The Treaty of Waitangi; or, how New Zealand became a British Colony

Tirarau. The principal chief of Northern Wairoa.

Pomare. Was detained on board H.M.S. North Star during the Northern war.

Kiore Heke, of the Matarahurahu tribe.

Hori Kingi, Wharerahi. This chief accompanied Hongi to England.

Tamati Pukututu. Fought with our troops against Kawiti, at Ruapekapeka.

Hakiro. Son of Tareha.

Wikitene (hikitene). Chief of Kapotai of Waikare.

Pumuka. Was killed by Captain Robertson of H.M.S. Hazzard at the sack of Kororareka.

Marupo. A noted warrior. Conquered Ngatimaru and Ngatipaoa.

Te Tao.

Rewiti Atuahaere. An uncle of Hone Heke.

Wiremu Hau. Afterwards a native assessor. Fought for the British at Ohaeawai.

Kaua.

Tona.

Mene.

Tamati Waaka Nēne. The celebrated loyal chief of Nga-Puhi.

Matu Huka.

Kamera (Kaiteke).

Warau.

Ngere.

Patuone Eruera Maihi. Brother of Tamati Waaka Nēne.

Paora Nohomatangi.

Ruhe. Father of Maketu, who was the first Maori hung for murder in New Zealand. Ruhe shot himself in 1865.

Kaitara Wiremu Kingi.

Taura. Killed at Mawhekairangi.

Taurau. The younger brother of Te Tirarau.

Te Roha. The younger brother of Te Tirarau.

Rewa. Father of Huirau.

Moka. A celebrated chief in the early days of the colony.

Papahia. Chief of the Hokianga tribes. Father of Wi Tana.

Takiri (Titore Nui, the Great). First commenced the felling of Kauri spars for the navy.

Tako.

Wiremu Tana. Son of Papahia.

Tangata Kotahi. Son of Papahia.

Te Tai. Son of Papahia.

Toroihua.

Te Keha.

Kowao.

Takurua.

Hinaki.

Manuta Wunu.

Nga Manu (Hautokia).

Hiro.

Marama.

Moe Ngaherehere.

Mahu.

Wiremu Wuna.

Tawaewae.

Whareumu. Killed at Waima.

Makoware.

Te Ahu. Son of Parore of Nga-Puhi.

Tukupunga.

Hara.

Hakitara. Went to England to see King William IV.

Hawaitu (Tamati).

Matatahi.

Rawiri Taiwhanga. Father of Hirini (Sydney) and Hemi. A very intelligent man.

Paraara.

Ana Hamu.

Hira Pure.

Iwi. Ngatirangi tribe, Te Waka.

Whiorau.

Wiremu Wahtipu.

Piripi Haurangi.

Pokai. Ngatirangi tribe. The celebrated Hone Heke. Leader of the rebellion of 1845.

Kauwhata. Ngatiwai tribe.

Tuirangi. Matarahurahu tribe.

Hohepa Kingi Raumati.

Tawakawaha. Ngaitawake tribe.

Tawatanui.

Rawhiti.

Kuihanga (Maihi Paraone Kawiti).

Paraka.

Tahua Hori Kingi.

Puka.

Koroiko (Te Korohiko). A chief from Taupu.

Iwikau Heuheu. Younger brother of the great Te Heuheu, of Taupo. He afterwards became an ardent Kingite.

Witnesses.– James Busby; Henry Williams; Richard Taylor, M.A.; John Mason, of the Church Missionary Society; Samuel Ironside, Wesleyan Missionary Society; James Stuart Freeman, gentleman. Witness to the signature of Pomare – James R. Clendon.

February 9, 1840

Rewiti Irikoe.

Te Kuta.

Paora Kingi (?). Patu Matekoraha.

Haupokia Ahuahu. A celebrated chief and priest. He was wounded in three places during the Northern war: twice through the chest.

Mohi Tahua.

Kame Kutu.

Rangi Tuturau.

Witnesses.– Joseph Nias, Captain H.M.S. Herald; Henry Williams, clerk.

Hokianga, February 13, 1840

Hake.

Rewiri.

Te Pana.

Hone Makinaihunga.

Pangari.

Rangatira Pakanae (Rangatira Moetara).

Tio.

Te Karekare.

Tukarawa.

Paka.

Wharekorero.

Marupo. Ngatikorokoro tribe.

Toto.

Toko.

Po.

Piripi Ngaromutu.

Wiremu Rauraka.

Wiremu Patene. Son of Otene Pura.

Manaihi.

