Chap. XTV. JOURNEY TO WANGANUI. 337 
CHAPTER XIV. 
Journey to Wanganui — Wahine iti joins me — His relations ob- 
ject — He asserts his own authority — Mr. Spain, the Land Com- 
missioner, at Petre — Upright conduct of an old chief — Death of 
Mr. Mason — The Rev. Richard Taylor — Spirited behaviour of 
E Kuru — Journey towai'ds Taranaki — Bridle-road — Missionary 
opposition — Luxuriant country — Food for cattle in the forest — 
The tutu, a poisonous shrub — Signs of a settlement — Suspension- 
bridge — Advantages of having no port — The yeomen of New Ply- 
mouth — Contentment in a good .climate — Security bestowed on 
Taranaki by the Whites — Flocking of natives to the district — 
New claims — ^Suspension of the Company's operations — Negotia- 
tions with Mr. Spain and Mr. Clarke junior — Coast near Cape 
Egmont — Religious feuds among natives — Inhospitality — 
Changed character — A captive belle — E Kuru\ home. 
It was not till the beginning of April that I got a 
letter from Colonel Wakefield, dated from Wellington, 
instructing me to go on to TVanganm and manage 
the Company's case before Mr. Spain. Colonel Wake- 
field and Mr. Molesworth had returned by sea from New 
Plymouth in the Government brig, which called on 
her way to Wellington from Manukau with the Chief 
Justice and a new Police Magistrate for Wellington. 
Numerous appointments of Magistrates, including 
many of the principal settlers in the Cook's Strait 
settlements, had been made by the Acting Governor. 
TVahhie iti, the eldest son of E Ahu, whom I have 
already noticed as so eager, although so young, to 
become a civilized gentleman, able to lead his future 
dependents by means of the respect which should 
be paid to him by the colonists of station, determined to 
accompany me to JVanganui and Taranaki ; for I 
VOL. II. z 
