assembly, by numerous letters and telegrams, and by various other means, endeavoured to stay our land proceedings in the Arawa country. The various petitions and other communications forwarded by the Arawa generally, have been notable only for the gross misrepresentations they contained, and in these demonstrations they have all well borne out the ancient proverb accorded to them by the universal voice of the Maori tribes, "Te Arawa Mangai Nui"

—" The big-mouthed Arawa." Added to the wanton troublesomeness of these Arawa tribes, their cupidity has been excited, and their known character of dishonesty encouraged by private individuals, who persistently endeavour to lease and buy Maori lands within our district, although they well know that it is impossible, under the circumstances, to obtain a legal title, and by foolishly bargaining with unscrupulous Arawas, they are but wasting time and money; and no doubt, at some future period, when driven to their wit's end, they will fall back as their predecessors have done, on the Government for compensation, with what show of justice remains to be seen. We have pleasure in stating, however, that notwithstanding the violence of the opposition and the various obstacles referred to with which we have had to contend, land matters at present throughout the whole of our district, as far as our operations are concerned, are standing upon a most satisfactory basis; and now that the Arawas have discovered that we unflinchingly adhere to the principles of truth and justice, and that their threats are either treated with indifference or met by sound arguments, their feelings have become somewhat mollified, and they profess to be desirous of aiding the Government scheme, which, indeed, does not surprise us, as they are sufficiently intelligent to see that such a course will be advantageous to themselves.

Although we looked upon the great meeting held in March last at Maketu as the outcome of ungovernable cupidity on the part of the leading chiefs who advocated that movement, still it was a satisfactory, mode of laying bare the utter baselessness on which extortionate demands were made, and evidencing before an impartial tribunal of both races the complete groundlessness of their accumulated grievances.

It will be remembered perhaps that we intimated in our last general report the probability of our success in respect to purchasing the block of land at Maketu, known as Te Puke, in which case our operations would be extended to Maketu flats, known as Te Papanui, Paengaroa, &c. We have to state that the proposed line of action we then ventured to suggest was carried out by us. We treated with the Waitaha and Tapuika tribes, to whom it was fully known the land really belongs; and although the "toa" element raised its crest, our determined indifference towards the "toa" on the grounds of justice so thoroughly convinced them of the untenableness of their position and the fictitiousness of their claims, that they agreed to confine their demands to a few hundred acres of worthless sandy soil near the sea coast, which includes Te Tumu, the famous battle ground, where the Ngaiterangi were worsted. Having succeeded in obtaining the assent and signatures of the resident Natives at Maketu of the Waitaha and Tapuika tribes, we proceeded to Auckland and Coromandel peninsula, where a number of the same tribes resided, whose signatures were obtained to ourdeeds, and who warmly repudiated any claim whatever to the lands of their ancestors made by the "toa," stating that the Ngatiwhakaue and others, claiming as "toa;" put forward these fictitious claims for the purpose of extorting money, taking advantage of the ignorance of the pakehas as regards these Maori questions. With these sayings and other arguments of our own, showing the fallacies of the "toa" claims, the whole element suddenly collapsed, and" we were told by them to go on with the ancestral claimants, but that as an act of grace they, the "toa," hoped riot to be overlooked.

After the settlement, as far as could be accomplished, of Te Puke, Te Papanui and Paengaroa Blocks referred to above, we proceeded to Rotorua, and held an open conference with all the tribes in that locality in relation to the purchase of 20,000 acres of wooded land, known as Te Rotohokahoka Block, and after a careful investigation as to the nature of the multitudinous claims, we paid as deposits the sum of £500 thereon; subsequently we held a series of meetings at Te Wairoa with Tuhourangi on the Rotohokahoka purchase, and on the leases of Paeroa, Tumunui, Rotomahana, and other places. We succeeded in arguing down the opposition of the body of Tuhourangi chiefs who call themselves the "Putaiki," and of obtaining their consent to the purchase of Rotohokahoka, and to the leases in question. The chiefs of Tuhourangi, Te Rangiheuea, and others whose claims to the Koutu Block at Ohinemntu, on which the Armed Constabulary, in command of Sub-Inspector Gascoigne, are at present located, agreed to lease their interest in the block, and we accordingly paid to them a deposit, securing at the same time their signatures to our deed. At the same meeting the most violent opposition was raised by all present to the, claims of Henare Te Pukuatua as regards Matakana lands, Tumunui, Kapanga, and other places on which lands it was suggested the advance made to Henare by the Government of £250 should rest. Some of Henare's own relatives, who we're present, suggested that he should give to Government as an equivalent lands at Maketu, if he had any there, which they said was questionable. All our attemps to settle the above money question having signally failed, we moved on to Ohinemutu, where we held meeting after meeting on the subject of the Koutu lease; but in consequence of the hostile attitude assumed by the chief Temuera Te Amohau and his adherents, we deemed it wise to relinquish for the time being further actual negotiations. It should be stated, however, that immediately after some of the party broke away from Temuera, sanctioning the lease by affixing their signatures thereto, and taking a small deposit. Among those who signed were Henare Te Pukuatua, his wife Nataria, Paratomeo, Te Puke, Te Wharekino, Te Upokotareoa, Pahiriko, and page 374 Te Poroa. Others of the Ngatiwhakaue expressed their desire to sign the deed, but, their demands being objectionable on the score of exorbitancy, we refused to entertain their propositions. The question of the Parekarangi lease having been mooted at the same time, a general meeting was con vened on the subject, the result of which was the obtaining of a number of signatures to our lease, and the payment of £15 deposit to parties, who had previously opposed the transaction.

