In the case where there was an Instrument in English and in the native Language, did the Chief keep either of the Parts after the Purchase was completed?
- I am not sure of that; the Missionaries had one. I did not see the Document given to the Natives. They might have one.
But you saw them sign it?
- Yes, I did; both the native and the English one. I was capable then of reading both myself. That is the usual Plan of selling Land. They consider it quite European Property after that; but they wish to have it cultivated, and to employ their Party.
Are you to be understood that the Native, after having made an Agreement for selling Land, considers that he has absolutely parted with it altogether, if the Purchaser proceeds to cultivate it?
- Yes. He considers that it is of more Use to him then than it was before. He is well aware that he cannot cultivate it himself.
If the Purchaser does not proceed fairly to cultivate it, then he thinks he has a Right to sell it again?
- Yes. I have been informed, not only by Natives but Europeans, that the Land at Tamaka had been purchased several years before; but the Purchaser not having used the Land, the Party considered him or them as dead.
In the Case of the Son of the Chief who sold Land wishing to sell it again, he brought back the Price his Father had received, and repaid it to the original Purchaser?
- Yes; that was on a small Scale; they would not be able to bring a large Payment; a small Island would be sold by the Chief only, others not uniting with him.
There is before the Committee a Petition to His late Majesty from the British Settlers, signed by many Persons connected with the Church Missionary Settlement, among others; do you know the Date of that?
- I signed it myself in November 1836; the Reverend Henry Williams brought it to me.
Were the Men employed at the Settlement you were originally at Slaves or Freemen?
- Some of them had been Slaves, and some were Freemen.
Did you receive them from the Chiefs, or hire them themselves?
- The Rev. Mr. Brown hired them, except Two or Three of the Natives. Those I hired I took from their Friends. I was to give them a Pair of Trowsers or a Sailor's Shirt every Month, and to board them, and to give them a few other small Payments, such as Tobacco Pipes, and a few other Things, if I felt so disposed.
There was not a Price paid to the Person from whom you hired him, but to the Individual?
- No.
To whom was the Payment at the End of the Month made?
- To the Individual who worked.
Did you give any Remuneration to the Person from whom you hired him?
- No; I went and engaged him myself, and a very few Words were sufficient; Five Minutes was quite sufficient. He will consider himself engaged, and come to work the next Morning.
How many Men did you employ?
- Two or Three of my own, and Sixteen of the Rev. Mr. Brown.
How many of those were Slaves?
- I think there was only One Slave.
Did you pay that Slave the same as the Freeman?
- He left shortly after my Arrival ; he had been purchased some Time previous;
