Page:Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the present state of the Islands of New Zealand.pdf/33

 Rh Would the Resident require any large armed Force to carry into effect his Orders?
 * Very little. Two People sent by the Resident would bring any Man from any Part of the Island; I do not think they would endeavour to resist in the slightest Degree; but now they know he has no Power they will not attempt to help him.

If he had a legal Authority from our Government he would not require a large armed Force to carry it into execution?
 * Very little indeed, I think, as the Tribes are very friendly to English Gentlemen there.

Do you happen to remember any Instance in which a Settler has purchased Land from a Native, and before he has made any Improvement has parted with it to another Settler?
 * I do not know any Instance of that Kind without his making a slight Improvement, such as building a House. That Spot Mr. Trapp purchased comes very near that.

Was the Difference of Price very great?
 * In Mr. Trapp's Case he has not sold the Land to the other Occupant, merely given him Power to occupy during the Time of his Absence.

Do you know what Consideration was given for the Permission to occupy?
 * There was no Consideration given by the Person to whom the Permission was granted; he had been kind to Mr. Trapp when in Distress.

Are there any Schools in the Island?
 * Only the Missionary Schools, which are Schools connected with the Mission.

Have you been in those Schools?
 * I have been in their Schools on the Sundays; they have Day Schools only for their own Children. I have been in the Sunday School where they taught their own Children and the native Children together; the native Children appeared to make as great Progress as their own Children.

Are the Children of Slaves allowed to attend?
 * Any Children are allowed to attend.

If a Plot of Land were sold, and Iron were found in great Quantities, do you conceive that the Chief would conceive that he had sold all the Iron which should be discovered under it?
 * Most undoubtedly; I think he would consider every Right to the Land as entirely done away.

He is not aware that Iron is likely to be found there?
 * I think not.

Is there any Congress which professes to legislate for the whole Island?
 * No; each Chief legislates for his own Portion.

Are the Customs and Laws completely different in different Portions of the Island?
 * The Customs and Laws appear to be very much alike, and they seem to be remarkably tenacious of them, and they initiate their Children into them in very early Days. It is very amusing to see them teaching their Children; they will teach their Children as if they were old Persons, and in return hear them as patiently as if they were old People speaking, allowing the Child to ask any Questions.

They have no Persons there to expound the Laws?
 * No; they appear to have Councils or annual Meetings or Feasts there. Chiefs of various Tribes meet together and speak at great Length; perhaps some of their Chiefs occupy Two or Three Hours in speaking; they take various Topics in hand; sometimes on the Subject of the Wars, sometimes on other Subjects; all Sorts of Subjects generally. (123.1.)