364 ADVENTUKE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap Xll. 
to give them an unrestricted right to dispose of their 
lands to any but their own people. 
The Port Nicholson settlers had the same reason to 
cry out against the injustice of this sweeping measure ; 
and they moreover felt that they had deserved some 
better reward for the courage with which they had ex- 
tended British occupation over this part of the islands, 
and the loyalty with which they had hailed and assisted 
the establishment of British allegiance. 
Various were the projects suggested by the panic- 
struck adventurers, each according to his disposition. 
Some few hoped that Caj)tain Hobson would become 
unshackled Governor of New Zealand as a separate 
colony, and trusted that he would follow a course con- 
sistent with the ceremonies by which he had been in- 
augurated. Another class, perplexed by so sudden 
and extensive an obstacle, and deprived of the en- 
couragement which Colonel Wakefield's presence had 
afforded to their early efforts, invented wild schemes of 
re-emigration to another country and more considerate 
laws. But another very brave, prudent, and influential 
class, determined to stand manfully before these first 
serious difficulties. They appeased the fears and ridi- 
culed the flighty projects of the weak-minded, while 
at the same time they nerved themselves for the new 
delay and troubles suspended over their heads by the 
Government of New South Wales, 
This agitation was at its height when, early in Au- 
gust, I proceeded to explore the lower part of the 
Manawatu river. I had joined with a merchant of 
Port Nicholson in supplying Captain Lewis of Kapiti 
with some of the goods necessary for building his 
schooner, and he was to pay for them either in pigs 
and potatoes or in a share of the vessel ; so that I went 
to see what facilities the river might afford for trading. 
