FTS-OLR01.           Transcript of a letter dated 5th February 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                    Nelson February 5th 1844. 

I have only this morning received your letter of the 25th January marked by our Post Master as “Loose Letter received at Nelson 6th February”. . . . . . Mr Fox had previously written to me under the impression that I had received your letter, requesting me to acquaint him with my intentions in reference to the proposed appointment, to which I replied informing him that I had not received any communication from you, and that such an engagement as he intimated would not be attractive to me, chiefly because it appeared from the prospectus that the site of the future Settlement of the City of Edinburgh was already predetermined, and that with regards rather to the quality of the Port than that of the Land, a preference which I consider must (unless the character of the country and quality of the soil be very different from what it is here) inevitably entail on the future emigrant community great disappointment and distress. From all that I have been able to learn of the District adjacent to Port Cooper (and I have never omitted an opportunity of inquiry) I should be agreeably disappointed if there should be found there an extensive and accessible tract of prime land, but I have not met with any individual who has taken the trouble to explore the country even to the extent of one good days journey back from the coast, that is on the mainland not on the Peninsular. 
Nothing would interest me, or gratify my ambition in reference to a future Settlement short of an opportunity of selecting the Site after reporting to you on the comparative advantages of different localities, making a careful examination of the coast from Bank’s Peninsular to Milford Haven. The Knowesly River District (possibly the Oreti River at Invercargill), at the extremity of the Island, chiefly excites my expectations. 
I beg to assure you of the gratification it has afforded me to receive from the Court of Directors an assurance of their entire satisfaction with my efforts in the discharge of the duties entrusted to me, as well as subsequently that of your own continued approbation.
I may without affection of humility disclaim being entitled to so much praise - it is a sort of chiaroscuro (or Clair-obscure) effect produced by the contrast in which I had the advantage and good fortune of deriving success and some éclat from not having the same extent of physical difficulties. 

Frederick Tuckett.

There is possible a further page to this letter that was not supplied by Archives New Zealand.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2
FTS-OLR02.  Transcript of Instructions given to Frederick Tuckett regarding
the exploration for the Settlement of New Edinburgh

Details of instructions given regarding the exploration for the Settlement of New Edinburgh.

Fred. Tuckett Esq. - 4th March 1844 -                 Appointment of                 Enclosures
F. Tuckett Esq. To            Colonial Gazette
Act as Agent and              Sept. 30 - 1843
Prin’c Surveyor -              New Zealand 

Journal                                                                 Instructions in                   Aug’t 19 - 1843
Reference to the                Copy of Despatch
Choice of Site for              No 82 from Sec’y
The Settlem’t of                to Prin’c Agent
New Edinburgh.                enclosing letter
                                          from Mr Rennie
                                          dated 15th Sep’r/43

Copy of Instructions                                                                                      from Gov’r to J. J.
                                          Symonds Esq. 
                                          27th Feb’y 1844
                                          Printed form of
                                          Terms of purchase
                                          of Land.   

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2

FTS-OLR03.Letter dated 27th February 1844 from Governor R. Fitzroy 
to Mr J. J. Symonds

GOVERNOR FlTZROY TO Mr. SYMONDS.
By his Excellency Robert Fitzroy, Governor and Commander-in-Chief 
of New Zealand, &c. &c.

You are hereby required and directed to proceed to New Munster (or the Middle Island), and there superintend and assist the Agent of the New Zealand Company in effecting the valid purchase of not more than one hundred and fifty thousand acres of available land, without regard to figure or continuity of blocks.
To such an extent of land the Crown's right of pre-emption will be waived, upon your report of the validity of the purchase on certain conditions.
You will be most careful not to countenance any, even the smallest, encroachment on, or infringement of, existing rights or claims, whether Native or other, unless clearly sanctioned by their legitimate possessor.
You will inform settlers now established in New Munster that their cases will be most carefully and kindly dealt with by the Government under existing regulations, or by a special act of grace, such as waiving the Crown's right of pre-emption in their favour to a reasonable extent.
You will inform the Aboriginal Native population that you are sent to superintend and forward the purchase of lands which they wish to sell, and that you, on behalf of the Government, will not authorise, nor in any way sanction, any proceedings which are not honest, equitable, and in every way irreproachable.
You will exert your authority as Police Magistrate where it may be required, and report your proceedings from time to time to the Superintendent of the Southern Division.
Your knowledge of the Native character and habits, your late employment as Sub-Protector of Aborigines, and your own personal conduct, recommend you for this special service.
While absent from Wellington on this important duty you will be entitled to receive 10s. per diem for travelling expenses.

Given under my hand and seal this 27th day of February, 1844.

                                                                                  robert fitzroy, Governor.
 
J. J. Symonds, Esq., Police Magistrate, Wellington.

P.S.—You will be furnished with a copy of Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey's report upon claims to lands in New Munster, by the first opportunity that may offer for sending it to Wellington.

The Tuckett Collection, Hocken Library, Dunedin. N. Z..

FTS-OLR04.  Transcript of letter dated 28th March 1844 from Frederick Tuckett 
to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm Wakefield.                                                                       Nelson March 28th 1844.

Altho I sought the extended discretionary powers you have entrusted to me in authorising me to select the site of the Settlement of New Edinburgh, I do not regard lightly the responsibility which I have incurred - and whilst it gratifies my ambition you may rely on me that I shall not act counter to the wishes and judgment of so many Parties, sustained by so much evidence, or any slight or doubtful consideration. What I hope to find, not distant from Otago, is an extensive tract of good land, near to a sufficiently good shore for the safe and convenient landing or reception of freight at or on the Foveaux Straits, the same on the bank of a river affording easy access in reference to its occupation, and with a harbour at the mouth of the river. Supposing such to exist it must be incomparably preferable, independent of any other advantageous circumstances as the continuity of Timber, coal and lime, should such desiderates also exist.
I regret to inform you that I commence on a scale of expenditure exceeding my estimate, and altho this may be not unusual, it is not the less unsatisfactory to me. It is occasioned by my having engaged a larger vessel than I had contemplated, the lugger Hydrus had left on a trading excursion. The Royal William Lindy and Tinotta, were either of them to be obtained, but as I should not have been master on board, as in the lugger, I was afraid to hazard the execution of an important enterprise which might be frustrated by a perverse or drunken skipper. I have therefore chartered the Deborah (Capt Wing) of 120 Tons. I have done so with less hesitation because I propose shipping Timber, Bricks, Lime etc as sufficient for a small house, and by placing the freight of this at the account of the agency and retrenching on some other items of my original estimate, I still hope not to much exceed it in my capacity of explorer and Surveyor. Should Mr. Rennie’s departure be at all postponed I shall not the less need the shelter and accommodations of a House during the ensuing winter, resigning it with my office to him on his arrival. I would gladly have acted on your suggestion and chartered the Shepherdess, in preference to the Deborah, could she have called here. Receiving your letter on the 15th it was impossible for me to make a multitude of arrangements and leave for Wellington in time to see you on the 19th, Mr Fox, Mr Barnicoat and Mr Davison were all absent, and Mr Barnicoat, altho sent for immediately, that the weather permitted, has scarcely been able to return in time to admit of our sailing, as proposed, on Monday the 25th.
I have drawn, on you, thro the Bank of Nelson, to meet the preliminary expenses for the Settlement of New Edinburgh, a bill to the amount of Five Hundred Pounds, opening with its proceeds an account at the Bank on which I propose drawing cheques as if residing here and taking with me of this sum, about £120 in specie, my disbursements here will be about £300, so that little balance will remain.
On discharging the Deborah I shall give Capt Wing a Bill on you, I agree with him, for two months for 180 Pounds, which is at the rate of 15 shillings per ton per month, he should not have accepted less than twenty shillings, but he called here on his way from Taranaki to Waikawaiki taking a Wesleyan Missionary, Mr Creed exchanging with the present resident there, Watkins. I charter the vessel absolutely at my own disposal, exclusive of this prior engagement to land Mr & Mrs Creed and to call on his return and convey Mr Watkins to Wellington. I must call at Wellington and invite Mr Symonds to accompany me or obtain from him the information respecting claimants and established claims to land. If Col Godfrey’s Report has not been received it would be important to forward it after me.
I propose landing first at Port Cooper, and weather permitting walking from there to Otago, making this Port and 90 mile Beach district the standard of comparison, if I cannot accomplish this, then I walk say two days journey South of Port Cooper and return and from Otago say two journeys north, making also the lands at intermediate points wherever practicable, and so on successively  to Milford Haven (time and weather permitting). I believe it would be impracticable to make a coast Survey and also a sufficient examination of the country within the time proposed, if I used the term survey I meant only an eye survey. I did propose and hope to effect an actual Survey of the Port which I prefer and any other which appears eligible for the proposed or a future Settlement, and as far as time, and the primary object, the examination of the Land will permit. I would like to make an actual Survey of such parts of the coast as are least known, or of such as it is of most importance to define correctly, but I cannot indulge an expectation of accomplishing this excepting to a limited extent.
If I detain the Deborah more than two months I am to pay Capt Wing three Pounds per day for extra time. I infer from your silence on the point that the amount of compensation which the natives are entitled to is a fixed price already determined, or to be determined by the Commissioner of Land Claims, when I am able to announce to you my selection you will please to furnish me with information and means to effect the same, unless Mr Symonds determines the point, in which case I shall only have to acquaint you with the kind of payment, whether goods or specie, which the natives would prefer. In the event of finding a locality decidedly superior to any other, to which a claim had already been established, and suppose such claimant to be absent and to have no agent empowered to treat for the sale of the land the probability of Mr Rennie’s speedy arrival will not I conclude permit the selection of the site to be deferred pending a negotiation with the absent Proprietor. I imagine that only the unacknowledged, or rather un-investigated claims can be set aside or superseded in favour of the New Zealand Comp’y.
If it should happen that the number of the Native Proprietors of the District which is purchased is few would it not be very desirable to extend the payment of the purchase money to a period of three or four years giving them a third or a fourth of the whole sum annually until the whole be paid (this is done in North America), the British settlers would thus have time to obtain actual occupation and establish themselves, the natives would derive a continued benefit from the transaction and subsequent regret, if it should evince, would be deferred!
Without incurring the expense of returning the Schooner, it would not be possible for me to define in an advertisement (as I have usually done) the exact Districts to be surveyed, but only to describe the character of the Land and its natural growth and invite Tenders for two or three contracts to embrace the Survey of the 2000 sections of 10 acres, the exact locality and the physical or other boundaries of the contracts to be defined on the arrival of the Parties desirous of contracting. However important may be the early commencement and rapid execution of the Survey, it is yet more important that it should embrace only the best land, the selection of which may require renewed examination, especially if there is an ample extent and any field for choice. The character of the Individual is the primary consideration in reference to the probability of the honourable fulfilment of the contract. I hope unsuitable persons may be timely discouraged from any expectation of being entrusted with the Survey. It is almost impossible to draw a contract which an unprincipled person will not evade, at least as regards its acknowledged intentions. I would be pleased to receive Tenders from some of my late assistants here, but the proceedings of the combined force would be more than I could verify or contract.
I am no accountant but will take care to record in some form every transaction, taking receipts in duplicate for each payment.
Please to specify the amount of my double salary (the more the better) and I will earn it as far as my abilities and the nature of the service permit. Also the sooner Mr Rennie arrives the better, for even tho I should happen to regard the New Settlement as a Utopia, I should be equally anxious to proceed to England as early as possible. The engagement which I have entered on I understand to be a temporary one pending the arrival of Mr Rennie, and then terminating.

