CORRESPONDENCE BETWERN THE TAMAKI SETTLERS AND THE GOVERNMENT.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVI, Issue 1243, 12 August 1859, Page 1 (Supplement)

CORRESPONDENCE BETWERN THE TAMAKI SETTLERS AND THE GOVERNMENT.

Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 19th November, 18J8. Sir,— l do myself the honor to forward enclosed copy of a letter addressed to me by the Deputy Commissioner of Waste Land at Auckland, shewing that, excepting certain blocks of land situated at the Bay of Islands (with which it is not at present proposed to deal), but one block of land, over which the native title has been extinguished, is now available for survey and disposal by the Provincial GoTernraent. It appears almost certain that within a short period a large number of immigrants, entitled to receive land, will arrive at Auckland. Unless immediate and active measures are taken to complete the purchase of lnrge blocks of land, which have been for a* long time subjects of negotiation with the native owners, it will be impossible for the Provincial Government to fulfil the engagements made on its behalf with the immigrants, and thus . much injury will be done to the Province, and a great amount of hardship and injustice will be imposed on those persons who come out in full reliance on the public faith. Under these circumstances I beg leave respectfully, but earnestly, to urge upon your consideration the necessity of moving the Native Land Purchase, to increased activity in order to the ■peedy completion of the purchase of those blocks, the outer boundaries of which have been already surveyed, as well as to the further acquisition of land available for settlement in any part of the Province in which it can be obtained. I have, &c, &c, (Signed} J. Williamson, Superintendent. The Honble. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

— w '" "Waste Lands' Office, Auckland, 18th November, 1858. j Sir,— l beg to bring lender the notice of your honor the circumstance that the quantity of land now at the disposal of the Provincial Government , is insufficient to satisfy the demandi that will be ! nmde> Excepting those blocks of land lying contiguous to the proposed Kiri Kid. township, which it has been considered advisable to leave lest the disposal of them might interfere witl>the intended operations of the General Government, there remains but one block on which subdivisions preparatory to sale, has not been commenced. Before the expiration of three months all the available land contained in the blocks over which the native title has been extinguished, will probably be surveyed into farms and ready for settlement ; but the extent will, I apprehend, fall short of the quantity required. I submit the above for your Honor's consideration in order that such steps may be taken to place fresh blocks of land at the disposal of«fcKe Provincial Government, as may be thoughtdnost advisable. I have, &c, &c, (Signed) James Baber. Deputy Waste Land Commissioner. His Honor the Superintendent.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 28th January, 1859. Sir,— l have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter, No. 158, of the 19th November last, forwarding the copy of a letter address^, to you by the Deputy Commissioner of Waste Lafcds at Auckland. In reference to the allegation made by the Deputy Commissioner of Waste Lands in his letter above referred to, that but one block of land, over which the native title has been extinguished, 4s now avail- j able for survey and disposal of the Provincial Government, I beg to enclose for your Honor's information the copy of a memorandum on the subject by the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, to whom your letter and its enclosure were referred. By direction of his Excellency the Governor I have to request that your Honor will be good enough to cause a. Return to be furnished shewing the estimated number of acres on the Ist instant, in the Province of Auckland, over which the native title has been extinguished, and which has been handed over for sale and disposal ; and the estimated number of acres now in the hands of the Provincial Government. I have, &c, (Signed) Henky John Tanched. [For the Colonial Secretary.] His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland.

It appears to me that there must be some misapprehension as to the Provincial Government having no blocks of land to operate on. In 1857, 119,095 acres were proclaimed in the Government Gazette, and of this extent there are several blocks of good land in the Kaipara district alone which have not been touched by the Provincial Government, such as the Tatararake, of 12,000 acres ; Okahu, 19,000 , Waikiekie, 12,000 ; Toka toka and Wakahara, 7,000. During the year ISSB, 277,800 acres were proclaimed; of this extent 86,000 acres, near the North Cape, is > more adapted for grazing than for subdivision or settlement. There are, however, in this vicinity, two blocks, of 16,000 acres, of good volcanic •oil, the Otengi and "Wharemafu, well adapted for settlement, and situated beyond the limits of lands required under the Bay of Islands Settlement Act, 1858. There are other blocks, in different parts of the Province, that I have not adverted to, independent of 22,000 acres recently handed orer for proclamation from this Department. I cannot, therefore, conceive how the statement has been arrived at, that there is only one block, over which the native title has been extinguished, available for surrey and disposal by the Provincial Government. (Signed) Donald McLean. 25th Jonuary, 1859.