Paratene (Te Ripi).

Te Hira.

Turau.

Te Keti.

Kenana.

Pero.

Te Uruti.

Witikama.

Tira.

Tipane.

Matiu.

Kaihu.

Kaitoke (Te Whakawai).

Hira.

Kiri Kotiria.

Witnesses.– Joseph Nias, Captain H.M.S. Herald; Willoughby Shortland; George Clarke, Church Missionary Society; William Woon, Wesleyan Mission Society; G. P. Russell, Kohukohu.

Waimate, February 15, 1840

Tamati Hapimana.

Te Kekeao Paratene.

Taonui Makoare.

Daniel Kahika.

Abraham Tautoru (Aperahama Taonui).

Kaitoke Muriwai.

Te Naihi.

Tahua.

Tuku.

Ngaro.

Rawiri Mutu.

Wiremu Wahngaroa.

Timoti Takare.

Hamiora Matangi.

Arama Hongi.

Haimona Tauranga.

Te Kura.

Heremaia.

Pi, Te Mahurehure. Of the Waima tribe. Killed at Otuihu. Father of Arama Karaka.

Repa Mango.

Maunga Rongo.

Wire Manu.

Takahorea.

Wakanau.

Mohi Tawhai. A loyal chief who fought for us at Ohaewai.

Timoti Mito.

Haimona Paikoraha.

Huna Tuheka. Ngatipakau.

Pero.

Wiremu Kingi.

Witness.– Richard Taylor, Church Missionary Society.

Waitemata, March 4, 1840

Wiremu Hoete. Chief of Ngatimaru.

Hakopa.

Te Awa. Father of Te Hira.

Tapuru.

Titaha. Killed by Heke at the battle of Ohaeawai.

Kahukoti.

Ruinga. Hori Pokai.

Hohepa.

Pouroto.

Enoka.

Hinaki.

Kepa.

Paora (Putu).

Mohi Te Ahi-a-te-Ngu.

Anaru.

Waitangi, of Paroa.

William Korokoro. Chief of Ngatiwai.

Witnesses.– Joseph Nias, Captain H.M.S. Herald; Henry Williams; William Thomas Fairburn.

Kaitaia, April 29, 1840

Nopera Panakareao. Died April 1856 of erysipelas.

Paora Ngarue.

Wiremu Wirihana.

Umu.

Himiona Tangata. Died in 1860.

Matenga Paerata. Died in 1862.

Rapata Wakahotu.

Hori Popata Waka. Died in 1862.

Taua.

Taitimu.

Matiu Huhu.

Tokitahi.

Paratene Waiora.

Rapiti Rehurehu.

Koroneho Pupu.

Piripi Raorao.

Kopa.

Meinata Hongi.

Otopi.

Paetai.

Marama.

Paratene Karuhuri.

Tamati Pawau.

Reihana Teira Mangonui.

Watene Patonga.

Wiremu Ngarae.

Hohepa Poutama.

Hare Matenga Kawa. Died in 1862.

Kingi Kohuru.

Matiu Tauhara.

Hamiora Potaka.

Huyatahi (Hetaraka).

Marakai Mawai.

Utika Hu.

Hare Huru.

Tamati Mutawa.

Hauora.

Tomo.

Puhipi Te Ripa. Afterwards a native assessor.

Ereonora. Wife of Nopera Panakareao. She died in 1847.

Poari Te Mahanga.

Rawiri.

Kepa Waha.

Koroniria Nua.

Ngare (Riwai Haki Ngare).

Hamiora Tawari.

Whiti. Chief of Awanui.

Ruanui.

Haunui. Died in 1862.

Kuri.

Kawariki.

Rawiri Awarua.

Ru. Died in 1862 of typhoid fever.

Papanui.

Hakaraia Kohanga.

Kawaheitiki.

Pere Kamukamu.

Karaka Kawau. Afterwards a native assessor.

Paora Te Hoi. Died in 1862 of typhoid.

Himiona Wharaora.

Aperahama Otiru.

Tara.

Pihere, from Kawakawa. Ngatimanu tribe.

Witnesses.– William Gilbert Puckey, Church Missionary Society; John Johnson, M.D.; H. D. Smart, 28th Regiment, New Zealand Mounted Police; Richard Taylor, M.A., Church Missionary Society; Willoughby Shortland, Colonial Secretary.

THAMES NATIVES FROM WHAREKAWATamaki, July 9, 1840

Te Ara Karamu.

Kupenga.

Ngahuka.

Nga Manu.

