F—No. 3
40
CHARGE PREFERRED BY DR. FEATHERSTON
question is such now, that it is desirable it should be settled one way or the other before long, Natives in the District are being kept in constant excitement in consequence thereof. I have, &c, Robert Parris The Hon. C. W. Richmond, &c, &c.
No. 3. ME. PAEEIS TO ME. C. W. RICHMOND. New Plymouth, November 19th, 185f*. My Dear Sir,—The steamer having arrived two days earlier than was expected, lam disappointed in writing to the Governor respecting Teira's question as I promised to do, having beee beset for the last fortnight by Natives, on questions respecting Native leserves, which have not bees alienated. I am engaged all my spare time endeavouring to individualize the claims in the Puketotasa reserve, which 1 assure you, Sir, is an undertaking, there being so many distinct families interested in it. However, I hope to get through with it. Teira is now with me going into the question of his first instalment. He assembled the people at Waitara together this week, to see if any one would repudiate his right to the land, but theie was not one amongst them could do so. He explained to them that he was going to town to settle the question with me, and to fix the day for the first payment, which, when agreed upon, he would return and inform them the day he should take it. Wm. King uas absent from Waitara stopping at a place about two miles therefrom, there having been some unpleasantness among them, respecting the King question, to which Wm. King professes to be opposed. A fortnight ago two Natives from Kawhia on their way to Ngatiruanui, called at Waitara, and left privately a King's flag, with some Natives who are favourable to the cause, which on being discovered was warmly repudiated by Wm. King, who accused the people of deceiving him, and threatened to leave for Waikanae (too good to be realized). Teira went to Wm. King, on leaving to come to town, and had a very friendly interview with him. He told him what he was going to do, and explained that he had done nothing privately, but that the opposition had. (Meaning their private correspondence, with Waikato, soliciting support for the opposition.) 1 propose paying an instalment next week, and I trust His Excellency will not think I have unnecessarily delayed doing so, for I assure you, Sir, it is a matter that gives me great anxiety «f mind on Teira's account. I have been hoping the people might be led to see the inconsistency of their opposition to Teira and his supporters, whose claims 1 am more than ever convinced, are just. I have, &c, Robeet Parkis. The Hon. C. W. Richmond, &c, &c, &c.
No. 4. ME. PAEEIS TO ME. C. W. EICHMOND. New Plymouth, 16th February, 1860. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your lettet of the 25th ultimo, conveying instructions to proceed with the survey of Teira's land at Waitara without delay. I hope it will not appear to His Excellency's Government, that there has been any unnecessary delay in this matter, on account of the work not having been proceeded with before, the reason for which I will endeavour to explain, and trust it will justify the course I have adopted. The determination of the Government in this matter having been made very public, together with the usual exsggeration?, a complete state of excitement was produced throughout the district, so much so that some of the Natives were positively proposing to burn their wheat crops. 1 was engaged for many days going amongst them explaining and reconciling them to the true facts of the case. At the time I received my instructions, a party of Natives (about forty) who crossed over from Arapawa to Kapiti were on their way to this place overland, to join a party who came in a vessel; these people are friends of Teira's, who requested me to defer the work until they arrived, for fear the Ngatiruanuis should obstruct their passage through that district. They arrived on the 10th instant. On the 11th instant, a party of Ngatiruanuis (about fifty) arrived at the Town Pa, on their way to Waikato to attend a meeting of the Kingites. They sent for me to go to the Pa, which I did, and had several hours' discussioa on the subject of Teira's land, and the King movement. Upon the former question they were much more reasonable than I expected ; but on the latter I found they entertain very dangerous ideas. They believe they shall reclaim the Sovereignty of New Zealand. I considered it to be my duty to be firm with them, I told them the Soveieignty was vested in the Queen of England, and that they would yet regret ever forming a compact for the purpose of reclaiming it.
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