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No. 17.
Chief Waata Kukutai, to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor.
Friend the Governor,—
Salutations to you! Friend, the following are our words to you, that you may be
informed, concerning our land, named Paetawa, Whakapapa, Te Waihoroikiore, Awaroa,
for all that piece–for Taki Nikau—which is being stolen by Ngatiteata. Therefore
we are concerned about the stealthy work of Te Katipa regarding our land. We know
that his work is a wrong work, his work by stealth. Now we beg to inform you that
we are willing to give up these large pieces of land to you; and, if you page 283
approve, write it in a letter to us.
Now this is another word we have for you. Should the Ngatiteata arrive to speak
with you concerning these lands, do not attend to them, to their speech. They are
stealing our land. Beware of that man, Katipa; he is a thief. Do not give away
your goods for nothing. If a European steals property or money, is he not judged
for his misdeeds, for his thieft? Is not that your law? Be aware that the
following are the names of the chiefs of the Ngatitipa, the owners of the land,
viz., Eruete, Hura Makape, Matenga, Hohepa, Po, Arama Karaka, Niui, Terawhiti,
Mohi, Ruka, Paua, Paeturi, Ruihana, Pakanae, Te Kawhena. Thus you see what a
number of chiefs there are of Ngatitipa; twenty chiefs, to whom the land belongs.
That is all.
From, &c.,
Waata Kukutai.
Memorandum.
The lands alluded to in this letter are on the east side of Waiuku, and include Foley's claim, the circumstances connected with which are mentioned in my report, dated November, 1851, on claims at Waiuku. As far as I can learn, the writer's claims are valid, and as they are a party who have always opposed the sale of land to the Europeans, but have now come forward to offer land for sale, it would be attended with good effect, if a purchase were made from them, absorbing the claim of Foley, of which a portion has been sold to Mr. Codlin, provided they can settle with Katipa. The land offered is very desirable.
John G. Johnson,
Interpreter.
Memorandum.
The land is adjoining the village lately laid out at Waiuku, and part of this land has already been sold to a settler named Codlin. This land was originally sold by the Chief Katipa, but the writer of this letter, by name Ruihana, one of the most turbulent chiefs of the Waikato district, disputes this sale, and, I understand, brought upwards of 100 men to Codlin's place, and cut down part of his fence.
C. L. Nugent,
Native Secretary.
This must be referred to the Surveyor-General for a report.
R. H. W.,
Lieutenant-Governor.
Report.
Any land offered for sale in the vicinity of the Awaroa, should, I think, be bought. To accept of this offer would, as Mr. Johnson states, absorb a claim preferred by the Ngatitipa upon a part of Foley's claim, and finally settle that question. When Katipa failed to wrest a part of Foley's claim from the Government by his misrepresentations, he thought of throwing it into the land claimed by the party who have written this letter. If a quiet title can be procured for any or all of the land remaining in that district, it is desirable. When Mr. Johnson goes to Rama Rama, he might be authorized to negotiate for this land.
C. W. W. Ligar,
Surveyor General.
Approved, as suggested by the Surveyor-General, if Mr. Johnson can be spared.
R. H. W.,
Lieutenant-Governor.