Do you think that where they have resumed the Land they resumed it on any Principle?
- They had some Claim to it; but they did not balance the Claims to it much, I believe.
Are you able to give any Information as to the Interior of the Land One hundred Miles from the Sea Coast?
- I only went across from Hokianga to Waimate; I went up the Kawa-Kawa on one Journey, and to Karakara, and back to Hokianga. A Person who came in the Ship with us had been to Kiapara; he told me it was a magnificent Country; that the River was navigable for One hundred Miles, and one of the Missionaries has a Purchase there, Mr. Baker of Manahia.
When you spoke of the Propriety of making a Reserve of Land for the Natives, are you aware whether the Island affords Land enough to make that Reserve, and still to afford Land for Occupation by a good many Europeans?
- Yes, certainly. The Population, I have understood, at Kiapara is very trifling; for One hundred Miles there are not above One hundred People; it is a very productive Soil if it were well cultivated.
The Witness is directed to withdraw.
Mr.J. D. Tawell.
Mr. JOhn Downing Tawell is called in, and further examined as follows:
You are a Surgeon?
- I am.
Did you visit New Zealand in your way from New South Wales lately?
- I did.
At what Time was it; and how long did you remain?
- We arrived on the 16th of September, and left on the 19th of November last.
You were there therefore more than Two Months?
- Yes.
That would be the Spring there?
- Yes.
What State of Weather had you when you were there?
- A general Prevalence of exceedingly fine Weather, with the Wind from the South-westward.
Did you reside in one place, or move about?
- I was a good deal about the Tributaries of the Hokianga.
Where did you reside?
- In the Ship; but I visited all the Places round.
Were you connected with either of the Religious Societies there?
- In no respect whatever.
Had you an Opportunity of much Intercourse with the Natives during your Stay?
- Very extensive indeed, for the Time.
Were you Surgeon of a Vessel?
- No; I took my Passage at Sydney with a view of following the ordinary Pursuits that would Interest a Man of Science. The ordinary Time of the Vessel's sailing from Sydney being about December, I thought I might pass the Time profitably in New Zealand. I left this Country Three Years ago, in an infirm State of Health, being sent there for my Health.
Did you acquire a Knowledge of the Language of the New Zealanders?
- Not at all, beyond the ordinary negative and affirmative Terms.
Not so as to converse?
- Not at all.
Had you an Opportunity of seeing their Mode of the Cultivation of Land?
- Yes; in visiting them I had Occasion to notice that.