Auckland, May 26th, 1859. Sir, — The Settlers of this Province are labouring under difficulties which apparent^ might be obviated under the 4th clause of the Waste Land Act, 18.58. Impressed with the idea, we had determined to avail ourselves of the provision ; but objections have arisen to the fulfilment of our plan, that cause us to ; direct the attention of the General Government to the disadvantages under which we labour, and request their assistance. ( "We have the honor to enclose a letter addressed to the Honorable the Colonial Secretary on. this subject. We trust, after perusing the enclosed letter, your Honor will approve the course we have adopt' ed, and strengthen our application by your recommendation. We have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servants, (Signed) M. G. Nixon. "W. Mason. Thos. Shepherd. Fked. E. Brathwaite. John Grtgo. Albin Martin. Thos. Cawkweii. J. Hargkeaves. Evert Maclean. His Honor the Superintendent.

81. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, May, 31st, 1859. Sir, — I do myself the honor to transmit herewith copy of a letter from certain land-holders and stockowners resident in the vicinity of Auckland, together with its enclosure, a letter to your address, praying the aid of His Excellency's Government in the accomplishment of a project for the acquisition of land in the Thames District under the provisions of the 4th clause of the "Auckland Waste Land Act 1858." The high character and standing of the gentlemen whose names are appended to those documents may be taken a* the guarantee of the accuracy of the facts stated by them, and their long experience in agricultural and pastoral .pursuits will obtain for their opinions attentive consideration. One of the object! contemplated by the Provincial