Prior to the matters detailed above, it is necessary to remark that we paid a visit to the Arawa chiefs residing at Ohiwa, with whom originated the idea of leasing the Koutou block to the Government; they also sanctioned the sale of the Puke Block, Te Papanui, and other 0places at Maketu, and those connected with either Waitaha or Tapuika received small payments in extinguishment of their claims We also obtained here the signatures necessary to complete the title to the military award blocks of Ngatikereru, Ngatirangiteaorere, and Ngatiuenukukopako." The subject of the Mangorewa lands claimed by the Ngatirangiwewehi tribe, was also a subject of discussion, as to whether any portion should be sold or leased to Government. It transpired that the members of the tribe generally had signed a paper transferring all power and authority to their chief Mita Hikairo, of the Native Lands Court Office, Auckland, who was to act on his own judgment as far as these lands are concerned. We sought an interview with Hikairo on the occasion of our visit to Auckland in October, 1874, and her gave us to understand that until he obtained Grown grants for the lands in question, he would not be inclined to treat either with Government or private parties. He however withdrew all opposition to the purchase of the Rotahokahoka Block in which he was known to have an interest. In connection with the subject of Rotahokahoka we may add that, in consequence of our action relative to the purchase of that block, the Ngatiraukawa tribe, professing to have claims thereon, convened a meeting at Te Whetu, to which it was deemed advisable to send Mr. Young, who reported that about 170 Natives were present, some of whom were delegates from the Hauhau country, and, after three days' discussion, the Hauhau party concluded by remarking that the block of land in question must be settled by the Rotorua Natives, and by those of the Te Whetu party who had interest in the soil, and that it was a mistake to summon them (the Hauhaus) from a long distance to take, part in a matter with which they had really nothing whatever to do. It should" be stated that Arekatera te Puni, with whom, originated the offer of the Rotohokahoka Block to Government for sale, and to whom a deposit of £150 was paid, and whose business it was to be present at the meeting referred to, to argue down the opposition, failed from fear or some other cause to appear, but Te Kepa te Marama, a chief of the Ngatiuenukukopako tribe, who also received a deposit of £150 on the block, manfully withstood the hostile attitude, assumed by the Ngatiraukawa in relation to the Rotahokahoka, and told them in direct terms that the Government should have the land, and that he should accompany the surveyor, and that his interests would be unceasing until the final settlement of the purchase. Te Kepa's determined standing had, Mr. Young is of opinion, the desired effect upon the opponents, and we are glad to record that some of the opposition party are now anxious to assist in the survey.

At Whakatane, we met the chiefs Rangitukehu and Tiopira, with whom we held a lengthy conference regarding lands at Rangitaiki, previously leased to Government. We arranged to convene a large meeting at their settlement Kokohinau, for the purpose of bringing together the various conflicting elements, in the hope of satisfactorily settling all the differences on the spot, At the request of Rangitukehu, the meeting has been delayed until August next. The Whakatane tribes were anxious to deal with us for the sale of certain lands claimed by them; but these lands being outside the boundary lines of our district, we referred them to Mr. Wilson. At Te Awa-a-te Atua, numerous meetings were held with Wiremu Kepa te Rangipuawhe, Te Wikiriwhi Te Tuahu, Arama Karaka, and other influential chiefs, together with their people. The subjects put before the meetings were the leases of Kaingaroa and Rerewhakaitu, and it was agreed that a day should be fixed by consent of Government for the investigation of title, to insure the validity of leases. It was also proposed to sell to Government the Military Award Block at Matata, claimed by the Tuhourangi, containing upwards of 4,000 acres.