                                                                                                                        Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2

FTS-OLR05.              Transcript of Letter dated 8th April 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield.

 To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                 Port Cooper April 8th 1844.
Before sunset on Wednesday evening we were within sight of Banks Peninsular, the fine breeze before which we had run then gradually died away and favoured by a bright moonlight we ought to have made Port Cooper, but Thursday morning no land was in sight and the weather had changed and become thick and rainy towards evening, it cleared for a little while and enabled us to distinguish our Port about 10 miles distant. Friday morning becalmed, I had my boat lowered and went into Port, found the ground swell without and within very heavy, passing the little Bay marked on the plan as a watering place ( but which does not afford water now on this the summer season). I landed at the head of the next bay, at a cattle station, occupied by a Mr Greenwood. The schooner came in in the course of the afternoon, in the interim Mr Greenwood conducted me over the hills to the upper Bay, behind Quail Island, from the hills the 90 mile beach and the Waiola Lagoon were visible.
Returning on board I found Tuawaiti and Tiroa and several men of the resident natives. In the two former I was unable to recognise the accomplishments of civilisation, on the ground of their reported gentility, but on the contrary found them, as natives deficient in dignity and unprepossessing in physiognomy, as civilised beings a good specimen of the brutal and degraded class of with whom they have associated.
Saturday, crossed over the hills from the head of Port Cooper to the Waiola, found the ascent at the present practicable for a cart, the descent on the South side toward the Waiola for about a ¼ of a mile, in its present state, not practicable as a cart road, but easily to be made so. The situation and character of the Waiola have not been represented correctly, on its length perhaps 15 or 20 miles, it is parallel with the shore and so nearly contiguous that in places the eye can hardly detect any line of separation between it and the ocean, there is however a continuous bolder or shingle bank, similar to that which forms Nelson Haven, separating it from Blind Bay, the waters of the great marsh drain into the Waiola and are probably discharged subterraneously filtering thro the shingle bank to the ocean, in such position it presents a feature of no interest either in point of beauty or utility.
Distant about 16 miles, in a direction due north is a small wood (about 60 acres) on the skirt of which and on the bank of a nice stream (the Ptakaro) the Messrs Deans have established themselves. I found no difficulty in gaining their residence, without the assistance of a guide. In the first 10 miles on this course I generally followed near the bank of a deep stream which runs south towards the Waiola, 2 or 3 miles further and you cross another stream (the Opawa) which, like the Ptakaro, and nearly parallel in its course flows east discharging its waters on a mud flat about 4 miles from Port Cooper’s headland. Continuing my examination of the land I walked with Mr Deans about 8 miles west into the Plain and then about 5 miles north to the banks of the River Waimakaridi (truly an angry and ugly River), inland, about 2 miles north of Mr Deans is another wood, in extent about 40 acres, and these two are the only woodland visible from the heights of Banks Peninsular. On this vast Plain, south of the Waimakaridi, but north, there appears to be a fine district on which the growth of Timber is abundant, the Ti Tree frequent and of larger growth, besides flax and toe toe, all its growth indicating a fertile soil. If I cannot find a better location at Otago or Forveaux Straits, I see the way clear how to lay out the lands of the settlement. I should have the 10 acre sections on one bank of the three streams throughout the district, and on the opposite bank divide the land into 50 acre sections, in order to remedy as far as practicable the grievous unfitness of the scheme of this Settlement for the peculiar country in which it is to be formed, for here, where all Building material and fuel must be imported and carried at great expense on to Sections, each Proprietor of an allotment must incur an outlay for a few acres of grazing land which nothing short of the possession of half a square mile or 320 acres would justify. On this account, as well as in reference to the quality of the soil and opportunities of obtaining water, I am of the opinion that it will be necessary to take a block of Land having a coast frontage of nearly 40 miles north from the Waiola and only six miles back from the coast, and of the Peninsular such portion as would be contained within a line drawn straight from the entrance of Port Cooper to a part called Parake, about 6 miles from the Waiola, on the south side of the Peninsular. 
There are three routes by land to Otago, one along the sea, a second thro the centre of the Plain generally thro the marshes and Raupo, and a third on the west side of the Plain at the foot of the mountains, which may be formed as far as the river Waikato and there on account of its depth, its course must be followed to the coast where, at a forest about 60 miles from hence, along shore, this latter route I propose adopting. Tuawaite has promised to provide me guides tomorrow morning with whom I return to Mr Deans house and thence across the Plain to the West side. The Deborah, wind permitting will sail and proceed to Waikawaiki and Otago, whence I hope my party, consisting of Dr Munroe, Messrs Wolhers & Wilkinson will find her in about 10 or 12 days.
If any objections to the extension of the Settlement along the coast north of the Waimakaridi should appear to you to be objectionable please to communicate your wishes to me, addressed to the care of Mr Greenwood, as whence in the event of my return I would call immediately to inquire for letters, or at Akaroa which settlement I should like to visit if I return.
                                                                                                                        Frederick Tuckett.  

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR06.             Transcript of Letter dated 21st April 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield.

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                               Deborah Schooner, Waikawaiki, April 21st 1844.

I wrote to you at Port Cooper but had no opportunity of forwarding the letter which with this I shall send by the Scotia.
I did not walk down the country from Port Cooper as I proposed, the natives could not be procured or sufficient for the Party, and when, with difficulty I had obtained three only and made a proportionate reduction in my baggage two of them were withdrawn by their supervisor or owner at the moment of starting.
We had a tedious passage south frustrated immensely by the indolence or excessive timidity of the Master, who is only well qualified to convey women & children from one lighthouse to another.
On Thursday the 18th I had my boat lowered and went into land about 6 miles distant, the master offering no assistance and evidently sneering with self complacency at our want of boatmanship. On landing I found a native path, sent the boat back to the schooner with instructions to proceed to Waikawaiki, following the path northward in less than two miles I arrived at the Native Settlement of Moeraki, and a mile or so further at the Bay, which was very accessible to the schooner and almost a sufficient harbour in any weather. John Hughes, farmer and whaler, gave me a welcome and good cheer. Friday I started early and walked north to the N. Bluff river, about 10 miles, making digressions into the interior. Saturday morning, accompanied by Hughes, I started for this place and reached Jones’ Farm (about 4 miles from there) about noon, having pursued a longer route than ordinary to examine the coal which is visible on the coast at a point about intermediate to Moeraki and Waikawaiki, very similar to that at Massacre Bay and quite as promising, no loose stone visible. In this immediate vicinity the land is very much broken, affording very little surface available for the plough, in this respect it is an exception to the 30 miles which I had previously travelled over, which the high land presents much good surface, but it corresponds with all the district in affording to the highest summits soil of great fertility. Throughout my three days march I estimate the land as preferable in quality to that between the Waiola and Waimakaridi, and in respect of supplies of Timber and bush particularly eligible. I have to examine Otago as a harbour and if sufficiently good (of which I have some doubts) I should prefer this as the site of the settlement compared with Port Cooper, but I expect to find more than one still superior, and Milford Sound is particularly specified as the most so.
Jones’ schooner never lays here in a south east wind, and he weighed and ran twice since he arrived here this trip for Otago. I understand him to tell us at your house, that in three years only one gale had occurred which a vessel would not here ride out in perfect safety
You are aware that Major Richmond interdicted my making any survey until I had selected and purchased the site and that I apposed to this that it was absolutely necessary to survey certain harbours and Roadsteads in order to be in a position to make a judicious selection, but that I would comply with his wishes so far as not to proceed with such preliminary and partial survey without consent of the natives, requesting him to qualify his instructions, if he had already communicated any, on this head to Mr Symonds, and to enjoin on Mr Symonds to promote the object of the expedition by assisting in obtaining the consent of the natives (to which he replied that I should find Mr Symonds , altho young, efficient & a man of business etc), Mr Symonds declares that he has no discretionary powers and I find him a mere literalist, illiberal and narrow minded. I enclose a letter which I have just addressed to him since my return. It appears to me that my complaint had better be pursued and with it a claim for compensation. As a matter of courtesy, in the most courteous way that I was capable of, I informed Mr Symonds that I intended to walk from Port Cooper, and inquiring whether he would like to accompany me on which he informed me that he did not consider it to be any part of his duty to explore the country - subsequently he condescended to express some interest in the journey and an intention to be one of the Party, but the resolution was very fleeting.
When I have made my selection I will write you officially, giving the grounds of preference.

                                                                                                          Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR07.              Transcript of Letter dated 22nd April 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                                   April 22nd 1844.
 