Council, in making provision for the granting of j land directly, under particular circumstances, and upon fixed conditions, to per»ons who have been instrumental in securing the extinguishment of the native title, were to enlist the interest of individuals having influence with the Natives in the general work of acquiring land, and to provide the means of meeting special requirements which might arise. I am not informed whether these gentlemen or any ot them are possessed of inflnence with'the Natives of the Thames District, but the case of the flock -owners, as stated by them, appears to be one of special urgency, tnd I beg leave, therefore to request that, if there are no considerations of policy which, in the case of the Thames Natives, would render such a step imprudent, His Excellency's Government will afford to the present applicants facilities for the prosecution of an enterprise which , if successful, may have very beneficial and important results. I have, &c, &c. (Signed) J. "Williamson, Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Auckland, May 24th, 1859. Sir, — The Agricultural community of this Province have long felt the inadequate and unsatisfactory supply of good land available for advantageous settlement. Difficulties have arisen, and nre increasing to such an extent as to render it imperative on the settlers to enquire— How are our increasing stock to be fed ? Where is the land to produce wheat and ofther necesraries for our present population ? During this year many of our stockholders have' been compelled to feed their sheep and cattle on potatoes. Two months after harvest the whole of the wheat grown by the Bettlers of this Province was consumed. In three months there -will be an increase of forty thousand lambs ; some of the flock-holders have not allowed the lams to run with their young ewes, because they could not have found sufficient food for their increase. Many of our cattle are killed at two years old when they could, with considerably increased profit, be grazed another year, if there was a sufficient supply of grass. And further, no flock -masters within this Pro« vince have attempted a flock of wethers ; they have been compelled to part with this source of profit to the butchers, before the sheep were two years old, to make room for their coming increase. The land hitherto acquired from the Natives is insufficient in quantity, indifferent in quality, and quite inadequate to the increasing wants of the public. These difficulties having forced themselves on our notice, some of the oldest settlers felt it imperative to seek remedy (in the first instance; under the 4th clause of the "Waste Lands Act of 1858,', which sets foith " That it shall also be lawful for the Governor, if he shall think fit, within three months after the extinguishment of the native title in any land, to sell and dispose of the same, or any part thereof, to the person or persons at whose instance such extinguishment shall have been effected, for a not less than after the rate of ten shillings an acre, with the addition of the price paid to the natives for the release of their rights in the land sold and the cost of surveying thereof.,' In order to accomplish this end, a party was organised to 'proceed up the Thames, as far as Wai-wero-wero, examining the banks on both sides of the river , having done this, to cross over to the East Coast and examine the country between Tauranga and the East Cape ; to return across the country to the Thames and proceed to the Mata-mata, there to divide, one half returning by the Thames, the other Half by the best overland route they could find ; the objects requited being good land, a port with easy communication to Auckland, an-l an overland route for cattle, without any consideration as to distance, provided the other objects \\ere attainable. Our attention was directed to the Thames District, Ist ; from its geographical position in immediate connection with thehaibour of Auckland. And 2ndly. ; 6hould it piove a riTer navigable for steamboats, and the land on its banks adapted for agricultural purposes, there must be room for a large population. We were led to suppose, from information collected from persons who had visited this district, that the banks of the liver were low, and the whole country was composed of impassable swamps, totally unadapted for agricultural purposes. Our party report that, after proceeding two days up this magnificent river, they were agreeably sur- J prised to find a country containing from 150,000 to j 200,000 acres of superior land— level and dry— con- j taining grassy plains, sufficient in their present state to carry large quantities of sheep and cattle. Here then was the object of their search, within ] a journey of two days by steam, and three days , overland to Auckland. On enquiry they found j this immense plain of excellent land held by a few j natives, who made no use whatever of the greater j portion, yet unwilling to sell an acre. They were told that the natives had parted with the shadow | of the land to the King— they could not tell ; that it was useless prosecuting the remaining portion of the proposed journey, for the natives, from the East to the West Coast, including all the Waikato and Lake districts, as well as the Thames, had decided not to sell to the Europeans, but they were willing to lease. We cannot dismiss this subject without expressing our deep regret that former Governrrents had not extinguished the native title over a large portion of this district, which we do not hesitate to state must become, from its position and quality of land, the granary of the province of Auckland. Setting apart the necessities above alluded to, we feel bound to direct the attention of the Government to the desirability of obtaining a footing, as speedily as possible, in some part of this valuable district. We are informed there is a portion of the east bank of the Thames that may be purchased, commencing at the Hot Springs, near Te Aro, and extending to a brook called Koha, varying in width from about two to three miles. It belongs to the Nata Meno tribe, but Taria has a claim. Should the Government deem it desirable to assist us with their influence in the purchase of this block of land, under the 4th clause of the Waste Land Act of 1858, we are willing to become the pioneers in opening up this district, and will at once settle on the land. We are further stimulated 'to prosecute some course to enable us to feed more stock at less expense, that we maybe in a position to compete with our neighbours in the Southern Pro\inces, who possess advantages for feeding sheep that will, with the assistance of steam communication, tend, in a short time, under existing circumstances, to drive tHe settlers of the Auckland province out of their own markets — the large quantities of. natural grass runs that they are enabled to obtain at a small annual sum for their sheep to graze on, leave us without a chance in competition, unless we can obtain good and cheap land in sufficient quantity. There is no lack of argument that might have been used in support of our position ; but we thought it better simply to state the facts that forced upon your oldest settlers the necessity for going back. Provision for this course on lands calculated for the purpose hare been so long neglected, that we were under the impression that the quality of land in this province was inferior. It has been observed by men of experience here— it is very odd ; but you cannot find a piece of land of equal quality extending over fifty acres, unless it is land of the very worst description. This hypothesis is now cast to the winds. Practical men have seen and declared there are are tens of thousands of acres of good land of equal quality within three days journey of Auckland, and that they will no longer continue satisfied 'o occupy the motley patch es hereto provided for their use. Sheep are arriving from the South, and arrangements have been made for bullocks to arrive from Sydney in our Auckland markets, 'at an»l ready for the butcher. These have been grazed on lands pro- ■ ducing natural grass, and held in large quantit ies at a nominal rent. How can we who are confined to a small. space, compelled to occupy land that has risen in the market from ten to fifty and even one hundred pounds the acre— how can we compete with our neighbours who do not pay in the, shape of rent an hundredth part of the common interest of the money invested i in preparing our land for grass. i | We therefore most respectfully, but earnestly, J

