Is the Chieftainship, and the consequent Right to the Possession of Lands, hereditary?
- Decidedly. It is in consequence of the Wars. If they take any Chiefs they become Slaves; but if they marry some of the Chieftains Relations, some of the chief Women, they are then denominated as Chieftains; and their Consent must be given so far as to sell any Portion of the Land which has been conquered.
The Lands are held by a Sort of feudal Tenure?
- By something very much of that Kind.
If an Englishman purchases Land, does the Chief expect him to assist him in any War?
- Not at all; he is esteemed as a Chief on his own Account; he is treated as a Chief.
He is considered as a Chief, and not a Chieftain or Second Chief?
- Just so. Mr. Henry Williams, particularly, is considered as a Principal Chief; and I may say the Missionaries, generally.
They consider them as invested with the Power of Chiefs; making War, for instance?
- They consider that he can call upon the English Government, and send for Soldiers there, at any Time; indeed the Missionaries hold out a slight Idea that they can send home, in case of any Emergency, that they may not consider them as cast away—they give that Idea out; for instance, they say if you will not do so and so, we will write home, and have Power here to set it to rights; as much as to say, Government will take cognizance of any Injury committed on our Property.
Your Evidence applies principally or entirely to the Northern Part of the North Island?
- Yes; the Southern Island, I understand, from what I have heard, is very little known; I have not visited any part of that.
Do the Natives attribute the Venereal Disease to their Intercourse with Europeans?
- They do.
It is stated in Print that even the Children of Natives, under the Care of the Missionaries, have been swept away in that Manner; are you aware of that Fact?
- I have heard of that since I was there ; but I have not met with any Fact, and could not hear of any such Fact. When I was there, there had been no Instance of Europeans dying there; but since I have left, Mr. Davies's Wife has died. The Missionaries have been there nearly Thirty Years, and the Natives particularly spoke of that, and drew my Attention to it several Times, that they thought that Europeans had wonderful Health, and their Constitution was admirably adapted to the Country; but that I attribute entirely to the Mildness of the Climate; it is very mild.
It is a healthy Climate, generally?
- Very healthy.
Also, as far as the Missionaries are concerned, are they healthy?
- Yes; they are cleanly in their Habits; just as Persons in the middling Classes here.
The Witness is directed to withdraw.
Mr. John Flatt is called in, and examined as follows:
When did you go first out to New Zealand?
- I arrived in New Zealand in December 1834.
How long did you remain?
- Till May 1837.
