J. L. Nicholas Esq. is called in, and delivers in the following Paper, which is read; viz.
Copy of the First Grant of Land in New Zealand to the Church Missionary Soceity.
Know all Men to whom these Presents shall come, That I, Ahoodee O Gunna, King of Rangee Hoo in the Island of New Zealand, have, in consideration of Twelve Axes to me in hand now paid and delivered by the Reverend Samuel Marsden of Parramatta in the Territory of New South Wales, given, granted, bargained, and sold, and by this present Instrument do give, grant, bargain, and sell, unto the Committee of the Church Missionary Society for Africa and the East, instituted in London in the Kingdom of Great Britain, and to their Heirs and Successors, all that Piece and Parcel of Land situate in the District of Hoshee in the Island of New Zealand, bounded on the South Side by the Bay of Tippoona and the Town of Rangee Hoo, on the North Side by a Creek of fresh Water, and on the West by a public Road into the Interior, together with all the Rights, Members, Privileges, and Appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold to the aforesaid Committee of the Church Missionary Society for Africa and the East, instituted in London in the Kingdom of Great Britain, their Heirs, Successors, and Assigns, for ever, clear and freed from all Taxes, Charges, Impositions, and Contributions whatsoever, as and for their own absolute and proper Estate for ever.
In testimony whereof I have to these Presents, thus done and given, set my Hand at Hoshee in the Island of New Zealand, this Twenty-fourth day of February in the Year of Christ One thousand eight hundred and fifteen.
Thos Kendall.,
J. L. Nicholas
Signatures to the Grant,
At the Bottom of the Deed one of the Chiefs drew a complete Representation of the Amoco or Tattooing of the Grantor's Countenance, to which the latter set his Mark, which served as the ratifying Symbol of the Agreement.