beg to impress on the Government the necessity for immediately taken some step that will enable the settlers with facility to obtain land in sufficient quantities, of good quality at a moderate cost. We have stated our opinions, and shown the necessity for some immediate provision for our stock. If the Government cannot offer settlers some remediable course, they will, however repugnant to their feelings, endeavour to evade the law, and accept the native offer to lease. They cannot continue to occupy lands of a high. rental .value, and compete with men who graze their cattle for little or nothing. I To maintain our position, settlers must be supplied with good land on easy terms, or they ,must choose one of these alternatives, viz : — To lease lands from the natives, To leave the Province, Or to remain and be ruined. We may be told that all our arguments only tend to prove we are overstocked with cattle and sheep, which could be supplied from other places at less cost than we produce them; we should turn our attention to the growth of grain. This has been tried, but the quality of the land hitherty supplied us by the Government, is not adapted to this purpose. Our average crops of wheat do not exceed twelve bushels to the acre. Our lands in a high state of cultivation will not carry two white crops. •Hence the reason for our settlers endeavouring to lay their lands* down in grass as quickly as they can. Tr c lands which we have seen on the Thames are adapted to the growth of grain as well as grass. Some of it, under native cultivation, with only one*ploughing each year, has produced wheat for four years in succession, and the samples of wheat produced from the iourth years' s crop is superior to any we have seen in New Zealand. Had the Government extinguished the native title, and placed the valley of the 1 hames at the disposal of the early settlers, we should not now gee vessels ai riving from other colonies, laden with wheat for our present consumption. And, further, we prognosticate that in two, or at the most three years from the present time, if the Government assist us ii. the prosecution of our proposed plan, and will make the necessary provision to keep up a supply of land equal to the demand that will be created in this district, all the difficulties now felt and complained of by us will be removed. We cannot close this communication without reference to a party now actually engaged, and strenuously exerting themselves, in favour of direct purchase from the natives. This movement has, in a measure, been caused by the circumstances alluded to by us, and we do not doubt that many of the settlers will be induced to join this party, unless some better plan for obtaining good land can be pointed out. At present we, as a body, are opposed to ditect purchase lrom the natives. We feel that the course suggested by the 4th clause of the Waste Land Act is better calculated to meet the present wants of the people. It would be more satisfactory to us and much less likely to lead to misunderstanding with the natives. There is at least a probability that an example set by so large a body of old settlers will meet with due encouragement from the public ; and should we be successful in our endeavours to carry out our present plan, we shall, at least, check for a time, if we do not prevent, what appears to us under exist- ! ing circumstances a most objectionable course. We have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servants, (Signed; M. G. Nixon, W. Mason, Thos. Shfpherd, John Grigg, Fred. E. Braithwaite, Albin Martin, Thomas Cawkwell. J. Hargreaves, Every Maclean. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

[92.] Superintendent's Office, Auckland, June 18th, 1859. Sir,— l have the honor to forward enclosed letter from Messrs. Nixon, Martin, and others, of date 16th instant. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) J. Williamson, Superintendent. The Honble. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

Auckland, June 16th, 1859. Sra,- Anxious to obtain a reply to our letter addressed to the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, on the 24th May last, we shall be obliged by your forwarding the enclosed. The promptness with which you forwarded our last communication to the General Government, appears by your letter addiessed to Major Nixon, for which we beg to tender your Honor our best thanks. We have the honor, &c, &c, &c, (Signed) M. G. Nixon, Albin Martin, Thomas Shepherd, John Grigo, Fred. E. Brathwaite, Wm, Mason. His Honor the Superintendent.

Auckland, June 16th, 1859. Siu,— Our difficulties aie accumulating, and unless strenuous efforts aro immediately made, the result to the Settlers of th : s Province will be seiious. Scab has broken out in three of our flocks, brought on in two of them by poverty of blood, caused through a scarcity of food. We trust you will not consider us too urgent, but the season has arrived to make what provison we can, in the preparation of our land for crops the ensuing year. These arrangements will in a great measure, depend on your answer to our communication of the 24th May. We are therefore anxiously waiting for your reply, and trust that it will not be delayed as the season is rapidly advancing. We have, &c , &c, &c, (Signed) M. G. Nixon, Albin Martin, Thomas Shepherd, John Gkigg, Fred. E. Bkathwaite, W. Masox. The Honble. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

