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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 63

Extract from Wellington Independent, 20th December, 1860. — The Manawatu Purchase

Extract from Wellington Independent, 20th December, 1860.

The Manawatu Purchase.

* * * "Thursday, 13th December.—The proceedings were short and business-like; Governor Hunia, on behalf of his people, stated that Dr. Featherston's proposal, as to the tribal division of the purchase money, had now page xcix been acceeded to by all the tribes concerned. He called on His Honor to send it once for the money, and to hand the shares over to the chiefs appointed by their respective tribes to receive them. He had been elected, in conjunction with Aparahama Tipae, to receive the Ngatiapa-Rangitane share of £15,000, and he pledged himself to see a fair and equitable division of the money among the several associated tribes. He called on Ihakara and Aperahama Te Haruhuru, who had been appointed in like manner by their tribes, to be equally careful of the interests of all claimants. The Ngatiraukawa replied in friendly and conciliatory terms, and assured Dr. Featherston that they would make ample provision for the few dissentients of their tribe who had refused to sign the deed, and would, if necessary, hand their allotted shares over to His Honor for safe custody. Governor Hunia apologized publicly for having torn down the Queen's flag, assuring His Honor that it was not done out of any spirit of disloyalty to the Queen, but because of 'the gloom of his tribe,' and in the hope that it would precipitate the breaking up of the meeting. Dr. Featherston (through Mr. Buller) replied in an appropriate speech. After which, Governor Hunia, as the representative of the Ngatiapa tribe and their allies, and Ihakara as the representative of the Ngatiraukawa, headed a procession to the flagstaff, holding between them the tin case containing the Manawatu deed of cession, which they placed on a table at the foot of the staff. Mr. Buller then opened the large roll of parchment, and read aloud to the assembled tribes the deed of final surrender. Dr. Featherston, as Land Purchase Commissioner, then came forward and signed the deed in due form, the signature being attested by the following witnesses :—Howard Kennard, gentleman, London; C. Went worth Dilke, B.A., Barrister at Law, London : C. Hillingsworth, B.A., London; and Walter Buller, Resident Magistrate, Wanganui. The tribes then chanted a song of farewell to the land, with its forests and lakes, its cultivations and its fisheries, and parted for ever with it according to their own expression) 'under the shining sun of the day.'

Saturday, 15th December.—Dr. Featherston addressed the people, through Mr. Buller, R.M., to the following effect :—He said—'That before handing over the £25,000 in final completion of the Manawatu purchase, he had a pleasing duty to perform towards a chief who had taken an active part in the long, difficult, and tedious negotiations now successfully concluded. He was anxious to give Governor Hunia, in the presence of the assembled tribes, some token of his approbation. He had decided in his own mind that the signet ring which he was about to present to him was the most appropriate token, because of its symbolic associations. It was hardly necessary for him to explain that in the holy institution of matrimony the ring is the pledge or token of the solemn vows that are made at the altar; and that, in like page c manner, he desired to symbolize the establishment of a firm and lasting friendship between the Ngatiapa and Ngatiraukawa Tribes.'

His Honor then placed the ring on Governor Hunia's finger, with the words—'Let this ring be a token that there is no longer enmity between the tribes, and that henceforward they will live together on terms of mutual good will, in friendship with the Pakeha, and in loyalty to our Gracious Queen! And, Governor Hunia, long may you live to wear it!'

The formal handing over of the money then took place, after which the tribes assembled under the Queen's flag, to hear Governor Hunia's speech in reply.

The £15,000 for the Ngatiapa and Rangitane, and their allies, was paid over to Governor Hunia and Aperahama Tipae; and the .£10,000 for Ngatiraukawa and Ngatitoa was paid over to Ihakara Tukuinaru and Aperahama Te Huruhuru, these chiefs thereupon signing receipts on the back of the deed, 'on behalf of and in the presence of the assembled tribes,' for the respective amounts.

The following gentlemen then affixed their names as witnesses to the signatures and payments, viz. :—H. J. Kennard, gentleman, London; C. Wentworth Dilke, Barrister, London; J. E. Hillingsworth, B.A., London; A. Follet Halcombe, Sheep-farmer, Rangitikei; Maillard Noake, J.P., Rangitikei; M. W. Anderson, Contractor, Wellington; and Walter Buller, Resident Magistrate, Wanganui."