Page:Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the present state of the Islands of New Zealand.pdf/62

J.B.Montefiore, Esq.

What Ceremony took place when this Land was conveyed to you?

The Line of Demarcation was burnt out, and that which was granted was made sacred or tabooed to me; I have no Doubt it is so now.

Did the Chief seem to understand that you contemplated a mercantile Establishment there?

Yes, perfectly; I left a large Quantity of Trade, and I left a Trader there; they perfectly understand these Matters.

Did you go at all into the Interior?

I did; I made several Excursions, and placed myself entirely under their Protection.

You placed Confidence in them?

Yes, quite so; I used to give them my Fowling-piece charged.

From Kaffea Harbour to what Place did you go?

We then intended to make for a Place called Terinaha, where there is a most beautiful Mountain, clothed almost all the Year through with Snow, standing several Thousand Feet above the Level of the Sea, but a very bad Harbour. The Captain had been there the previous Voyage, and had lost Two Cables and an Anchor; and we then made for Entry Island in Cook's Straits. The Appearance of Mount Egmont was truly splendid.

The Paper you have produced amounts to a Certificate by White Men?

Yes, and by Mr. Arthur Kemmis; he took the Tour with me. I chartered the Ship, and took him as a Companion.

He is connected with the Crown Solicitor in Ireland?

He is of the same Family.

The Paper is read as follows:

“Church Missionary House, 28th October 1837.

“I do hereby certify, that in my Presence a Piece of Land, about One Acre and One Half of an Acre to Two Acres in Extent, was allotted and virtually granted to Mr. Joseph Barrow Montefiore, according to the Form of granting Land in New Zealand; that is, it was made “tabu” or sacred, and the Line of Demarcation burnt out. I also certify, that the under-mentioned described Land was granted by Haboguea, a Chief, the same forming Part of his Possessions; as well as that a House or Store was to be by his Request built thereon for the Use and Purposes (jointly with the Land allotted) of the said J. Barrow Montefiore.

“Arthur Kemmis,”

“Witness, John Billing jun.”

“The above is a Sketch of the Outline of the Point on which the said Allotment has been granted, together with the Bank of the River to the Westward of it. Entering the River Wyharigig from the Westward, and steering East, the said Point is the Third on the Southern Bank, about Three Miles from the River’s Mouth. In Shape it resembles the form of a Gunner's Quoin, and is very steep, particularly facing the Channel of the River, and has a remarkable Slate-coloured sandy Appearance nearly to its Summit. On the Eastern Side of the said Point is the afore-mentioned Allotment, containing about