Page:The Tarankaki question.pdf/3



An attempt to controvert the opinions and reasonings of a person so cminent as Sir William Martin, hy a person like my- self, may savour of presumption. I think it right, therefore, to n doelt. preface the remarks I have to offer, ou certain parts of his pamphlet, by the following narrative. What has the At the period (January 1840) when Captain Hobson, R. N, Nannolino la arrived in New Zealand with the appointment of Consul, and do wille the authority to treat with the chiefs and people for a cession to the Queen of the sovereign and territorial" rights which had been tulis af acknowledged by the British Government, I had filled for seven issue yeurs the office of II. M. Resident in New Zealand. Though my official character terminated on the arrival of Cap- quin Hobson, I did not the less consider it to be my duty to aid hunut with my experience and influence, and though I afterwards declined his invitation to join his Government, yet, till the Treaty was accomplished, our relations were of the most unroscrved and confidential character. In writing to me afterwards he expressed himself in the following words :“heg finther to add that through your disinterested and unbiassed advice, and to your per- sonal exertions, I may chiefly ascribe the ready adherence of the chiefs and other natives to the Treaty of Waitangi, and I feel it but due to you to state that without your aid in furthering the objects of the Commission with which I was charged by II.M. Government, I shonld have experienced much difficulty in recon- ciling the minds of the natives, as well as the Europeans who have located themselves in these islands, to the changes I contemplated carrying into effect.” When it became necessary to draw the Treaty Captain Hobson was so unwell as to be wrable to leave his ship. He sent the geil- toman who was to be appointed Colonial Treasurer and the Chief Clerk to me with some notes, which tlıcy had put together as the basis of the Treaty, to ask my advicc respecting them. I stated that I should not consider the proposititions contained in those