In commencing my work at Kaiapoi, my first aim was to establish the runanga upon a firm and satisfactory footing, and to make this the recognised medium of all my operations with the Natives.

I was desirous that the partition and apportionment of the reserve should practically devolve upon the owners themselves. Herein lay my best hopes of success, while, at the same time, I felt that by making the runanga a party to the arrangement, the Government would have some guarantee that the work rested upon a sure and permanent basis.

As all had a common interest in the land, I selected the open or democratic form of runanga— that in which all the adult males take part, and where questions are decided only by a large majority of those present,—as that best calculated to give general satisfaction, and to promote the success of the undertaking.

Rules for regulating the proceedings of the runanga, and for preserving order, were framed by a Committee of the principal chiefs, and an officer (a young man of rank) was appointed to enforce their observance. The Kaiapoi runanga was, in fact, a general meeting of shareholders, met for a common object, all enjoying the same privileges, and amendable alike to rules of discipline. The old chiefs were (out of respect) always invited to speak first, but the younger and more intelligent men took the more active part in debate, and virtually ruled the decisions of the meeting.

The first step was to obtain the concurrence of the runanga in some general principles that should regulate the division and apportionment. After long and earnest discussion, the following rules were unanimously agreed to:—