Raro Manu.

Te Hangi.

Witnesses.– David Rough; George Clarke, P.G.A.; John Johnson, M.D., Colonial Surgeon.

Russell, August 5, 1840

Hake (Urikapana).

Kanawa.

Haniwa.

Witnesses.– George Clarke, Protector of Aborigines; James Coates, gentleman; James Stuart Freeman, gentleman.

Coromandel Harbour, May 4, 1840

Horeta te Taniwha. Father of Kitahi (Ngatiwhanaunga tribe).

Kitahi.

Puakanga.

Hauauru.

Witnesses.– Joseph Nias, Captain H.M.S. Herald; Thomas Bunbury, Major 80th Regiment.

Mercury Bay

Punahi. Ngatimaru tribe.

Ngataiepa, Rapupo.

Witness.– Joseph Nias, Captain H.M.S. Herald.

Akaroa

Iwikau. Ngatirangiamoa tribe.

John Love. Ngatikahukura tribe.

Witnesses.– Thomas Bunbury, Major 80th Regiment; Edward Marsh Williams.

Ruapuke, Foveaux Straits

John Touwaick (Tu Hawaiki).

Taiaroa.

Kaikoura.

Witnesses.– Joseph Nias, Captain H.M.S. Herald; Thomas Bunbury, Major 80th Regiment.

Otago

John Karitai.

Korako.

Witnesses.– Thomas Bunbury, Major 80th Regiment; W. Stewart.

Cloudy Bay, June 17, 1840

Maui Pu.

Eka Hare.

Puke.

Kaikoura.

Joseph Toms. Son-in-law of Nohorua.

Nohorua. Elder brother of Te Rauparaha.

Waiti.

Wi.

Te Kanae.

Pukeko.

Witnesses.– Thomas Bunbury, Major 80th Regiment; W. Stewart.

Kapiti, June 19, 1840

Te Rauparaha.

Te Rangihaeata.

Witnesses.– Thomas Bunbury, Major 80th Regiment; W. Stewart.

Hawkes Bay, June 23, 1840

Te Hapuku.

Waikato. Went to England with Hongi.

Mahikai.

Witnesses.– Thomas Bunbury, Major 80th Regiment; Edward M. Williams.

Manukau, March 20, 1840

Kawau (Apihai). Chief of Ngatiwhatua tribe.

Tinana.

Te Reweti (Wiremu Reweti).

Witnesses.– W. C. Symonds; James Hamlin.

Kawhia, April 28, May 25, June 15, August 27, September 3, 1840

Rawiri.

Te Kawana.

Tariki.

Haupokia.

Te Waru (Hori).

Taonui.

Hone Waitere Aoturoa.

Te Matena Te Whapu.

Ngamotu.

Wharekawa.

Witnesses.– James Wallis; John Whiteley.

Waikato Heads, April 11 and 26, 1840

Paengahuru. Ngatitipa tribe.

Kiwi Ngarae. Ngatitahinga tribe. Father of Apera Kiwi.

Paki. Ngaungau tribe.

Ngapaka. Ngatitipa tribe.

Kukutai. Ngatitipa. Father of Waata Kukutai.

Te Ngohi. Ngatimaniapoto from Kawhia.

Muriwhenua. Ngatihaua from Aotea.

Te Pakaru. Ngatimaniapoto from Kawhia.

Nutone. Afterwards a pensioner.

Te Waraki. Ngatimaniapoto from Kawhia.

Te Roto Kiwi. Ngatimahuta from Kawhia.

Paerata Ngatipou.

Katipa Ngatipou. Father of Maihi, who was captured at Rangiriri.

Maikuku. Ngatiteata tribe.

Aperahama Ngakainga. Ngatiteata tribe.

Hoana Riutoto. Ngatimahuta tribe.

Wairakau. Ngatitetata tribe.

Haki Aotea. Ngatituwehi tribe.

Wiremu te Awaitaia (Wiremu Nero). The well-known loyal chief of Whaingaroa.

Tunui Ngawaka. Ngatitahinga from Waikato.

Kamura Wauroa.

Pohepohe. Ngatihaua from Matamata.

Pokawa Rawhirawhi. Ngatihaua from Matamata.

Puata. Ngatiruru from Otawhao.

Mokoroa. Ngatiruru from Otawhao.

Pungarehu. Ngatiapakura from Tarawera.

Pohotukia.

Te Keha. Ngatinaho.

Wharepu. Ngatiahine from Taupiri (Pene). Killed at Rangiriri.

