CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE "TABOOED" GROUND.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume 10, Issue 65, 10 July 1841, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE "TABOOED" GROUND.

Wellington, July 1, 1841. Sib, — We, the undersigned, appeal to you as the representative of Government in this district, on behalf of ourselves and others wishing to proceed to Wanganui and Taranaki. All communications between these places and Port Nicholson is at present entirely stopped, by a " taboo " laid on the road by the natives of Otaki. We trust that you, as Chief Magistrate, will not allow this proceeding on the part of the natives. £. Dorskt, H. Chorton, H. Mayers, William Bannister. To Michael Murphy, Esq. [Reply.] No. 41—58. Police Office, Port Nicholson, July 2, 1841. Gentlemen, — I have the hononr to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist July, complaining that all communication by land be tween this place and Wanganui and Taranaki is at present stopped, by a " taboo " laid on the beach by the natives of Otaki, and requesting that, as Chief Magistrate, I would not allow this proceeding on the part of the natives. In reply, I beg to inform you, that although. I deeply regret the inconvenience to which you and others are subjected in consequence of this interruption of communication with Wanganui and Taranaki, I have no power to interfere with what is an immemorial and recognized usage amongst the natives. It is probable that this and similar customs may become the subject of acts by the Legislative Council of the Colony, but until this is done, 1 can discover no grounds that would justify my interference. From the information I have collected on the subject, I gather, that the " taboo " has been laid on the beach in consequence simply of the death of a chief, and not from any desire to injure the English settlers in the country; to attempt violently to break through it therefore would probably excite feelings of hostility to the settlers, which would involve greater eventual inconvenience than any that can be experienced from a temporary interruption of communication, and might therefore be inexpedient, even if it were strictly legal. I have the hononr to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Michael Murphy, Chief Police Magistrate. To Messrs. Dorset, Churton, Mayers, &c. &c, Port Nicholson.