I enclose a communication from Mr Symonds, received this morning, by which you will perceive that he adheres to the letter of his instructions. Subsequently he has conversed with me on the subject and having denied what I distinctly declare to be that fact, that I informed him on two occasions that the Surveys of the Harbours would be made provided I could obtain the consent of the Proprietors, which should be communicated to him on this case, the same was obtained and communicated to him, as is here attested by my Surveyor Mr Barnicoat.
I regret exceedingly that the object of the expedition should be deferred or frustrated by this constriction, but I have no alternative but either to abandon the expedition and return, or pursue such means as are indispensable in order to enable me to form a comparative judgment of the eligibility of different places. If Mr Symonds leaves, which he informs me rashly that he shall do, I propose proceeding with the expedition and must send to you as early as possible to inform you of the locality which may in my opinion be the most advantageous for the Settlement. Mr Jones has obtained the consent of Kolak and a universal suffrage of Maoris to the proceeding and I have directed the Survey to be made.
If I can procure native guides I shall walk from here to the Bluff. The Deborah will proceed to Otago tomorrow and remain there probably for five days, she will probably be a week working South to the Bluff and remain there a week.
                                                                                            
                                                                                                                       Frederick Tuckett.

Postscript,
I hear that Mr Symonds has taken a passage for Wellington by the Scotia, as it will be impossible for me to negotiate the purchase of the land, now his instrumentality after what has occurred. 
I must leave the difficult path of diplomacy in treating with Government officials to you.
If the land south of Otago is as good as it is at Moeraki I can state that I decidedly pick? the District to that of Port Cooper.

Monday, April 22.                                                                                                       F. Tuckett. 

 FTYS-OLR08.           Transcript of Letter dated 22nd April 1844 from 
J. W. Barnicoat to Frederick Tuckett

To Frederick Tuckett.                                                                Waicouwaitte, April 22nd 1844.

Pursuant to your request on arrival here I procured from Mr Jones the consent of the natives together with his own, to the survey of this harbour, and signified the same, according to your desire to Mr Symons, but was deterred from proceeding to effect the survey in consequence of Mr Symons reply, which was to this effect - “Do as you like - you are under Mr Tuckett’s directions but if such a survey is made I must leave the expedition & return to Wellington”.

J. W. Barnicoat. 

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR09.               Transcript of Letter dated 22nd April 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to J. J. Symonds

True Copy by Major Mathew Richmond. 

To J. J. Symonds.                                                                       Waikawwaite, April 22nd 1844.

In reply to your second letter of the 22nd inst. I beg to state that I disclaim any intention of acting in opposition to the wishes of Richmond the Superintendent of the Southern District, or of causing any survey of Lands to be made here, or elsewhere, prior to the acquisition of such lands, by purchase. Mr Barnicoat was instructed by me to ask permission of the most competent, and influential proprietors here, to make a Survey of the Port and Roadstead, and to acquaint you, in the event of his obtaining such permission, and then to execute such a Survey. He assured me that he strictly fulfilled these instructions, but that he was deterred from proceeding to execute a Survey by your expression of unqualified disapprobation of such proceeding, and your avowed determination to withdraw from the Expedition (for the selection and acquisition of a District for the future Settlement of New Edinburgh) in the event of his proceeding to execute the Survey already referred to. As it will be my indispensable duty to give him similar instructions in reference to the Port of “Otago”, and all other ports which I may successively visit, in the prosecution of the object of my present expedition, I can only express my sincere regret that our duties respectively should be so incompatible as to render it necessary for you to withdraw the further sanction of your presence.

Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR10.              Transcript of Letter dated 25th May 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Co. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                   New River, May 25th 1844.

Yesterday evening I returned from Jacob River with the determination to return to Otago and there form the Settlement of New Edinburgh, taking as the District the valley of the Tearea (Taieri) and the Plain of Molineux, or the River Matau (the native name) (now the Clutha River) subject to a confirmation of this judgement on a fresh examination of the District, for which object I propose landing again at Molineux, exploring the course of the Matau into the interior, and walking from there inland to Otago in order to verify my opinion that an easy line of communication may be established on dry ground along the W. side of the Tiaria valley. Anticipating that this will be my first choice, the second would be still Otago as the Port, and for its District a tract of land along shore terminating about 10 miles North of Moeraki at the mouth of the North Bluff River, its north boundary to be due West four miles inland, and all intervening valleys, between the North & South extremities, as far as it may be desirable to survey such valleys. In other words I wish to be authorised to purchase and survey 150,000 acres interjacent between Otago and the South Headland of Molineux Bay (called the Nuggets) or between Otago and the North Bluff river, or the North Headland of Moeraki Bay, the precise boundaries of such lands to be defined hereafter on completion of the actual survey, the Reserves within such points to be specified by the vendors in the Deed of Conveyance or agreement of purchase.
It must I think be obvious that it would be easy for the present Proprietors to define the limits of that which they will not sell, and equally so, that it must be impossible for me prior to the Survey exactly to define the boundaries of that which I consider eligible for the Settlement and am desirous to acquire.
I shall direct Mr Davison to call at Waikaiwaiki to obtain any despatches which you may have forwarded for me, and if no unforeseen obstacle has occurred or shall occur, to commence discharging the lading of the schooner at the head of the lower Harbour, on the N. W. bank, on ground which belongs immediately to Tiroa and has been occupied by him. If he has returned from Banks Peninsular Mr Davison will apply to him for permission, if still absent I must not risk it, and send to inform Tuawaiki, and the Maoris in general of my choice and desire to treat with them for the purchase. I fear this transaction will be a protracted affair, Tiroa has been a very indifferent character and emissaries from the Northern Island have been industrious in trying to excite a prejudice against us. I shall probably have an opportunity to request Chasland, who has married Tiroa’s sister (in the event of my own efforts being landed in the absence of Tiroa), to use his influence to convince Tiroa that we have no desire to take possession of his land, as he may be instigated to suspect, and truly await an offer from all the owners of the Land and the permission of his excellency the Governor to effect the purchase.
I send you herewith a daily record of my proceedings, which will I hope justify the selection which I have determined on and satisfy you that pains have been taken to form a correct and unquestionable decision. The expedition has been an interesting one to me, but its pleasure has been greatly marred in consequence of the shortness of the days and the inclemency of the season, preventing me from accomplishing more. Mr Barnicoat & Davison (the Surveyors attached to the expedition) have had to contend with hindrances from the same source which no exertions on their part could obviate. I particularly regret that the protracted absence of the Schooner prevented them from making a survey of the Waikauwa Harbour (known in Sidney as Success River) which, with the lands adjacent to the To Toi or Mataura River and Tu Tutau as its District, would I incline to think be my third choice. The District of Jacobs River or Aparima with the New River (Oreti) and Bluff as the Harbour and Townsite, my fourth choice, or the Bluff the third and Waikauwa the fourth, subject to an inspection of the land on the To Toi or Mataura, and my fifth choice, Port Cooper. 
I now see that the colonisation of this Island is worth pursuing and promoting, Horses, carriages, even rail roads and canals may be serviceable and profitable, and as the country shall become occupied by the formation of successive Settlements, north and south of Otago, the whole may be connected by a continued line of road from Jacobs River to Port Cooper, on this extended line a large Population will some future day exist in comparative comfort, especially if the Government and the Company will encourage country gentlemen to emigrate by facilitating their acquisition of estates of one or two thousand acres, at a price low in proportion to their extent, subject to a tax if unoccupied, or subject to a condition to employ during the Proprietors life, directly or indirectly, a certain number of Labourers. Such emigrants would then select industrious agricultural labourers of good character, they would do that well for themselves which any Company must, with its cumbrous expensive machinery, necessarily  do badly for them - in other words I desire to see readopted, with some modifications, the exploded evils of the genuine colonisation of old time.
I have great difficulties to contend with at Otago, in respect to the site of the Town, also in consequence of the expense which must be incurred in surveying and making a road on either side to the Head of the Harbour (say twice 14 miles), on much of which only a single line of ten acre Sections can be obtained. Further there are probably twenty squatters occupying the best Town site on the South East side of this harbour (vide tracing of Plan). It might be desirable to stake the East side for the Settlement, having a District South, and the West for the next, having a District North. I prefer the West side, but I am not so confident as ordinarily I am when I form an opinion. I should therefore wish to leave this selection to Mr Rennie and proceed with the Survey of the area only, not subdividing into smaller sections than 50 acres. The two sites which I consider most eligible for the Town I should survey, the rest by contract, also the cutting of a line, as the back line of ten acre sections, on either side parallel with the Harbour to the grass land at its head, such lines to be cut six feet in width at the outset that cattle and horses may pass to and fro. For this reason, and also because the Land is not obtained, it is impossible, in reference to contract Surveys, to offer an advertisement other than in very general terms. I would submit, as suitable something to this effect. 
“Tenders are invited for the Survey of above 100,000 acres of Land (the greater part unwooded), to be at a price framed on such quantity as shall be laid out in ten acre or in fifty acre sections, the locality of the lands to be surveyed, and the manner of executing the survey, and conditions of contract may be ascertained on application at Otago to the Agent for the Settlement. NB. The contracting Parties will be required to execute the Survey themselves and to specify the name of any Surveyor whom they wish to employ as an assistant, also to give security not to employ anyone who shall exist or occupy a house on the lands purchased by the N. Z. Company for the Scotch emigrants previous to their arrival and the distribution of the 10 acre Sections. The lowest Tender will not be necessarily accepted”.
Also as another Advertisement (and as a local placard). “Labourers in the Settlements of Wellington and Nelson are cautioned not to proceed to Otago, without first obtaining a positive engagement, in a vague expectation of procuring employment. No one will secure employment from the Company’s Agent there who shall erect or occupy a house on the land purchased by the Company for the Scotch Emigrants, prior to the distribution of the Sections.
Such day labourers as I am compelled to employ I must provide with lodgings, deducting from their wages a small weekly payment as a rent. All contractors must house their labourers and give up possession of any building erected by them on completion of their contracts. Without some very stringent regulations there will be a host of squatters established at Otago prior to the arrival of the Proprietors, and I shall be pestered daily by demands for employment. The construction of a wharf, or pier for landing, of a house, and temporary outbuilding, for store and lodgings excepted, it appears to me unnecessary to proceed with any other work but the Survey, and even that must be suspended until possession can be obtained. At this season of the year the employment of Labour will be particularly disadvantageous. I can go through more than most men but if I am overdone I shall fret and chafe. I am predetermined never to bear again in office such insult and bullying as I received from the miscreant emigrants at Nelson, their habits are formed, of confirmed indolence, I hope not to see them in Otago.
I can employ, with advantage no doubt, the two Cadets who executed copies of Capt. Smith’s Plans of Harbours for me at your Survey Office, if it continues to be your wish that they should be employed here. If they come they should be provided with a Theodolite and a small Tent lined, or else a small framed house with panelled sides, that could be easily taken in pieces and re-erected, such are often to be purchased at half the cost price. I shall require by the first opportunity, a further supply of Pork, Flour, Tea and coffee, Shirts (striped cotton and blue flannel) and worsted stockings, Mattocks, Pickaxes, strong shovels, quarry men’s tools and blasting do., crowbars, hatchets, axes and bill hooks, two grindstones and a few strong wheelbarrows also some stout iron. Such assortment would be necessary, tho as I desire no day labourers should be employed, otherwise the contractors may often be delayed for want of a supply of Tools. The Provisions and slops can be obtained from the Company’s Store at Nelson, if you prefer it being so supplied, but not the Tools. I should like to engage Mr A Saunders of Nelson as storekeeper and superintendent of day labourers, not occupied in the Survey, or if he was not inclined to fill such an office, I would offer it to Mr I. M. Hill, with the approbation of Mr Fox, at present in the service of Fox, or to Mr Healey. I shall write to Mr Saunders making him the offer, the engagement not to commence until the Lands of the Settlement are purchased and the Surveys offered to contractors. But if you, knowing the present feeling of the Government towards the Settlement, see a prospect of a speedy arrangement and approve of the appointment, perhaps you will have the goodness to inform Mr Saunders when he may proceed to Otago. As Mr Rennie will probably be accompanied by some individual in such capacity, it will be best to make only a temporary appointment until Mr Rennie’s arrival, on this account undertaking to pay his passage to and fro and salary at the same rate as is received by Mr Wilson (the exact amount I do not remember). If the Lime stone at Kai Koro is equal to that at Nelson I should like to have a quantity that I can burn when it is most required, provided I have also a dozen short thick bars of cast Iron fit for the grating of the Kiln, such as are used for dogs on a hearth by people along this coast. A crate of common strong stoneware, consisting of soup and other plates, meat and vegetable dishes, basins and cups would be serviceable in addition to other stores already mentioned, also white lead, boiled linseed oil, turpentine and paint brushes, a bolt of tight canvas or Russian sheet, spun yarn, and a crab for hauling up a heavy boat or landing heavy goods.
I propose calling at Pattersons river, Stewarts Island just to see the place, which must be very limited in extent as the mass of Stewarts Island is mountainous and now covered in snow. I can only leave this with a fair wind for Pattersons river, and proceed north with a southerly wind, calling at Roibuki to inform the natives, if any there are Proprietors of the locality which I wish to acquire. I have abandoned my intention of proceeding to Jacksons Bay, north of Milford Haven on the West Coast, not being able to accomplish it within the time proposed. I have conversed with many individuals who have been there frequently & recently, they all concur in representing it as a most eligible field in respect of the extent & quality of the land for a large settlement, its climate warm (Indian corn & maize flourishing) and sand flies a perfect scourge, but they also state that it is not a harbour, and also that it is the only place on the West Coast where an extensive tract of available land exists. The remote probability of its proving preferable to what I have already examined as the site of the Settlement is of inferior moment in comparison with the certain importance of the Tearea, pending the further prolongation of the selection of the site. I believe that from Nelson the passage to Otago will be made as quickly along the west coast and as many of the settlers are interested by the Reports which have reached them of the El Dorado of Jacksons Bay, we shall receive before long many descriptions of that locality. Mr Barnicoat for about Twenty Pounds would I have do doubt return to Otago along the West coast, thoroughly examine the land there and make a Report on its extent and capabilities accompanied by a sketch.
As my thoughts flow more rapidly than I can pen them I write, as usual hastily and without any attempt at arrangement or composition, necessarily discursively, and I have not leisure to attempt an amended style, I also write with considerable inconvenience from cold and damp, but I hope that I shall have succeeded in expressing myself intelligibly, and I believe that if I have not stated the whole truth at least I have stated nothing but the Truth. Dr Munroe or Mr Barnicoat will no doubt be willing to gratify probable curiosity by some statement of their own observations and opinions. Mine and the decision have been formed on my own judgement without ascertaining those of others, and it would be more agreeable to me that they should not be communicated to the Public thro the medium of the local newspapers prior to the arrival of Mr Rennies expedition.
A Mr Jones of Sidney claims the entire District at Molineux, about 200 square miles, his claim was not investigated by Col. Godfrey, his agent Mr Wiltshire, who resides at Molineux, not having received instructions from Sidney or information of the commissioners arrival in time. Wiltshire has the care of a few head of cattle, he has cultivated hardly any land, but has a good house or two, he receives no salary and appears to subsist thro the protection of a Maori woman, lost sight of and neglected by his nominal employer the pretended Proprietor of the land. Another Englishman named Russell, who states that he purchased land of Jones, resides there.

Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR11.              Transcript of Letter dated 13th June 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                          Otago, June 13th 1844.

I arrived here on the 11th inst. having landed at Molineux on the 1st and despatched the Deborah schooner to Otago, with instructions to forward my correspondence, which I then direct by the Scotia or any other vessel which might offer an eligible opportunity. The Scotia however was then on her way from Wellington and arrived here on the 8th inst. with Mr Symonds PM and Mr Wakefield Esq. (Daniel Bell Wakefield) 
My renewed examination of the District has confirmed my judgement of its eligibility and I have therefore, thro Mr Wakefield informed the Government Representative that I wish to be allowed to purchase for the N. Z. Company a District in which I may attain 150,000 acres of Land eligible for subdivision, the precise limits of which are to be hereafter determined on actual execution of the actual Survey.
I have illustrated my view by the aid of a sketch of the District, in which that which is coloured represents the tract of Land to be purchased of the natives, that which is coloured Red the land for the N. Z. Company, eligible for occupation, leaving the question open as to the future proprietorship of that which is coloured Green as between the Government and the Company, and this in order to simplify the definitions of the Boundaries between us and the Aborigines, in the belief that the whole may be purchased for about the same sum as the half. I do not however think that it will be effected for the sum you have provided viz. £2000, but at present the negotiation has not been attempted, all the parties interested not having yet arrived. I feel it will be a tedious affair before I am at liberty to use instruments or cut down wood without being exposed to the interference of a ruffian crew of sailor constables, as Major Richmond has insultingly proposed to Mr Symonds, as the mode of coercing the Company’s Agent (tho well known not to bear arms, offensive or defensive).
On the discharge of the Deborah tomorrow, I give Capt. Wing, according to agreement, a Bill drawn on you payable at sight.
I shall have to make payments in cheque or notes for the ordinary expense wages, and shall if any building or other previous works are entered on, require a further sum to the credit of the account of the Settlement at New Edinburgh with the Nelson Bank. If any draft is not in proper form, perhaps Mr Kelham will inform me in writing how to proceed in future, some conversation took place at Wellington in which he made some suggestions respecting future Bills, but other subjects have required my attention subsequently and that I cannot remember.
I enclose a tracing of the sketch already alluded to.

Frederick Tuckett.

Postscript.                                                                                                                                 Friday June 14th.

Mr Wakefield having gone down the harbour, two vessels being required, on the 12th and a gale of wind detaining the boat from returning, the negotiation for the purchase of Land is not opened.
The Bearer Mr Bath, Master of the Carbon to receive the sum of Five Pounds for the safe and speedy delivery of this despatch, provided he delivers it before the arrival of the Deborah. He will be glad of a cargo from Wellington, if non offers he will proceed to Nelson.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR12.                Transcript of Letter dated 13th June 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Daniel Wakefield

To Daniel Wakefield.                                                                               Otago, June 13th 1844.