Kanawa. Ngatiahine from Taupiri (Kihiringi). Killed at Rangiriri.

Whata. Ngatitipa from Whangaroa.

Ngawaka te Ao (Te Ao-o-te-rangi). Ngatiwauroa from Putataka.

Peehi. Ngatiruru from Otawhao.

Wiremu Ngawaro.

Hone Kingi.

Te Tawa.

Tamati.

Rapata Waiti.

Te Awarahi.

Rehurehu.

Witnesses.– R. Maunsell; B. Ashwell; W. C. Symonds.

Opotiki, May 27 and 28, 1840

†Tautoru.

Takahi.

Aporotanga. Killed by the wife of Tohi-Pekamu after the battle of Te Awa-a-te-Atua.

Atua.

Whakiia.

†Rangimatanuku.

†Rangihaerepo.

Torere, June 11, 1840

Putiki.

Rangihuataki.

Tekaha, June 14, 1840

Haupururangi (Aopurangi).

Hahiwaru.

Haomarama.

Wharau.

Torere, June 14, 1840

Taku.

Tautari.

Witnesses.– James W. Fredarb;155 Papahia; Wiremu Maihi.

Whakatane, June 16, 1840

Mokai.

Mata.

Tarawatewate.

Tunui.

Taupiri.

Haukakawa.

Piariari.

Matatetohia.

Rewa.

Tupara.

Mokai.

Te Uira. Ngatipou tribe.

Ngahu.

Rahiri. Ngatimaru tribe.

Te Moke. Ngatitewehi tribe.

Te Wera. Ngatimaru tribe.

Witnesses.– J. W. Fredarb; R. Maunsell.

Wellington (Port Nicholson), April 29, 1840

Tuarau.

Hiko-o-te-rangi. Chief of Mana Island.

Tungia.

Rake.

Wharepouri.

Matangi.

Taringa Kuri.

Whakakeho.

Porutu. Attended the Kohimarama Conference, 1860.

Whakatauranga.

Hore.

Pani.

Rawi.

Kopiri.

Whanga.

Ngapapa.

Reihana Reweti.

Ngatata. Father of Wi Tako.

Puakawe.

Napuna.

Mohiroa.

Tute.

Ingo.

Pakau.

Patuhiki.

Te Kahe. Grandmother of the Hon. Dr. Pomare, M.P.; and with Topeora, Rangihiata's sister, was the only woman permitted to sign the treaty.

Kopeka.

Rerewa.

Te Puni (Te Honiana).

Tuhoto.

Pakewa.

Popuka.

Witnesses.– Henry Williams, Clerk; George Thomas Clayton, Merchant.

Queen Charlotte's Sound, May 4 and 5, 1840

Toheroa.

Rewa.

Whatimo.

Te Tupe.

Tiaho.

Tikaukau.

Orakaka.

Tuterapouri.

Tirarau.

Ngaoranga.

Huriwenua.

Taukina.

Iwikau.

Punga.

Rangowaka.

Kirikiri.

Potiki.

Taraheke.

Anaru.

Pikau.

Hone. (?) Ropoama te One

Mana.

Kaparangi.

Tapotuku.

Uapiki.

Maru.

Karaka.

Witnesses.– Henry Williams, Clerk; George Thomas Clayton, Merchant.

Rangitoto, May 11, 1840

Te Whetu (The Star).

Pari.

Taropiko.

Putete.

Rangiahua.

Tahanui.

Orokaka.

Toitoi.

Te Mako.

Ipukohu.

Te Tihi.

Huia.

Nukumai.

Witnesses.– Henry Williams, Clerk; George Thomas Clayton, Merchant.

Kapiti, Otaki, Manawatu, May 14, 1840

Te Rauparaha. Principal Chief of Cook's Strait.

Katu.

Te Whiwhi (Matene).

Topeora. Mother of Matene Te Whiwhi.

Te Ruru (Aperahama).

Matia.

Kehu.

Hakeke. Father of Kawana Hunia.

Taumaru.

Mahi.

Te Ota.

Kiharoa.

Te Puke.

Toremi (Horomona).

Te Ahoaho (Te Kingi).

Tahurangi.

Paturoa.

Te Tohe.

Te Whetu.

Tauheke.

Pakau.

Whitiopai.

Witnesses.– Henry Williams, Clerk; Octavius Hadfield, Clerk.

Waikanae, May 16, 1840

Reretawhangawhanga. Father of Whiti.

Whiti. the Celebrated Wiremu Kingi.

Patukekeno.

