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/52

 48 If you had called upon them to work Ten or Eleven Hours, instead of Eight, do you think they would have been aware that they should receive more for it?
 * Yes. We give them an extra Payment if we want them to go a Journey, or any thing extra.

You say that some Chiefs there did not sanction a Purchase you referred to, but that the great Majority did?
 * Yes; there were some Chiefs that were not present, and did not go. Knowing that it had been purchased before, they told me, as I was going up the River Thames, and the Natives that were with me, that it was not straight.

Was the Purchase considered equally binding by both Parties, if they had not all agreed?
 * I do not think it is settled yet.

It remains an incomplete Transaction in consequence of that Difficulty?
 * It did when I left.

Do you know what is necessary to give a positive Sanction to the Sale of Property?
 * Yes; first to ascertain to whom the Property belonged, and to go to those Chiefs, and to give Notice of the Purchase some Months before, then to fix a Day for the Assembly.

Is every Individual connected with the Chief considered to have a certain Interest in the Land?
 * He comes partly to partake of the Feast always given upon those Occasions, both Women and Children; several Pigs are killed, and there is a Quantity of Flour and Fish, and so on.

Any one of the Relations or belonging to the Clan is supposed to have, in proportion, a personal Interest in the Transaction, so as to receive a Portion of the Purchase Money?
 * Not the Women or the Slaves, but the leading Men.

Is it in consequence of Relationship to the Chiefs, or what determines who shall be paid, and who shall not?
 * They settle that Difficulty among themselves; I do not know the exact Rule; but there are what we should call Gentlemen Chiefs, and petty Chiefs.

If any Number of those object the Purchase is considered incomplete?
 * I never heard of an Instance where they did; they are anxious to sell their Land.

Do you think that a New Zealander in selling Land to an European could make a Bargain with the same degree of Shrewdness as an European?
 * He would leave it to the European; they would talk the Matter over; he would ask them first what they would give, and then he would consider of it. Probably he would say he would not take that; then more would be offered. Sometimes they were aware that by staying a little Time more they would get more.

Have you known a New Zealander demur to what he considered an insufficient Offer?
 * I was not present at the first Commencement of the Purchase alluded to; I have no Proof that it is a general Thing. I have only heard from the Report of the Missionaries that such is the Case when they are first commencing to deal with the Natives.

The Witness is directed to withdraw.

 Ordered, That this Committee be adjourned to Friday next, Twelve o'Clock.