I beg you will communicate to the Government Representative - Symonds Esq., that I wish to effect a purchase of the 150,000 acres allowed for the Settlement of New Edinburgh, in a District interjacent between the Harbour of Otago and the South Head Land, Tokata of Molineux Bay (Kuneroo?), the precise limits of such 150,000 acres to be defined hereafter on execution of the Actual Survey, the reserves within such limits, if any, are required to be defined by the Settlers. It would greatly facilitate a Clear understanding with the present proprietors for a continuous Block of Land, equal to about 12 Miles in its entire breadth (in a Course inland about due West by Compass) might be acquired. In the accompanying plan, of my sketch?, such a block of Land is indicated in the space Coloured Red and Green, the former represents the Land I would Survey and subdivide into Sections, the latter that which I consider ineligible for occupation. The Boundaries, as nearly as I can define them, would be along either shore of Otago Harbour from the entrance to the head, the summit ridge from which the water flows to the Harbour, or if preferred say ten miles back from the shore of the Harbour, of which, on an average, not more than half a mile would be available. Proceeding inland to the Head of the Tiarea Valley I would propose the adoption of the same natural boundary of the summit ridge from whence the water flows S. E. and South to the Coast by the Valley of the Kaikarai or Green River and the plain of the Tiarea.
The same natural boundary (summit ridge) on the West of the Tiarea and Tokomuroia Plains to the Bank of the River Matau, 3 miles above the separation of the Koau branch of the Matau.
From thence continuing the Western boundary, a straight line from the upper extremity of the Survey of 3 miles up the Valley of the Matau, to the head of the Sierra.
From the head or source of the Puerua, as a South Western boundary, to the Head of the stream called Kuneroo, to the sea shore - along the sea shore from 1 mile N. E. of the head of Otago harbour to the South Head land of Molineux Bay or Kuneroo, the Eastern boundary, to the Ocean, on which frontage the land proposed to be subdivided into Sections is coloured red, nowhere heading inland more than one mile.
Remarks on the District. Immediately South of the mouth of the Kuneroo (Molineux Bay), on the sea shore, 3 or 4 good houses have been erected, two of which are occupied, the one by Mr Wiltshire the other by Mr Russell, the former as agent of some party in Sidney, the latter as proprietor of land, which he purchased of the same party in Sidney. Mr Wiltshire has cleared it partially, cultivated about 10 acres of Land. Russell less than half that quantity. They have no acknowledged claim. Immediately north of the mouth of the Kuneroo, also on the sea shore, resides a few Maories, Viz. Toki the widow of Tahui, formerly chief of Kuneroo, Makauri, a young woman, Mouiliou and Touwera aged men, Raki-Raki & Tohatu young men, also three children. They have recently erected some new houses of improved construction and have a few acres of land adjoining in cultivation. These with Te Raki and Kuru of the Tiarea who reside at the Tiarea are the only aboriginal residents. Tuawaite was born on the banks of the Matau and considers himself almost Sole Proprietor. Another Tribe of Maoris once occupied this District and were very numerous but exceedingly unwarlike they were rapidly exterminated by the present owners?, the Rangitanui, and this within the present Century. I wish it to be clearly stated in the deed of purchase, or clearly explained to the Maoris and recorded, that the names of such Maoris as are now actually resident and occupiers of Land within the District described, and that other Maoris cannot, after the land is paid for reside within the District excepting on such Land as may be specially reserved for the present residents or others. The main clearings? of Te Raki are near the mouth of the Tiarea, the others on the plain on the East bank of the River, I have not coloured supposing he would not part with them, otherwise the latter I should like to acquire. The native proprietors at Otago are, I believe, Residing near to the H/mouth, I do not wish to acquire any of their usual places of residence at the entrance of the Harbour, but of the point occupied as a whaling station and thence inland on the East side of the Harbour, on which many Europeans reside, I consider it important that it should be put in our possession, either by the Magistrate or the aboriginal proprietors. 
I request you will also communicate with Mr Symonds on another subject, the practice of squatting on land purchased by the New Zealand Company has been a source of much trouble in all the former settlements here, unless some regime in essence? are practiced the evil will be greatly increased on the arrival of adventurers prior to the emigrants. I have already written to the Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company requesting that an advertisement may be inserted in the Nelson Examiner and Wellington Gazette, cautioning all persons that no employment will be afforded to any, by the Company Resident Agent, who erect houses on the Land purchased by the Company for the Settlement of New Edinburgh, prior to the distribution of the Sections. Colonel Wakefield requests me to avail myself of your assistance in communicating with Mr Symonds respecting the purchase of Land, which I do with great pleasure after the very unpleasant communication of my  previous intercourse with him. But Colonel Wakefield seems not to authorise me to request you to prepare a deed of purchase “except in the event of the present proprietors being of the European race“, his words, and if necessary by preparing proper documents for binding white Claimants to any bargain you may have to make for the cession to the Company of their Lands as allowed by the Conveyancer.
I desire also to be informed, as early as convenient, when it will suit Mr Symonds to carry into effect his proposed inspection with the present proprietors of the District which I desire to purchase for the New Zealand Company, and have delineated as accurately as I can in the accompanying Sketch, in order that I may make timely arrangements with Mr Barnicoat & Mr Davison, as my representatives, to accompany them, the former being conversant with the District, but about to return to Nelson unless I should have occasion for his services on the contemplated excursion.
It is also very desirable to attempt a negotiation with the natives for the purchase as early as possible, that I never see what chance there is of a reasonable understanding, forwarding despatches to and obtain from Wellington the money or goods required for completing the purchase.
As soon as it may be done without prejudice to the completion of the purchase of Land for the Scotch Settlement, I will return to you the correspondence of Major Richmond and others sent thro you for my information, with such comments for his information as my ideas of propriety and truth suggest. In the interim I beg to assure you that I regard him as little as Mordicai did Haman, but considering the source of the information I cannot suppress the expression of my surprise that it should have been communicated to me by any acting in the Service of the New Zealand Company.
 
                                                                                                                         Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR13.              Transcript of Letter dated 16th June 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                          Otago, June 16th 1844.

On the 14 instant I provided by Bath, Master of schooner Carbon, despatches communicating a report of my proceedings up to the date of my arrival here on the 11th inst.
I beg now to augment you with subsequent occurrences, in sequence, in consequence of the anomalous position in which I find myself placed.
Arriving here on the 11th I found Mr Symonds and Mr D. Wakefield already arrived, and on application to Mr Wakefield I received from him your letter dated May 8th, one from Mr Kelham dated 1st, and various papers addressed to Mr Wakefield from Major Richmond’s office, in one of which he is requested to show them to me for my information.
On the morning of the 13th I sent a letter to Mr Wakefield embodying three distinct subjects, but all of matter in which I was officially interested, and communicated to Mr Wakefield, in consequence of, or in reply to the communications received as above mentioned thro him (a copy whereof I here enclose).
On the evening of the 14th Mr Wakefield informed me that he had unfortunately placed in Mr Symonds hands my letter of the 13th inst, expressed his regret that I should have written to him on several subjects in our letter and requested that I would write to him to assure him that I did not intend that the letter, which I addressed to him, should be perused by Mr Symonds. With this request I promised to comply, provided the circumstances on which the application was founded were stated to me in writing, Mr Wakefield promised that he would write to me. In conversation with Mr Wakefield, at the same interview, I learnt from him that he was in possession of credentials from you fully authorising him to act in case of necessity in the capacity of Agent of the Settlement in my stead, also that he had received from Mr Kelham a sum of money considered adequate to the purchase, the disposition of which had been entrusted to him in as much as he specified that he could not consent to the disposition of a portion of it in accordance with the intimated wishes of the Col. Government, and he also mentioned that he had been applied to for payment from Jones of the passage in the Scotia of some native chiefs, to which he objected. 
I beg to state that Mr Wakefield appeared to refer to the contingency of my decease or being otherwise incapable of acting, that he subsequently offered to place in my possession the money which he had received from Mr Kelham, and that these subjects were discussed on his part with the most unexceptionable courtesy. I have heard incidentally from others that a qualified individual has arrived to act in the capacity of Interpreter.
On the morning of the 15th a letter was delivered to me addressed to the agent of the N. Z. Comp’y for New Edinburgh, but it did not specify the party by name, written by Mr Symonds, to which I replied and received from him a second letter in reply to it, this I immediately forwarded to Mr Wakefield requesting him to make arrangements in compliance with Mr Symonds wishes. I also received a note from Mr Wakefield enclosing a letter from Mr Kelham dated 18th May, and subsequently from the same Gentleman a reply to my letter, proposing the 22nd as the day for conferring with the aboriginal Proprietors respecting the proposed purchase of their Land, in which, as being the judgement of the Government Representative, I of course acquiesce, altho I fear the delay will excite much dissatisfaction amongst the native Proprietors, nearly all of whom have been already represented, I believe, either in person or by proxy. 
I send you herewith the letters to which I have alluded with copies of my own.
To elucidate the position in which I feel myself placed, I beg to remind you that your own instructions in reference to Mr Wakefield give me but a limited power to avail myself of the assistance of that Gentleman, and that this marked instruction in the words “white claimants” is in the very letter of the verbal instructions which I received from you at Wellington, and that I understood from your letter that the express object of Mr Wakefield’s coming was that by his superior tact and experience in the courtesies of official intercourse my crude purposes might be communicated to the Government Representative in a style becoming and palatable, which service I accepted with sincere satisfaction. Further that in Mr Kelham’s letter of the 1st May no allusion is made to Mr Wakefield, and in his letter of the 18th May (received yesterday) and addressed to me indirectly, his mission is only alluded to indirectly, in a complimentary manner. In the sentiments of Mr Kelham’s last letter touching my future intercourse with Mr Symonds I entirely concur and I had already studiously acted in the manner and spirit therein recommended.
It appears to me, from the discrepancies I have laid before you, that I have been morally superseded in order to appease the offended majesty of the Government Officers, if it had been done in a manly direct way I should have been little annoyed by the cause of a result which would be to me truly welcome. Acknowledging that this is only conjecture, and even should it be an unwarrantable one, still there remains an actual ground of just complaint, that I am placed in a position in which I must either fail of my duty towards my employees by allowing another to do for me that which I am at present still instructed to perform myself, or hazard their interests and fail of due deference towards an individual by whom the affairs of the Settlement would be conducted to the satisfaction of Major Richmond and Mr Kelham. I therefore beg you will relieve me at once entirely from the vexations of office which I never will hold at the expense of myself respect, or as the price of insult.
I regard it as a wanton insult that Major Richmond should have requested that it might be communicated to me for my information that Mr Symonds was instructed to avail himself of the assistance of any crew in Port to coerce me to obedience, having never in my life resisted a legal authority, and having acted officially during my late expedition strictly in conformity with both the letter and spirit of his qualified injunction to me. 

Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR14.              Transcript of Letter dated 17th June 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                          Otago, June 17th 1844.

