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A compendium of official documents relative to native affairs in the South Island, Volume One.

Minutes of Proceedings

Minutes of Proceedings.

Nelson, 19th August,1844

The Commissioner held a Court this day for the investigation of the claims to land of the New Zealand Company in the district of Nelson.

Case No. 374a.
Case No. 374b.

The proceedings were commenced by the administration of the interpreter's oath to Mr. Edward Meurant.

Colonel Wakefield, on behalf of the New Zealand Company, then produced two plans of the surveyed districts in the Nelson settlement comprised under the present claims.

The Commissioner then inquired of Colonel Wakefield whether the land marked on the plans produced exhibited the total quantity of acres claimed by the New Zealand Company in that district.

Colonel Wakefield said, "That they did in this immediate district, but that he was not prepared to state the precise quantity of acres, but would furnish the Court with such particulars to-morrow."

The Commissioner then inquired under what deeds Colonel Wakefield claimed the land in this district.

Colonel Wakefield stated that he claimed the land under two deeds; one executed by Te Rauparaha and others at Kapiti, and another by a portion of the Ngatiawa Tribe in Queen Charlotte's Sound.

The Commissioner then directed Mr. Protector Clarke to inform the Natives, "That the Court was now prepared to enter into the question of the sale of the land, and to receive any evidence Colonel Wakefield might adduce; after which any witness Mr. Clarke might have to call would be heard on the part of the Natives. That they must make known their case to Mr. Clarke, who would communicate their wishes to the Commissioner."

Mr. Clarke then addressed the Natives to the above effect.

Colonel Wakefield then said that, in consequence of the absence of several Natives, he was not prepared to go into any evidence until the next day.

Mr. Clarke, on similar grounds, prayed an adjournment, which was granted. The Natives were then informed of this proceeding, and the Court adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. the following day.