376 NEW Z E A LAND. 



obtained. The natives placed much confidence in him, believing him 

 to be disinterested. He became a witness to the document, and 

 informed me, when speaking of the transaction, that it was entirely 

 through his influence that the treaty was signed. 



The Lieutenant-Governor installed himself, confirmed the appoint- 

 ments of a host of government officers, and the whole machinery, that 

 had been long prepared, was put in motion. Proclamations were 

 issued by him, extending his authority over all the English residents 

 on both islands ! and it was considered by the Englishmen as good as 

 law, though far otherwise by the other foreigners. After this, the 

 Lieutenant-Governor proceeded to the district of the Thames River, 

 or Hauaki, in the Herald, for the purpose of procuring a similar 

 cession of the country; but before this could be consummated, he was 

 attacked with paralysis, and the Herald was obliged to depart for 

 Sydney. 



So far as the chiefs understand the agreement, they think they 

 have not alienated any of their rights to the soil, but consider it. only 

 as a personal grant, not transferable. In the interview I had with 

 Pomare, I was desirous of knowing the impression it had made upon 

 him. I found he was not under the impression that he had given up 

 his authority, or any portion of his land permanently ; the latter he 

 said he could not do, as it belonged to all his tribe. Whenever this 

 subject was brought up, after answering questions, he invariably spoke 

 of the figure he would make in the scarlet uniform and epaulettes, that 

 Queen Victoria was to send him, and " then what a handsome man 

 he would be 1" 



Those who are not directly benefited by the change, cannot but view 

 it as a disastrous circumstance for the natives, which will seal their 

 doom, and make them the prey of the hosts of adventurers who are 

 flocking in from all parts, some to be engaged as public officers, and to 

 fatten on the coming revenues, and others as speculators. During our 

 stay, a cutter arrived from Sydney, with a number of revenue officers, 

 magistrates, and other minor dignitaries. 



New Zealand continued under the authority of New South Wales 

 until September, 1840, when it became a separate colony. One of the 

 first acts of the new government has been, by proclamation, to require 

 all those who have acquired lands by purchase from the natives, to 

 exhibit their vouchers, and to show how much land they had purchased, 

 and the price paid. At the same time, a committee was appointed to 

 examine these claims. A few statements made by this committee, will 

 show how the spirit of speculation has been at work in New Zealand. 

 Up to October, 1841, they reported that five hundred and ninety-one 