I discharged the Deborah (Capt. Wing) on the 14 instant, having retained her from the 28th March, instead of giving the Master in payment a Bill payable at sight drawn on you as previously appointed, fearing to commit some informality in the form, I preferred, with Capt. Wings consent, to pay him in a cheque on the Nelson Branch of Union Bank, the amount £234.0.0. I thus considerably overdraw the amount with the Bank for the Settlement, especially as by the Caibon I remitted a cheque for £50 to enable Mr Thompson to complete the purchase of certain building materials, which on leaving Nelson I commissioned him to procure as soon as the site of the Settlement should be determined on.
I now write to Nelson to countermand all my requests, private and official, communicated by the Caibon, excepting that of the execution of which had been previously entrusted to Mr Thompson.
For your information, and that of my successor, I will endeavour briefly to state what in my judgement are the most important measures to be first adopted for the interests of the Settlement. First. Required from England an Iron steamer of 50 horse power, to tow vessels into the Matau and around that River (there is always upwards of 12 ft. water on the bar). 
The construction of a wharf and jetty, opposite Mr Wiltshire’s house, south of the Matau the only landing place on the beach, this could not be accomplished without possession of a Pile Driver of the best construction (say the American Patent). I do not think it would do to check the waves by opposing any wall or waling? boards, but the surf must be admitted to rush between the piles. This work would not be required if a steamer could be procured from Australia, as within the Bar, on either bank of the Matau, there is every facility for landing goods, and for a Town site that could be desired.
A Ferry boat and station at the head of the Lake Rakitoto, to convey goods, passengers & horses arriving from Otago to any part of the Matau.
A road from the head of the Waiola (vide Tearea Plain) to Rakitoto, a few water courses excepted, it is in its natural surface passable for a cart in the summer season. A Ferry boat and station, either at the head of, or elsewhere, on the Tearea River. A road from the head of Otago Harbour to the last mentioned ferry station.
And a road 6 ft. wide to be cut thro the forest from the head of Otago Harbour to my present station, this I would commence, if permitted, tomorrow, and I would let it in 4 contracts, of which a mile and a half each to 3 working men, commencing simultaneously at the centre and either extremity, the line to be set out for them by one of my assistants, it would be completed as regards the cutting and clearing in a Fortnight. The upper Harbour (to the head of which this line would conduct) is not yet surveyed, and of course cannot be surveyed until the Land has been paid for. I believe that a sufficient channel, with upwards of 12 ft. water at high water, will be found to within a mile, or a mile and a half of the Head, where there is an extensive, convenient and ornamental site suitable for a large Town in every respect, excepting its remoteness from the lower Harbour, for shipping. As the distance exceeds that contemplated by Mr Rennie in his preparation for the survey of a mature and country Town, I do not feel at liberty to determine the site, even if it had not been appointed that the Survey of Suburban Sections should be executed first.
With regards to this and the entire Survey I would propose to let in divisions at once the whole Survey of the Settlement, & each District to be first laid out in 50 acre Sections, in each District such Sections as would embrace Land of particular value in point of soil or situation and having an extent of Land adjoining them, shall be laid out in proportions adopted for subdivision into 10 acre sections, in case the Proprietor, on arrival, should wish, as I am confident many will, to depart from the proposed Plan, and select in the country a 10 acre section and a 50 acre section contiguous or in its vicinity. The Contractors would not commence staking such Sections until the whole was laid out in 50 acre Sections, unless this point should, by the early arrival of the Settlers, be already determined. The subdivision of a few 50 acre Sections would be executed within a month in each contract. The Contractors would be invited to tender for the execution of the separate Surveys at a certain price per acre for 50 acre Sections, and at a certain price for 10 acre sections, wherever such further subdivisions should be required. The lands on Otago Harbour excepted, the whole Survey may be executed with great rapidity and at a moderate expense.  
Next to the Plans of subdivision and the terms of the contract, is the importance of a vigilant examination of the contracts whilst in progress by persons of good capacity and strict integrity. The Chief Surveyor would require at least two such assistants, Mr Davison will, I believe, as one of them acquit himself creditably of its arduous duties, and considering the unsparing exertion that would be requisite in order that the examination of the contracts should keep pace with the progress of the contractors, the privations and exposure to wet and cold, such assistant inspectors ought to be remunerated on a scale more proportionate to the fair and ordinary profits derived by the contractors themselves than has hitherto been the case, less than £75 per quarter would not in my opinion be an adequate remuneration in a week against Time, certainly not likely to last more than 15 months. Such assistants, to be paid monthly, if they did not give satisfaction to their employers to be discharged at the expiration of any month. Mr Davison at present receives £241.5, being £150 salary and £91.5. in lieu of provisions?. The whole success of contracts, excepting in the infrequent accident of meeting with strictly honest men, depends mainly on the efficiency of the inspection. Several individuals are in want of Theodolites, and some of them would be deterred from tendering for a contract unless they can succeed in obtaining them. I have heard here that a Box of Instruments has arrived at Wellington, and I wish to secure the offer of a Theodolite at cost price here for Mr Barnicoat, Mr Watts, Mr Drake and for Mr Davison and the other assistant, that each of the latter may possess an instrument of his own, but if only four can be procured, to give the preference to persons desirous of contracting, securing one only for the Company’s surveyors. 
I retain Mr Barnicoat, who would otherwise have returned to Nelson by the Deborah, in the service of the N. Z. Comp’y from the 11th inst. at a salary of six Pounds per week and rations, which is the amount I agreed to pay him pending the selection of the site for New Edinburgh. The necessity of retaining arises from the requisition of the Government Representative that I should accompany him over the boundaries, and as it will be necessary to take Mr Davison that he may know the District, I must have a confidential person here, and one who can occupy himself in finishing the Plans of the Surveys already executed during the expedition. It is my wish, and it has been proposed by me, that Mr Barnicoat should shew the boundaries in my stead, which would be in every respect the best arrangement, he would record more accurately the position of Reserves, or any deviation from the proposed boundaries of the District which might be required by the Native Proprietors, and in the interim I should prepare specifications of contracts and proceed with the construction of some temporary buildings.
I shall pay Mr Barnicoat up to the 11th at my own expense, as I proposed to do, but I beg to state here that when I made that arrangement I had secured from you the offer of my present temporary appointment at the salary of each office, Agent and Surveyor in the Settlement of Nelson, and that I had no knowledge of any reduction having been made, or contemplated in the salary of the Resident Agent of Nelson, an office which was previously but inadequately paid for.
I trust you will, as you have intimated to be your intention, visit yourself this locality and judge for yourself of the most necessary preliminary works pending the arrival of the settlers.
The extent of Building ground where I have landed is very limited, and such is the case on each side of the Harbour, the Settlers and their effects ought, in my judgement to be landed at the head of the Harbour, and for this purpose two large boats (each of 5 Tons) would be required, which the Company need not to man, but let them to some competent person on conditions of his landing persons and goods at a fixed price.
Similar, but more extensive arrangements would be necessary at the Matau (on Molineux Bay). Emigrant vessels might proceed there with such passengers as were desirous of immediately occupying their Land, and of their entire satisfaction and success I should then feel confident.
I can not refrain from again representing the urgent necessity which exists for discouraging adventurers from flocking here from older settlements. We have already one lot from Taranaki, and when fifty squatters shall have encroached, it will be impossible without removing them to subdivide the Land into Sections of a quarter of an acre, not to consider the contention that will arise on the arrival of the emigrants, when they find the best ground preoccupied.
If the Company are desirous of extending their operations and forming other Settlements, and each successive Settlement is to possess the best remaining District, the next Settlement will consist of the Lands north of Otago, and the consequent concentration of capital and enterprise will atchieve (sic. achieve) the first success of colonisation in New Zealand.
Allow me in conclusion to express a hope that if I have occasioned you unexpected and unnecessary trouble by my impatience under the vexations of office, for which I admit my disqualification, by temper and taste, you will be convinced, that whilst in office I have at least done my best and am sincerely desirous to prevent any impediment to the progress of the affairs of the Settlement, by communicating all the information which I have derived, and my own opinions, under the circumstance, if such are of any value.
                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                 Frederick Tuckett.
 
PS. If the Maoris are not willing to live out of the District, I have delineated, and insist on extensive Reserves within it, it would be my wish to make some such reduction by substituting an equal portion of Land in a new District North of Otago, between the Totara and Waikawaite Rivers.    

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR15.   Transcript of a series of Letters dated 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th & 20th 
                    June 1844 between Frederick Tuckett, J. J. Symonds and D. Wakefield
                                   regarding Symonds’ disagreement with Tuckett

To The Agent of the New Zealand Company for New Edinburgh.         
Otago, June 15th 1844.

As I deem it essential that the Company Agent should be present to point out the boundaries of the intended purchase to the Aboriginal proprietors in order to prevent any misunderstanding hereafter I have the honour to request you will be pleased to accompany me for the justification of this purpose as soon as you can make it convenient to do so.

                                                                                                                 John Jermyn Symonds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To J. J. Symonds.                                                                                     Otago, June 15th 1844.

If it is indispensable that I should accompany you to point out the boundaries of the intended purchase to (sic. of) the Aboriginal Proprietors altho my absence would occasion a great hindrance to the most urgent affairs of the Settlement, it would be least inconvenient to me to leave immediately.
I beg to inform you that this contemplated journey has excited dissatisfaction of the Maori Chiefs that it has been imparted to me as my wish and act by Tiroa accompanied by a very strong expression of his antipathy, and as I am only anxious respecting the definition of the boundaries of their Reserves within the District, should they wish to reserve any land, I beg you will acquaint the Maori chiefs that this step is required of me by you.
I would submit that it is first necessary to ascertain whether they will sell the land and on what terms. I certainly should not feel justified in incurring the indirect expenses (consequent on a suspension of business) of such a journey until the terms of purchase had been determined subject to a mutual recognition of the boundaries indicated on the sketch of the District.

                                                                                                                  Frederick Tuckett.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To Frederick Tuckett.                                                                              Otago, June 15th 1844.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this days date and believe to inform you that I was not aware of any dissatisfaction prevailing among the Chiefs regarding the contemplated expedition to inspect the boundaries of the intended purchase. I entirely coincide with what you submit, that it is first necessary to ascertain whether the Aboriginal proprietors “will sell the land, and on what terms” and should recommend that a meeting of the native proprietors should be convened, as speedily as may suit your convenience, to ascertain their sentiments on all points in question.
I shall feel obliged if you will inform me, of the time and place proposed for the meeting, and shall feel happy to do all in my power to forward the views of the New Zealand Company on the occasion.

                                                                                                                 John Jermyn Symonds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
To J. J. Symonds.                                                                                     Otago, June 15th 1844.

I have the honour to inclose you a copy of a letter just received from Mr Tuckett the New Zealand Company’s agent for New Edinburgh in answer to your letter.

                                                                                                                       D. Wakefield.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To D. Wakefield.                                                                                     Otago, June 15th 1844.

I enclose for your perusal a letter just received from J. J. Symonds Esq. and shall be obliged by your convening a meeting as quickly as possible of native Chiefs and other proprietors of lands at Otago, and from hence to Molineux Bay, then the aid of the Interpreter if it is true that an Interpreter is placed at your disposal, and under your direction.
As I have no official knowledge of any individual having been employed in that capacity for my assistance, I am under the necessity in the very anomalous position in which I find myself placed of speaking and acting merely on hypothesis.

                                                                                                                 Frederick Tuckett

PS. You will also please to inform Mr Symonds of the time and place proposed for the Meeting, on my behalf.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To J. J. Symonds.                                                                                     Otago, June 17th 1844. 

I have the honour to inclose you a copy of a letter which I have received yesterday from Mr Tuckett the New Zealand Company’s Agent for New Edinburgh.

