- I believe he had some other Person as an Interpreter; but he drew out his own Documents.
You think, in all Cases of which you have any Cognizance, somebody in the Nature of an Interpreter acted?
- Yes.
Do you come to the Conclusion that the Chief understood what was the Meaning of the Instrument?
- Thoroughly; and he would not allow any other Person to purchase that Spot of Land, or any Part of it.
Do you know whether he was aware that he had made over that Land to the Person who purchased it?
- Yes. I have heard him say that the Land he had sold to the English was not any more the Land of the Natives; it was for the English; and it was the Case at the Waimati, at the Purchase of the Missionary Farm. The Chief called their Attention to that Point; he told them distinctly it was never to return to them again, or their Sons, or their Children after them.
You think that was made known by one of the Natives to the other Natives?
- Yes; by the principal Chief to the assembled Chiefs there.
Have you any Knowledge whether there was any Dissatisfaction shown by other Parties?
- No; they were all satisfied. Every one must be satisfied before the Land is secured; every Relative must be satisfied of the Purchase being thoroughly understood, and the Land altogether paid for adequately to their Views, before they concede to the English People, or it is considered as secure.
Are you aware whether there have been any Instances of the Natives seeking to regain Possession of the Land so sold?
- I have heard there has been, but I cannot substantiate it; that was with regard to one of the Islands in the Bay of Islands. It was supposed the Chief was imposed upon by some means or other; that some Trick or Stratagem was entered into to get it from him by some Person, and that Land was taken away again in consequence of that being discovered.
You have spoken of a European Population, exclusive of the Missionaries; what was the Occupation of those who were living at all in Houses, or near the Water?
- They sold various Things necessary for Shipping, depending upon the Ships to purchase them; Ropes and Anchors, and various little Things. The Ships there wanted what are called here Ship Chandlery; there were Three or Four of that Description of People at the Bay of Islands when I was there; they held as it were a middle Station between the other Class and the Missionaries. At the same Time there is no Dependance placed upon their Opinions by the Natives, who are very quick in their Perception of Character. They examine the Countenance particularly when a Person enters their Place; and, according to their Judgment, they give their Verdict at once, and call one after a Sort of Name, and another another Name; one resembling a Dog, another a Cat, and so on.
By way of giving an Estimate of their Character?
- Yes.
In going through the Country did you observe any large Portion of it cultivated?
- Very small Portions, indeed. Cowa Cowa is a fine Spot; that Plain is almost entirely cultivated by the Natives into Gardens for Potatoes; various Kinds of Potatoes. They have Three Kinds of Potatoes, or rather Four; Three Sorts of the Sweet Potatoes; One indigenous, and Two others brought there; what they call the White Men's Potatoe, which is one Kind, another the common Potatoe, which we have here; but the Spots of Cultivation are very small; perhaps Half an Acre of Ground cultivated in various Spots. The large Bulk of the Land is not cultivated; it is either in wild Fern or Forest.
Does it appear to you there was much uncultivated Land fit for Cultivation?
- There is a great deal fit for Cultivation; but about the Bay of Islands the Land is such that they are not able to cultivate it; it is too dry and hilly. At theTop
