Chap. V. JOURNEY TO WELLINGTON BY LAND. 137 
locate the people peaceably, if I would bring up a 
schooner with the same quantity of goods as had been 
distributed on the former occasion, anchor her opposite 
Putikiwaranui, and deliver them into his house there. 
No part of the goods was to go to any one else ; and 
the greatest secrecy, he requested, was to be observed 
until the affair should have been concluded. He was 
evidently ashamed that his underhand proposal should 
become generally known. 
I replied, that when I went to Poniki, in a few days, 
I would report his proposition to " Wide-awake," who 
alone could carry it into effect, with the approval of 
the Governor. "Never mind the Governor," said 
Mawai ; " what has he to do with it ? Bring the 
" things, and you shall have all the land." 
I placed not the slightest belief in Mawai% influ- 
ence over the other recalcitrants ; as, if his statement 
had been true, he would have been proud to have 
made the proposal to me at a public conference of their 
number ; but, in order to try him, I entreated that he 
would locate all the settlers who wished to go on to 
their sections in various parts of the river in the mean- 
while, and depend on my word for bringing the goods, 
should his influence prove to be as universal as he had 
said, and should the powers approve of the bargain. 
If I was disappointed, he could always eject the settlers 
afterwards, only saving them for the present from 
starving and idleness. This, after a little hesitation, 
he promised to do ; and the two artful chiefs returned 
to their canoe. 
A day or two afterwards, I started by land, with 
" Yankee Smith," the trader whom I have before 
mentioned, and two of my " boys " to carry baggage. 
We crossed the rivers, and got to Rangitikei late at 
night, after a tedious walk against a strong southerly 