                                                                                                                        D. Wakefield.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Minim. Of a letter dated 15 June written by Mr Wakefield to Mr Tuckett - - Mr Wakefield informs Mr Tuckett that Mr Symonds had fixed that day week for a meeting of the natives for the purpose of ascertaining their sentiments respecting the intended purchase. Mr Wake. Informed Mr S. that Mr S. would form notices of the intended meeting, as well as explain the subject to the natives on the Monday following and it was expected that a considerable number would be collected - - - - 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To D. Wakefield.                                                                                     Otago, June 16th 1844.
 
It is with great regret that I learn from your favour of yesterday that the negotiation with the natives is deferred for one week, altho convinced that it will produce a very unfavourable impression on their minds, and also that it is unnecessary especially in reference to Otago, I must of course acquiesce in the judgement of the Government Representative.
If the Maori chiefs inspect the boundaries, which is very doubtful, each proprietor will only look at that which concerns himself, so that it will be effected only by incisive expeditions to each particular piece. Absolutely prohibited from acting  myself I know it to be perfectly impracticable to inspect the boundaries in Otago, where only it is of paramount importance, without a preliminary Survey, cutting lines thro the woods, I beg to remind you that I have, thro you, submitted to the consideration of the Government Representative two definitions of the boundary of the proposed purchase of Otago in either the summit ridge on either side from whence the water flows to the harbour - or a space of a mile inland on either side of the harbour from the water edges, and as yet I have not been informed which proposition is preferred - if the former the only way of showing it to the Maoris, is from the middle of the Harbour in a boat, if the latter it cannot be shown until the boundary is set out and cut.
Such are the endless difficulties consequent on having to act with parties who are not practical working men that I begin to despair of any purchase being effected.

                                                                                                                 Frederick Tuckett.

PS. Will you allow me instead of returning the papers which you sent me addressed to you by Major Richmond, to forward them to Col. Wakefield by the Deborah, and return to me Mr Symonds letter of yesterday which I also wish to enclose. I hope to furnish you with a copy of a hand to you for perusal my present correspondence with Col. Wakefield, if I fear I have not time to make a second copy thereof.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To F. Tuckett.                                                                                          Otago, June 17th 1844.

I have the honour to inform you that I am about to return to Wellington by the Deborah, as I find it impossible to carry into effect His Excellency the Governor’s instructions, in consequence of your extraordinary conduct, and correspondence, as well as your repeated opposition to any proposals suggested by me for the speedy arrangement of the purchase of lands from the native proprietors, for the intended site of New Edinburgh.

                                                                                                                 John Jermyn Symonds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here follows a private letter

To J. J. Symonds.                                                                                     Otago, June 17th 1844.

Having sent your note to Mr Tuckett informing him of your intention to return to Wellington, and of your reasons for so doing, I beg here to say that I entirely concur in the conclusion you have come to on the subject, and I am of the opinion that Mr Tucketts behaviour, since our meeting him at this place leaves no alternative for you to adopt.

                                                                                                                                D. Wakefield.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To F. Tuckett.                                                                                          Otago, June 17th 1844.

I beg leave to return the letter from Mr Symonds to you date the 15th inst. According to your request as well as to say that I have no objection to all the papers addressed to me by Major Richmond being forwarded to Col. Wakefield.
I have furnished Mr Symonds with a coy of your letter to me dated yesterday, and he has informed me that he intends to return to Wellington by the Deborah. Mr Symonds has also informed me that his reason for taking this step, is a belief that it will be impossible for him to “superintend and assist” you as agent for the New Zealand Company for the new Settlement, since by your letters and conduct you, although not expressly, but in reality reject his superintendence and assistance, and in your last letter you directly charge him with incapacity. I regret very much that Mr Symonds has been forced to come to this determination, as his absence will occasion delay in obtaining the land to be purchased from the natives, and may thereby seriously impair the New Settlement. I must also say however, that considering your conduct towards Mr Symonds as a representative of the Government here, I believe that he has recorded correctly, and will exercise a sound discretion in returning to Wellington & I shall accompany Mr Symonds, being perfectly sure that I can be of no service in any transaction between the Government and yourself who have repudiated my efforts as a mediator in a manner equally extraordinary and unjustifiable.

                                                                                                                                D. Wakefield.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To J. J. Symonds.                                                                                                 June 17th 1844.

I beg to assure you that I have not the most distant conception of what you allude to by the expression “ in consequence of my extraordinary conduct and correspondence” if it refers to letters which were not addressed to you, there is no room for any explanation, if you have been misinformed by others, I can only assure you that I am most anxious for the speedy arrangement of the purchase of lands from the native proprietors, and whilst I acquiesce in your decision, as regards time, I only desire that it might have been yet more speedily effected.

                                                                                                                         Frederick Tuckett. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Note to J. J. Symonds from F. Tuckett.                                                               June 17th 1844.

Frederick Tuckett presents his compliments to J. J. Symonds and requests to know whether it would be agreeable to him to attempt an explanation of the misunderstanding which appears to have come? Between Mr Symonds and himself, officially through the mediation of, or in the presence of Dr Munroe. He is most anxious that the interests of others should not suffer from his own incapacity for official correspondence, and has no knowledge of having given Mr Symonds any ground of offence

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Note from J. J. Symonds to F. Tuckett.                                                                June 17th 1844.

Mr Symonds presents his compliments to Mr Tuckett and begs leave to inform him that if the matter at issue were of a private instead of a public nature, he would feel most happy to avail himself of Dr Munroe’s mediation.
Under existing circumstances he cannot accede to the proposed arrangement.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To David Scott (the Interpreter).                                                             Otago, June 18th 1844.

Mr Tuckett having informed Mr Symonds that “the contemplated proceeding (that is the inspection of the boundaries of the intended purchase) has excited the dissatisfaction of the Maori Chiefs, that it has been imputed to him (Mr Tuckett) as his wish and act by Taioroa, accompanied by a very strong expression of his antipathy”. I request you will enquire, whether the dissatisfaction described by Mr Tuckett exists amongst the Maori chiefs & generally what are their sentiments respecting the intended purchase of land, and let me know the result of your enquiry.

                                                                                                                                D. Wakefield.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To F. Tuckett.                                                                                          Otago, June 18th 1844.

With reference to your letter of yesterdays date, I have the honour to inform you that as I presume you are in possession of copies of the letters you are pleased to address to Mr Wakefield, for my information and your own communication to myself, you can judge whether the matter contained therein be sufficient to justify the step which I appraised you it is my intention to resort to.
I also beg leave to state, that the information of others has in no way influenced me, but that I have acted, and act entirely upon the instructions entrusted to me by His Excellency the Governor and His Honour the Superintendent of the Southern District.

                                                                                                          John Jermyn Symonds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To J. J. Symonds.                                                                                     Otago, June 18th 1844.

I beg to acquaint you that it is my intention, on the expected arrival today of a party of Maoris from Waikawaite, to address the assembled Aborigines, in explanation of the objects of my visit here, as well as to ask their permission to remain.

                                                                                                                         Frederick Tuckett.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To D. Wakefield.                                                                                   Otakou, June 18th 1844.

 In reply to your letter of this days date stating that Mr Tuckett had informed Mr Symonds, that the contemplated arrangement of inspecting the boundaries of the intended purchase has excited the dissatisfaction of the Native Chiefs and requesting me to enquire whether this dissatisfaction described by Mr Tuckett exists among them and what are the sentiments respecting the intended purchase of lands. I beg to state that since my arrival here I have had a number of conversations with the principal Chiefs and natives generally, on both the subjects to which you refer, but more particularly this morning with “Tuhawaike”, “Taioroa”, “Pakaui” and “ Karetas” (Lucky White) who severally distinctly expressed themselves highly satisfied with, the arrangements, of pointing out and fixing the general boundary of the intended purchase, as well as the portions they wish to reserve, to prevent any future misunderstanding with the settlers, and they are all, (Chiefs and dependents without any exceptions) to my knowledge willing to sell the block described in Mr Tuckett’s Sketch Plan, subject to the reserves I have mentioned, with a copy of which they have been furnished and which was carefully examined and explained in my presence at a general meeting of the Natives this morning, the result of which was an unanimous expression of their anxiety to complete the transaction with as little delay as possible.
                                                                                         
                                                                                                                      David Scott.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To F. Tuckett.                                                                                        Otakou, June 19th 1844.

With reference to your letter of the 18th inst. In which you inform me that the contemplated proceeding, viz the inspection of the boundaries of the intended purchase has excited the dissatisfaction of the Maori chiefs, that it has been imparted to you, as your wish, and act, by “Taioroa”, accompanied by a very strong expression of his antipathy – I have the honour to transmit for your information the undated correspondence on the subject with which I have been provided by Mr Wakefield.

                                                                                                          John Jermyn Symonds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To D. Wakefield.                                                                                     Otago, June 20th 1844.

Having written a representation to the Principal Agent of the New Zealand Comp’y, Col. Wakefield, of what I conceive to be conduct on your part injurious to the affairs settlement and to myself as the acting Agent, and being prevented from preparing another copy as I had hoped to have done in consequence of being again occupied in a deferred negotiation with the Maori Proprietors in order to obtain from them for transmission to Wellington a definite offer of the Lands which I wish to purchase for the N. Z. Comp’y. I beg to acquaint you that I have requested in my letter to the Principal Agent that these representations of mine may be there laid before you.
                                                                                                                 Frederick Tuckett.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR16.              Transcript of Letter dated 19th June 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                          Otago, June 19th 1844.