Next in order is our visit to Taupo, where we were met by the chiefs Topia Turoa, Matuahu, Te Heuheu, and Paurini, acconrpanied by all the surrounding tribes. After a series of preliminary meetings were held at Tapuaeharuru, on the leases and purchases generally, local gatherings took place at Omatangi, Opepe, and Runanga, where were offered some of the signatures of the grantees of Runauga No. 2, and Tauhara middle. We arranged also a lease of Runanga No. 1, from certain counter claimants, and completed the title of the Taharua Block. Discussions relative to the Tatua leases, east and west, Mohaka; Oruanui, and Parekarangi, we were unable to complete, being suddenly summoned by the Under-Secretary to meet the Hon. Native Minister at Maketu. Thither we proceeded, and were present at daily meetings held by Sir Donald MacLean and the main hapus of the district, for the purpose of enquiring into the nature and extent of the Arawa grievances, which we are inclined to think were of the most delusive character, and brought forward with the pure desire of extorting Government money, which to the credit of Sir Donald MacLean be it recorded, they utterly failed in obtaining. In justice to the Arawas generally, it becomes necessary to draw the line of demarkation between the two prominent sections, namely, the "anti-leasing and selling" party, and those who sell and lease. Of the former the great leading personage is Te Pokiha Taranui, more commonly called Fox, a man of indomitable pride, with" very small intellect, which is, as we found almost always devoted to self; but he makes up for mental deficiency by the adoption of schemes, irrespective of argument and reason. He carries with him a small section of the Ngatipikiao tribe, named Ngatitekakenga, who are known to possess but small influence, and but very little land. The Ngatipikiao, who are with the Government in the land scheme, comprise a large majority under the old and influential chiefs, Te Puehu Taihorangi, Te Mapu, Rota Rangihoro, Te Matangi, Pita te Taretoroa, Wi Kepa, Hira, Rirituku, Eruini te Tikao, Mita Tahoka, Hona te Hauita and others. With this large section of the Ngatipikiao range the Waitaha, Tapuika, Ngatipakenga, Ngatimoko, Ngatituara, Ngatirangitihi, Ngatihinewai, Te Patuwai and others. In fact the real landholders generally throughout the Arawa country favour both selling and leasing, and it is found that the page 375 opposing party as a rule have little or no land to sell or lease. Consequently the genuine owners of the soil viewed the acts and interference of the clamerous anti-sellers with extreme bitterness. We ought, perhaps, to say that the conclusions we have arrived at with respect to the points mooted in this report are based upon unbiassed observations, we having fall opportunity of ascertaining from time to time of judging as to the position of things, ane the bearing of men, chiefs and people, on the land question, and we have always found it better never to swerve from what we consider right, and to set our faces against the system of bribes. By this simple adherence to principle, we are certain that the Government have been saved many thousands of pounds, and an abiding lesson has been taught to these Arawa tribes that truth and honesty are more potent than all the low scheming they have endeavoured to bring to their aid in their land negotiations.

During our present visit to Taupo, meetings have been held at various places regarding the Mohaka Block of 47,000 acres, which was partly settled before Sir Donald MacLean at Napier, one of us being present, Te Tatua, Tauhara North, Parekarangi, and Oranui. The tone of feeling with regard to all of these places was in favour of Government, and although Henare Matua and other Hawke's Bay celebrities sent their written epistles and oral messages to Taupo Natives, stirring them up to oppose any attempt on the part of Government to secure lands in this district by purchase or lease, the machinations of the Napier chiefs proved unsuccessful, and their gratuitous opinions treated with profound indifference.

We have felt it our duty to encourage, as much as possible, the desire of the Taupo tribes to educate their children, and we have impressed upon them the advisableness and necessity of setting aside for school purposes a portion of the money received from us for their lands." There is one matter to which we would call attention, namely, the transference of the proposed school buildings to Tokanu, it being a much more central position, and being near the settlement of the parents and guardians, and would be more likely to receive support, and in consequence insure success. We have not had an opportunity of conferring with Mr. Commissioner Locke on the subject, but as he intends to visit Taupo shortly, we shall then be enabled to place before him our views. It may be observed, likewise, that the Hauhau element being strong in the neighbourhood of Tokanu, the benefits arising from the education of the young would be acknowledged, and the Hauhaus would be stimulated to send their children also.

By this mail we transmit some of the completed deeds.

We have, &c.,

C. O. Davis,
Henry Mitchell.

Under Secretary, Native Department,
Land Purchase Branch.