Ngaraurekau.

Te Heke.

Tuamane.

Ngapuke.

Patuka Kariki. Died At Taranaki.

Ngakanae.

Pukerangiora.

Kukutai. Killed at Te Poutoko.

Komaki.

Raranga.

Hohepa Matahau.

Kiha.

Hiangarere.

Urerua. Killed at Waikanae.

Te Wehi.

Pehi.

Ketetakere.

Witnesses.– Henry Williams, Clerk; Octavius Hadfield, Clerk.

Motu Ngarara, June 4, 1840

Te Rangihiroa.

Te Ohu.

Witnesses.– Henry Williams, Clerk; George Thomas Clayton, Merchant.

Wanganui, May 23 and 31, 1840

Anaua (Hori Kingi).

Tawito (Kawana Paipai).

Mawae.

Rere.

Te Tauri (Wiremu Eruera).

Rore.

Turoa.

Taka.

Kurawhatua.

Rangiwhakarurua.

Uripo.

Hiko.

Takaterangi.

Pakoro.

Witnesses.– Henry Williams, Clerk; O. Hadfield, Clerk.

Tauranga, Poverty Bay

Manutahi.

Turuki.

Kaingakiore.

Eruera Wina.

Takatua, from Waiapu.

David Rangikati, from Waiapu.

Tamawa Kamehua, from Tokomaru.

Te Pakara, from Turanga.

Pai-te-rangi.

Tutapaturangi Taetangaware.

Titirangi.

Tawarau.

Rangiuia Uawa (Nopera Rangihuia).

Rangiwai, from Waiapu.

Mimiopawa, from Waiapu.

Kakatarau, from Waiapu.

Awarau, from Waiapu.

Tamitere, from Tokomaru.

Mangare, from Turanga.

Maronui, from Turanga.

Tona (Tanamanaia), from Turanga.

Ngatikareaho, from Wairoa.

Tuhura.

Te Hore, from Turanga.

Whakahingatu, from Turanga.

Ponekahika (Hori), from Uawa.

Rangiwhakatatae, from Waiapu.

Mokopuorongo (Paratene). Leader of the Kingites at Tokomaru.

Pototi, from Turanga.

Uiramaitai, from Turanga.

Tawarakihi, from Turanga.

Turoa, from Turanga.

Mahuika, from Turanga.

Te Panepane, from Turanga.

Te Whareana, from Turanga.

Te Eke (Rawiri), from Turanga. Father of Hirini.

Te Tore, from Ahuriri.

Tutaepa, from Waiapu.

Kauru-o-te-rangi (Popata). Afterwards leader of the King party at Korauruterangi, from Waiapu.

Te Potae (Enoka), from Tokomaru. Father of Henare Potae.

Witnesses.– William Williams; Henry Williams, Junr.; G. Clarke, Junr.

Tauranga (now Gisborne)

Te Whanake.

Hiutao.

Tamaiwahia.

Te Hui.

Paetui.

Te Kou.

Reko.

Tari.

Matatahuna.

Te Konikoni.

Tauarumia.

Nuka.

Te Tutahi.

Te Pohoi.

Putarahi.

Pikitia.

Te Mako.

Te Peika.

Kapa.

Te Haereroa.

Hoani Aneta.

Witnesses.– Hoani Aneta; James Stack; Henry Taylor.

CHAPTER VI

THE TREATY

Captain Hobson having now by his own efforts and the agency of those who were associated with him completed his negotiations with the native chiefs, it remains for us to examine briefly the nature of the compact into which the Maori and Pakeha had thus solemnly entered. The Treaty of Waitangi is a document of few clauses and precise terms. Yet under the conflicting interests which it was designed to harmonise few documents have been more generally misunderstood or more persistently misinterpreted. More than once in high places its utility has been denied, its simple contracts have been repudiated, and its existence has been ignored. Lawyers have repeatedly questioned its legality, courts have discussed its constitutional force, parliaments have debated its wisdom, but still it stands to-day – unaltered in text or spirit – the great charter of Maori rights. Its most virulent enemies have ever been the land speculators, and there are not wanting signs in these times of unsatisfied land hunger – of never-ceasing speculation – that the treaty has either been forgotten by those whose duty it is to remember it, or that its obligations have ceased to have their old-time moral value. Lest we forget that the treaty is still in force, and that native lands are not common plunder for the avaricious Pakeha, let us briefly review the circumstances which made the compact between the two nations a political virtue, if not a political necessity.

