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:—

1.—Rules relating to the open Land.

(1).	The land to be divided equally among the recognized owners without reference to rank.
(2).	The women not to have shares part from the men, i.e., the married woman to have a joint interest with her husband, and the spinster with her nearest unmarried relative, (several exceptions to this rule).
(3).	No difference to be made in favour of the married man, or man with family.
(4).	Children (i.e., under 14) not to be entitled to separate shares, except in the case of orphans.
(5).	Only such of the foreign Maoris (i.e., immigrants from other Provinces) as have married Ngaitahu women and become permanent residents, to be entitled to a full share.
(6).	Natives not having an absolute claim, but related to shareholders, may be admitted at the discretion of the runanga, the extent of the share in such cases to be determined by general consent.

2.—Rules relating to the Bush Land.

(1).	The bush land to be allotted to individuals, or to associations of two or more, as the runanga may agree.
(2).	The corners of the bush allotments to be fixed by marked trees; these boundaries to be considered inviolate, and no alteration afterwards made in them.
(3).	A shareholder having either sold bush to the Pakehas, or cut it on his own account, to retain the land from which the timber has been removed.
(4).	One person may retain two or more of such parcels, provided they do not, in the aggregate, exceed what the runanga may consider his fair share; such award to be reckoned against him in the apportionment of the remaining bush land.
(5).	Small reserves of bush to be set apart for church purposes.