Journal of James Grindell, Interpreter, N.L.P.D., from June 1st to July 31st, 1858.

Tuesday, June 1st.—Left Masterton this evening for Ihurana and Manawatu.* * *

Wednesday 23rd. * * * I found Te Hirawanu and his people. * * *

They were determined not to sell any land on the east of Tararua, (viz., in the Seventy Mile Bush) until they had disposed of all their lands on the west side, supposing, no doubt, that these lands, being nearest to the Ngatiraukawas, were the most likely to be disputed and claimed by them.

Wednesday, 30th—From this place I sent a letter to the Ngatiapas, informing them that matters were about to be discussed affecting their interests, and advising them to attend.

Thursday, July 1st.—This day was spent in collecting food for the visitors, and making complimentary speeches (usual on such occasions), with but little reference to the business in hand. Two bullocks and half a score of pigs were killed, and various other preparations made for the celebration of a grand feast.

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Friday, 2nd.—I commenced the business of the day with a short address to the tribes assembled, in which I told them that I had been sent by Mr. Searancke to ascertain what lands they were willing to sell, with the boundaries, position, &c., and also to enquire into the respective claims of the i people occupying such lands. I represented to them that as they were all related together (having descended from one common source) they should endeavor to agree relative to boundaries and claims—that they should 'speak with one voice '—that if they were disunited by internal dissension; they would be laying themselves open to the attacks of the Ngatiraukawas, from whom much opposition was to be expected, and that there would thus be much less chance of coming to an amicable understanding with that tribe. I reminded them that there were several families located amongst them who had become part and parcel of themselves, and exhorted them to be mindful of the interests of these people in the disposal of their lands.

After four or five days consultation, it was determined unanimously, that, not only the Puhangina Block on the north, but a corresponding block also on the south of Manawatu should be offered for sale; the whole, comprising, I should say, some 150,000 acres. Boundaries and reserves were fixed, and a portion of land allotted to the Ngatiupokoiri. I was anxious to have the Oroua river as a western boundary, but it could not then be arranged, as the Ngatiraukawa have claims east of that river. * * *

I do not expect that the purchase of this block will be effected without some opposition from the Ngatiraukawas, but I am not inclined to think that any very serious obstacles will be raised by them, nothing but what may be got over by judicious management. * * *

Monday, 12th—Mr. Searancke not arriving, and being anxious to collect as much information as possible, as to the state of the Native mind relative to Hirawanu's proceedings and land selling in general, I started for the Awahou and Otaki. I was absent on this trip until Thursday, 22nd, when I returned to Puketotara.

I found the Ngatiraukawas divided into two distinct parties, the sellers and non-sellers. The latter party is headed by Nepia Taratoa; but, I believe, his opposition to be merely a matter of form—merely an assertion of his authority—an upholding of his dignity, which will die away with the jealousy which occasioned it. Kuruhou, an active supporter of Taratoa, assured me that many of the chiefs of the Ngatiraukawas had gone over to the land selling side, and that the land would eventually be sold, that it was impossible to resist the 'kawanatanga.' The sellers looking upon Te Hirawanu as one of their party, appear disposed to support him, whilst the non-sellers say that his intentions of acting independently of them, is a piece of assumption. If they were all united Te Hirawanu might meet with more opposition; as it is, I page lix have little doubt that the purchase of the land offered by him would lead to the acquirement of all the lands in the hands of the Ngatiraukawas. The advocates of land selling in that tribe (and they are numerous), would look upon such an event as a signal for a general action, and their opponents, considering further opposition useless, would confine their attention to those tracts to which their claims were undisputed.

Ihakara offers for sale a block of some ten or twelve thousand acres at the Awahou very desirable situation for a township, on a navigable part of the Manawatu, and exempt from floods; I am satisfied his title to this block is just, although disputed (for the present) by Nepia Taratoa, who however is pretty certain to come over to the land selling side, as he is aware that public opinion is becoming too strong to be long resisted. The amount to be paid for it, I imagine, would not be a very difficult matter to settle, as the Natives consider the settlement of Europeans amongst them, a matter of much more importance than the money they would receive for the land. This also appears to be the feeling of the Rangitane and Hirawanu's people.

When the Ngatiraukawas first established themselves in the country, each division of the tribe, claimed, and took formal possession of certain tracts as their share of the conquest; of which they forthwith became the sole proprietors, and of which they ever afterwards retained possession; but now, when the idea of selling the land is gaining ground amongst them, the opponents of such a step, for the first time, assert that the country is common property, and that no portion of it can be sold without the consent of all. The feeling however, in favor of selling is spreading rapidly, and the ranks of the sellers are daily augmented by deserters from the non-sellers; yet there is so much jealousy existing amongst the chiefs, as to preclude the idea of these conflicting claims lever being so thoroughly harmonized as to admit of the sale of the country without tedious disputes and quarrels amongst the Natives. That the time is fast approaching when the country will be bought up, there can be no doubt, but much care and cirsumspection will be necessary in conducting the negotiations.

Most of the chiefs and influential men wish to sell the particular districts which fell to their share after the conquest, but the purchase of the country in such small pieces would not only materially increase the cost, but give rise to numerous irreconcilable disputes.

On my return from Otaki, I saw Nepia Taratoa at the Awahou. He did not seem to object altogether to the sale of the land, but he said he wished the thing to be duly weighed and considered, and the claim of all parties properly adjusted before any portion of it was sold, otherwise evil might result. He complained of the rashness and precipitance of the other chiefs, and said he had page lx been strengthened in his opposition by their sneers and taunts and threats, to sell the land in spite of him. * * *

During my absence at Otaki, he had been to Puketotara to see the Rangitanes, about the land which they offer to sell; finding them determined to sell, he told them to 'wait a little while, a very little while, and he would not oppose their desire.' He has since declared his intention of selling the whole country between Manawatu and Rangitikei, including a portion of Te Hirawanu's block. I believe, however, he does not object to Hirawanu's receiving the money he is merely ambitious of the name, and anxious to prove his right to sell the whole country.