NATIVE CHIEFS. 
271 
to the head chiefs, and a suit of some kind of uniform ; 
hut in the press of other matters and declining health, he 
forgot to do anything for them ; his successor, Governor Fitz- 
roy, also overlooked the subject. Governor Grey found the 
necessity of doing something; he gave them presents, hut 
not always with judgment, as the shrewd discerning natives 
themselves could see through his object. One of the principal 
recipients of his liberality was Rangihaeata, who had constantly 
opposed Government, and been the chief leader in the late 
war. When that chief was induced to make peace, the 
Government made him presents at various times, which the 
natives saw were intended to keep that turbulent chief quiet, 
whilst comparatively those who had been forward in supporting 
Government during the struggle, received nothing, and even 
had bad motives for doing so imputed to them. “ Ah !” said 
a chief, “ I see how it is: if we want to get presents, we must 
not sit quiet, and give the Governor no trouble, but we must 
imitate Rangihaeata!* and be tutu (troublesome).” 
British law is nominally established in the land, but it is 
only nominally, and likely to be so for years, unless some 
measures are taken to obtain the co-operation of the native 
chiefs. Two instances which fell under my cognizance, may be 
selected from a host of similar ones, to prove the necessity of 
something being done. A troublesome native had a quarrel 
with one of the settlers ; there were faults on both sides. The 
native considered himself injured; having built a house for 
the other, for which he had repeatedly asked payment in vain. 
The native then went and plundered the other’s house of 
what he thought was an equivalent for the debt. This made 
a great commotion. The settler called from one side of a 
broad river to the native on the other, who, having been told 
that he would be thrown in prison, fired at the settler, who 
then lodged his complaint with the magistrate. 
A warrant was issued for the apprehension of the offender. 
The native policeman had not courage to execute it. The 
* Rangihaeata, at the very time of his receiving these presents, was protecting 
Pitama, the man who murdered the Gillespies, a year or two before, and that 
man was living in the pa with him. 