It is a principle recognised by the civilised nations of the Earth that the discovery of a waste and uninhabited land by a pioneering country confers on that country a right, as against all other civilised countries, to colonise its new discovery. In such a case the discovering nation may in fact go further, by immediately taking possession of the new-found territory, and assuming sovereignty over it. In this way Norfolk Island being found devoid of inhabitants by Captain Cook, his discovery of the sea-girt isle not only entitled Britain to colonise it, but automatically added it to the possessions of the Empire. This principle has thus been concisely stated by Vattel: "All men have an equal right to the things which have not yet fallen into the possession of any one; and these things appertain to the first occupant. Wherefore, when a nation finds a country uninhabited and without a master, it may lawfully seize upon the same, and after it has adequately denoted its will in this respect another cannot thereof despoil it. Thus navigators going on their voyages of discovery, provided with a commission from their sovereign, and falling in with desert islands, or other desert lands, have taken possession of them in the name of their nation, and commonly this title has been respected, provided that thereupon a real possession has closely followed."

It is equally an acknowledged maxim of the Law of Nations that should the newly discovered land not prove to be "waste and without a master," but that it should be inhabited and under government of any kind, then the mere fact of its discovery by a civilised nation confers upon the discoverer no title to the soil, but only the prior right to colonise as against other colonising nations. This is but the natural reward which belongs to the enterprise displayed in fitting out ships and expeditions destined to navigate unknown seas or to travel in unknown lands. Such prior right to colonise is, however, strictly limited by the important consideration that colonisation can only take place with the free will and consent of the savage or semi-civilised inhabitants of the newly discovered country. In no sense does the act of discovery confer the right of property in the land, or the right of sovereignty over its people. That is to say, in the abstract, no nation whatever can under any pretext violate the rights of any other independent nation. This was clearly the principle which guided those British Governments to whose lot fell the establishment of the first colonies in America. In all these cases was the property of the Indian tribes respected, and no land was acquired save by purchase, or by some other equitable arrangement made with the aboriginal owners.156 Hence in the celebrated case of the Cherokee tribe against the State of Georgia, tried in 1832, before the late Chief-Justice Marshall, that eminent judge was able to declare that as the United States had only inherited its rights from Great Britain after the War of Independence, the individual States could not assume rights greater than Britain had claimed to possess prior to that event. No right in Cherokee lands therefore vested in the State until the Indian title had been honourably extinguished.

This equitable principle has not always been observed between so-called civilised nations and semi-barbarous peoples, but that it has long held a place amongst the ideals of men is suggested to us by the Phoenician legend, that when the merchant princes of Tyre and Sidon resolved to establish a trading factory on the site upon which subsequently rose the city of Carthage, they fairly bought the land from the natives of Northern Africa, the area being determined by the length of the thongs cut from a bullock's hide. Such a story, coming down to us as it does through the hoary mists of time, may or may not appeal to our practical present-day minds, but the fact that it was commonly told and commonly accepted amongst the ancients is at least an indication that the principles which govern the conduct of modern nations towards their less fortunate brethren are founded upon and have the sanction of great antiquity.

When we come to apply these principles to New Zealand it is of course necessary to remember that the first European discoverer157 of this Dominion was not Cook, but Abel Tasman. The Dutchman's association with the country was, however, so cursory, and his nation's subsequent interest in it so nominal, that to the sailor it appeared only as "a great land uplifted high," while to his countrymen it was known only as a vague scrawl upon the chart. That Tasman's discovery of 1642 gave the Dutch a right to colonise in New Zealand had they been so disposed is undoubted; but whatever rights they had thus acquired, such were clearly exhausted by Holland's failure to assert them during the long period of 135 years that elapsed before Cook came to make a reality of what to Tasman had only been a shadow.

With his characteristic thoroughness Cook left no weak link in the claim which he made on behalf of his nation. He landed on our shores, held intercourse with the natives, he surveyed our coasts, he took formal possession of both Islands "in the name, and for the use of His Majesty King George III."

"A philosopher perhaps might enquire on what ground Lieutenant Cook could take formal possession of this part of New Zealand in the name and for the use of the King of Great Britain, when the country was already inhabited, and of course belonged to those by whom it was inhabited, and whose ancestors might have resided in it for many preceding ages. To this the best answer seems to be that the Lieutenant in the ceremony performed by him had no reference to the original inhabitants, or any intention to deprive them of their national rights, but only to preclude the claims of further European navigators, who under the auspices and for the benefit of their respective States, or Kingdoms, might form pretensions to which they were not entitled by prior discovery."