No

Governor Hobson to the Secretary of State for the Colcnies, 15 Oct. 1840.

Sir,   Pearty Bay, New Zealand, 8 May 1840,

I LATELY Rev. H. Wlliams a of treaty between Her Majesty Queen Victoria and the chief of New Zealand, for the approtal and signature of the chiefs living between the East Case and Ahuriri, together wide hale of blankets for distribution among the said chiefs

I am happy to you that the leading in this have hare signed the treaty, and there is no doubt the rest will follow their example. In about a week I expect to proceed to the East but it will be the and of July or August before I shall again see the natives which is to the of Table Cape.

Supposing that it is of importance to obtain the general approval of the natives, I shall snot transmit the is complete, but you mey in the mean time rely upon prompt attention being it.

The blankets have been given at the sate of one to each leading chief, and it will require at least 60 more to complete the bounty through

I take this occasion of sending, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, some account of a most transaction which place in January last, being an attempt on the part of a Captain Rhodes, of the barque Meanor, from Sydney, to dupe the natives out of a tract of , extending from Port to the northern side of Ahuriri, in Hawke's Bay, and from the northern bank of the river Wairoa to the north of Table Cape. For this embracing a coast line of about 160 miles, and intended no doubt to extend as far into interior as may be property to the amount of about 160/. has been paid to the natives. A list of the property I have in my posseession. From the circunstance I doubt not but that is Excellency will take measures to set a side the whole but in addition to fact, I am prepared to establish, first, that a large of the land was bought from persons who had no interest in it; secondly, that those person signing the deeds king proprietors of the land, did not understand their thirdly, that some of who signed the deeds expressed their disapproval after their signature was given, by to receive the payment ; fourthly, that the most body of the proprietors was not consulted in the matter, the parchase having been made board ship, and expreced their most decided disapprobation.

I am,

To Wdloughby Esq.   (signed)   Waliam

(4.)

No, 35.
Governor Hobson
to the Secretary of
State for the Colo-
15 Oct 1840.

Tiraran intends going to the Bay of Islands, in company with Captain Heald and party, and you will therefore, no doubt, have an opportunity of seeing him. I have every reason to believe that he is well disposed towards the Government. I saw Parore the other day, who said that he should do the same as Tiraran, which I believe is the sentiment of all the chiefs in this quarter.

Moping that his Excellency will soon be restored to perfect health, and praying that that Lord directs all the important affairs of this infant colony.

I remain,

Willoughby Shortland, Esq.   (signed)   James Buller.

(3.)

Her Majesty's Ship Herald,

Sir,   Coromandel Harbour, 6 May 1840.

I AVAIL myself of the opportunity afforded by the expected departure of a vessel this morning for the Bay of Islands, to report to your Excellency our proceedings since Her Majesty's ship Herald sailed from the outer harbour of the Bay of Islands, on the morning of the 20th ultime. The following day the ship having anchored at Coromandel Harbour, Mr. Williams and myself went on shore at Mr. Webster's establishment, in order to arrange means for securing the attendance of the native chiefs, and fix a day for them to sign the treaty a native was also dispatched overland to Mercury Bay, with letters from Captain Nias and myself, to Mr. Stewart, requesting him to pilot the Herald, and to notify to the native chiefs at Mercury Bay one object in visiting the coast, and to request their attendance with himself at Mr. Webster's establishment, on Monday the 4th instant, that day having been fixed upon for the assembling of the natives. Mr.Stewart's answer I herewith inclose.

On the day appointed, Captain Nias, with several officers of Her Majesty's ship, together with Mr. Williams and myself, went on shore about 11 o'clock, but no native chiefs lied at that hour assembled. A considerable number of Europeans appear, however,to have been attracted by the report of the expected meeting; subsequently a number of natives did assemble, with six chiefs of different tribes, and after a variety of objections on their part, we succeeded in obtaining the signatures of four; one of these being the principal chief of the district, the celebrated Horeta, of Bamin's Island notoriety. The principal orator, an old chief named Piko, and another of inferior note, refused to sign, alleging as a reason, that they wanted more time to assemble the different tribes of the Thames district, and to consult with them, when they would also sign; but that he could for himself, see no necessity in placing himself under the dominion of any prince or queen, who might govern the white men if she pleased, as he was desirous of continuing to govern his own tribe. It was evident they had heard of the occurrences at the bay, respecting the murder of an Englishman by a native, and although he did not complain of the injustice of the proceedings, it was evident they had some weight with him, and that he had been tutored by some Europeans. Mr. Williams explained the treaty ; its object in consequence of the increasing influx of strangers ; and that the claim of pre–emption on the part of Her Majesty was intended to check their imprudently selling their lands without sufficiently benefiting themselves, or obtaining a fair equivalent. It was to me very apparent also that a trifling present was expected in payment for his adhesion, but, in their exalted idea of the Queen's munificence, they at first all refused the present of a blanket, which was offered after their signatures had been obtained, and which I wished them to consider was a gift personally from myself.

It is I conceive much to be regretted that objects of ordinary traffic between the natives and Europeans should have been selected as presents for the tribes on the coast; and I fear, therefore, that the blankets, pipes and tobacco with which I have been furnished, must only he employed in payment for messengers, &c. Sent with letters to the different tribes Forage caps and scarlet or blue cloaks would have been highly appreciated. At a bivouac of natives which I visited, I observed no less than six double-barrelled guns outside one of their huts; and those which I examined, appeared to be in excellent order and of a very superior quality. Mr. Priest, of the Church mission, whom I saw yesterday, having told that a number of influential chiefs were near his station, I have requested Mr. Williams to write to each of them a copy of my communication, which, with its translation, I herewith inclose, as it will explain the object I have in view. I ordered a dinner to be prepared, consisting

fresh pork and potatoes, for the natives who assembled on Monday; and I have further, at the recommendation of Captain Nias, chartered the schooner of Mr. Bateman, to convey me to Tauranga and Opitiko, on the same terms as when engaged by your Excellency for a similar object, prior to her being driven on shore in this harbour. The expense attending this arrangement being unavoidable, it will, I trust, meet with your Excellency's approval. Captain Bateman has hitherto been of great service to us, from his knowledge of the coast, and Captain Ninaspeaks of his intelligence as a volunteer pilot in the highest terms.

I have, &c.

To His Excellency Captain Hobson, R.N.   (signed)   T. H. Bunbury.

Lieutenant-governor, &c. &c. &c.   Major, 80th Hegiment.