[275.] Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 6th June, 1859. Sin,— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honour's letter, No. 81, of the 31st ultimo, covering a letter addressed to the Colonial Secretary, by certain land holders and stock owners, resident in the vicinity of Auckland, urging upon the attention of the Government, the importance of acquiring Native Land in the district of the Thames, and generally in the Province of Auckland. With a view to the consideration of this communication, I have to request that your Honour will at your eaily convenience, favour me with a return taked for, by the direction of His Excellency the Governor, in my letter of the 28th January last, shewing the estimated number of acres on the Ist of that month, in the Province of Auckland, over which the Native Title has been extinguished, and which have been handed over for sale and disposal, and the estimated number of acies in the hands ot the Provincial Government. (Signed) Henhy John Tanciied, for the Colonial Secretary. HU Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, i

[103.] Superintendent's Office, Auckland, July 11th, 1859. Sik,— Referring to your letters of date 6th June, ultimo, and No. 5 of date 28th January, ultimo,'requesting me to cause a return to be furnished to His Excellency the Gorernor, ahowing the esti-

mated number of ncres, on the Ist January ultimo, in the Province of Auckland, over which the Native Title has been extinguished, and which has been handed over for sale or disposal, and the estimated number of acres now in the hands < of the Provincial Government, I have the honor to forward enclosed a refiurn furnished by the Deputy Waste Lands Commissioner ; and also a return showing the proportion of said lands considered to be available for settlement. I have, &c, (Signed) J. Williamson, Superintendent. The Honble. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

[359.] Colonial Secretar's Office, Auckland, 28th July, 18-59. , Sir,— With reference to your Honor's letter of the 31st May last, covering a letter dated the 24th Mty last, from certain influential settlers in this Province on the subject of the want of available land for grazing and agricultural purposes, I have the honor to enclose a copy of a reply, of even date herewith, which I have written to those gentlemen. I have, &c, &c, (Signed) Henrt John Takcked, [For the Colonial Secretary.] Hit Honor the Superintendent, Auckland.

Colonial Secretary's Office, , Auckland. 28th July, 1859. Gentlemen, —l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated 24th May last, under cover of a letter from His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland, dated the 3 1st of the same month. The difficulties of the Auckland Graziers which areso forcibly described by you, arise mainly if not entirely, from the resistance latterly offered by the Native Tribes, South of Auckland, to further alienation of their territory. The problem is to discover how best this resistance, so prejudicial to every interest in the Colony, can be overcome without violation of the obligations which bind the British Government. This is as you are aware, no new question, suddenly arisen and presented for the first time by your communication. That there is within easy distance of the City of Auckland, a large quantity of fine land; that the natives are at present unwilling to part with it, that the event of it must seriously impede the progress of this part of the Colony, are facts patent to every one possessed of the slightest acquaintance with the subject. I need not therefore say that the question to which your communication relates ha* been anxiously condsidered by His Excellency and his advisers. It has been for some years past, and is at the present moment one ol the most important questions of the Colony. The best and only sure solution of this great difficulty is to be looked for in an altered state of feeling amongst the natives, signs of which are not wanting. Nevertheless the Government would gladly embrace any expedient which gave promise of accelerating a change so much to be desired. Impatient demonstrations on the part of the settlers are most injurious. So alto with regard to the

threats held out of the illegal occupation of Native Land, the Government is satisfied that sush attempts vfould result at once in individual losses and great public injury. , Your own proposal to net under the 4th section of the Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1858, has been under consideration. The Government m the fiist instance determined to delay Us reply, until the proTtsions of that act should have been confirmed, either by Her Majesty's assent to the Waste Lands Act, 1858, or by recurrence to the Waste Lands Act, 1854, hoping then to be able to give a definitive und practical reply. This hope has, however, been disappointed by the receipt by the last Mail, of a despatch from the Secretary of State, which bears very stiongly upon the subject of your proposal. His Exctjlency has directed the publication o1o 1 this despatch for general information, and I enclose a copy of the Gazette containing it in order that you may be informed of the present position of the question. I have, &c , &c, (Signed) Henry John Tancued, [For the Colonial Secretary.] Major Nixon, William Mason, Esq , and other Gentlemen signing the letter of 31st May, 1859, &c, &c, Auckland.

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