On the 17th instant I received from Mr Symonds and Mr Wakefield the enclosed letter, to Mr Symonds I replied privately requesting to be allowed to attempt an explanation of our official misunderstanding, in the presence of Dr Munroe. On the 18th I received a note from Mr Symonds declining to afford such opportunity of explanation, the same morning I sent for Mr Scott, the Interpreter who accompanied Mr Wakefield, and enquired of him if he was willing to interpret an address from me, as Agent of the N. Z. Comp’y, to the natives here assembled, to which he replied (in the presence of witnesses) that he only came here to assist in the purchase for the N. Z. Company, whose agent he understood I was. I then requested him to assist me in effecting the Purchase, on which he replied that he had been informed by Mr Kelham that he was to act under the directions of Mr Wakefield, and that as the Purchase was not likely to be made he should leave the place, or words to that effect. I then wrote to Mr Symonds to acquaint him “that on the expected arrival of a Party of Maoris from Waikawaite, it was my intention to address the assembled aborigines on the objects of my visit, and to ask their permission to remain”. Subsequently I received a letter from Mr Symonds in reply to mine of the 17th instant in which he attaches to a letter sent by me to Mr Wakefield for his information. I most distinctly disallow that I have sent any letters to Mr Wakefield for his Mr Symonds information, if he intends to intimate that it was intended that he should peruse them. The whole rupture between Mr Symonds and myself has been occasioned by the acts of Mr Wakefield in handing to Mr Symonds, for perusal, my letters to Mr Wakefield of the 13th and 16th inst., which were intended merely to put Mr Wakefield in possession of what appeared to me to be the practical inconveniences and difficulties attending the execution of the measures proposed by Mr Symonds, in order that Mr Wakefield might endeavour to induce Mr Symonds to modify his intentions. In the afternoon, no boat having arrived from Waikawaite, I addressed the Maoris and did my best to explain to them the objects of my expedition, and pressed them to give me the names of all the Proprietors of Land in the District which I wished to purchase, to state some reasonable amount of payment in money or goods for which they would alienate the Lands, the amount to be paid to each Proprietor & also, if not disposed to sell the whole District, to delineate, that which they wished to reserve, on the Plan. Their expectations are perfectly childish, in fact they have no idea of the amounts which they specify, and which are too extravagant to be worth recording. I have no doubt they will eventually take whatever sum is determined on by the purchaser as the maximum that shall be given, especially if such sum shall be considered sufficient by the Government Representative.
But I fear they will adhere to their present determination to reserve a large portion of land on Otago Harbour, at present they only offer the entire Western side and the head and propose to retain the whole of the Eastern side, where there is more available land than on the Western, but I think they will submit to relinquish the Eastern side of the upper Harbour. The water on the Eastern side is generally shoal. Their argument is this, “buy and pay for the Western side first, and when you want more we will treat with you”, they are no doubt advised by some of their European connections in this matter, and for their interests the advice is certainly good. There will certainly be some difficulty about the extent of the Reserves, but the most difficult part to determine is to whom the money shall be paid, and how much to each. Tuawaite decides this point before them all very arbitrarily, by claiming it for himself, Tiroa & Kautui. The latter is more just and has dictated to a young Maori penman a succession of names of Proprietors at Otago and Tearea, of which I enclose a copy. They had been previously informed by Mr Symonds that he should return to Wellington and that no money would be paid to them until the return of the Government Representative, and altho much disappointed and vexed at having assembled together fruitlessly, they were friendly towards me and assured me that I might remain here with their consent and approbation.
Armed by yourself up to so recent a period of your approbation of my previous official conduct, I feel perfect confidence, that if it appears to you that I have been wronged, you will justify and support me, whatever may be the station or name of my accusers, and that if it appears to you that I have been in the wrong, you will afford me a full and fair opportunity of justifying myself further.
 
                                                                                                                         Frederick Tuckett.
 
PS Otago June 20th
     
 I enclose letters from Mr Symonds yesterday, after his decision to return to Wellington.      

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR17.              Transcript of Letter dated 20th June 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                                          Otago, June 20th 1844.

Annexed is an offer of the Land which I would recommend should be accepted, subject to obtaining the approbation of the Government, and its decision to whom the money shall be paid, and in what proportions to each Proprietor. Unassisted by any competent Interpreter and refused by Mr Symonds his superintendence of the Purchase, I have done my best to forward it. On the enclosed tracing of the Survey of the lower & outer Harbour, is a place on the west side called Otauhikuo?, generally called Otahuti by the Europeans, this is claimed by the sister of Tiroa, the wife of Chasland, the latter has written to John Jones requesting him to maintain his wife’s claim and not to sell it. The Maoris have offered  it notwithstanding, on my refusal to recommend the purchase of the land if they reserved any on the Western side of the Harbour. 
The fact is John Jones wishes to establish himself here immediately as a merchant, and of course does not like to lay out money as a squatter, if a water frontage Section in the Town is given to him by the Company, in return for his assistance and influence, he will endeavour to persuade the natives to abandon any land which we wish to acquire, if this cannot be done he will probably induce the natives to make a Reserve, which will answer his purpose for the occupation of which he will negotiate with them. He will oppose our purchasing the Tiaua? Island, occupied by him at present as a Whale Fishery. I have replied to his representations that it is my duty to secure for the Settlement such lands as appear to me to be the most valuable, referring  him to the Government Representative for the maintenance of any right which he may imagine he possesses. I am of the opinion that it would be advisable to endeavour to meet his wishes here by giving to him, or Chasland’s wife, a Town Section with a water frontage or else that it will be necessary to provide a sum of over Two hundred Pounds beyond that demanded by the Proprietors for the Lands which they have offered, to extinguish all claims to Land on which the natives are not actually residing.
The Maori chief wished to obtain from me a promise of the sum of Twenty four hundred Pounds, which I informed them it was not in my power to make, that I would recommend that it should be given, but that I believed it was your present intention not to exceed the sum of Twenty hundred Pounds, £2000.
I enclose a copy of a letter to Mr Symonds of the 17th inst. which I believe I omitted yesterday.
To the convenience of Parties desirous of contracting for the Survey of Lands, it will be necessary to afford them either an assurance that at the outset they may obtain here from the N. Z. Comp’y store a supply of rations, or else that in the event of any Surveyor coming here with a supply of rations, such stores, provided his Tender be not accepted, will be purchased of him by the N. Z. Comp’y, provided they are of good quality, and at the market price at the time purchased.

                                                                                                                 Frederick Tuckett. 

PS. Incessant occupation up to this evening prevents me from furnishing Mr Wakefield with extracts from my correspondence of those parts which refer to him, of this I have informed him and referred him to you for such copies, or the perusal of the originals.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR18.         Transcript of Purchase Document dated 19th June 1844
Obtained from the Maori by Frederick Tuckett 
Copy.
List of names of Maoris, Proprietors of Lands at Otago and from thence to Molineux or Tokata.
_____________________________

Taiaroa                           Karetui                       Korako                           Mikomiko
Te Raki                           Pohau                        Tepumauri Whatu          Pokene
Takamaitu                       Potiki                         Pukakaho                      Tekahu
Pikiao                             Taheke                       Tahukumea                    Tematahara
*Timoko                           Kaurehe                      Kuruikurui                     Kaikoareare
Tekauwhe                       Kahui                         Reu                                Kote
Tuaria                             Tehere                        Kolak                            Pukawa (George)
éChief of Purakaunuiù          é  Tirphe? ù             éChief of Tiroasù                   Taute    
ë         Pukukaiaotea  û          ë  Kiriaukaû            ë      Te Raki      û            [blueskins? brothers]              
         Tupepipi                          Rakuihakana              Matahasa                        Kurletter
    ______________________________

At Molineux
        
          Raki Raki                        Minihou                     Towera                  Toki, widow of Tahui  

        * A child apparently half-breed
           Disallowed by Taiaroa
____________________________

                                                          Tuawaite
                                                          Keau son of Tuawaite
                                                          Potuki (Toby) son of Kotomarama
                                                                                 Nephew of Miranui

         Harirua (Tommy Roundhead),     Kaikora,        Pitu,         Poea (Solomon),         Waitue.
_______________________________

    Otago, June 20th 1844.

The Maori Chiefs Tuawaite, Taiaroa, and Karitui offer to the Principal Agent of the N. Z. Comp’y the whole Tract of Land coloured Red and Green on this Plan, excepting a Reserve of Land on the East side of the Lower or outer Harbour of Otago from 1 to 2 on the accompanying Plan, being about 4 miles in length, measured along shore at high water mark from 1 to 2, for the sum of Twenty four Hundred Pounds, £2400, to be paid to them this day month (20th of July) or in default of the payment being made to the parties entitled to receive payment for the Land, at the time above specified, the Company’s Acting Agent, F. T. shall remove his party and effects from the ground which he now occupies, and until the 20th of July has their permission to occupy.

Signed on behalf of themselves and others by Tuawaite, Taiaroa and Karitui, 
       and witnessed by John Jones, J. W. Barnicoat and Frederick Tuckett.

Otago June 19th 1844.

Tuawaite chief of Karero (Molineux) declares that he has never sold any Land within the District, described on the sketch of a District proposed to be purchased for the Settlement of New Edinburgh, other than a small piece of Land south of the stream Karero, which he sold in 1839 to William Jones of Sidney, and which Mr Wiltshire has built on and cleared, and for that piece of Land he received in Payment Twenty Pounds. £20.

                                              Signed by Tuawaite.
                                 Witnessed by J. W. Barnicoat and Frederick Tuckett.       

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2

FTS-OLR19.     Letter dated 28th June 1844 from Col. W. Wakefield 
   to the Court of Directors New Zealand Company

Colonel Wakefield to the Secretary of the Company.

New Edinburgh.

No. 5/44.	                                                    Wellington, New Zealand, 28th June, 1844. 

sir,
I have the honour to forward to you, for submission to the Court of Directors, copies of letters, and a diary by Mr. Tuckett, respecting his movements since I last reported their progress.
The decision he has come to, to fix the New Edinburgh Settlement at and near Otago, is satisfactorily accounted for by his description of the relative merits of the places he has explored. I need not make any remarks on the zealous manner in which Mr. Tuckett has performed his task further than to express my entire satisfaction at having had the advantage of his judgment and unwearied exertions in determining so important a point as the locality of the proposed Settlement.
The accompanying tracings will be useful in the perusal of his diary, and to show the position of the lands to be appropriated, in the absence of a regular survey. 

                                                                 I have the honour, &c.
                                                                                                    W. Wakefield.

The Secretary of the New Zealand Company.

The Tuckett Collection, Hocken Library, Dunedin. N. Z.

FTS-OLR20.             Transcript of Letter dated 5th August 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                        New Edinburgh, August 5th 1844.

In the acct. which I prepared of the expenses of the Preliminary Expedition to the period of your departure on the 31st ultim I omitted to carry into the account the amount of the invoice of Goods shipped from the N. Z. Comp’y store at Nelson, which does not appear in my cash Books (vis £56. 17. 10½), I also omitted to forward the letter to the Manager of Nelson Bank enclosing for acceptance and to be placed to my account two bills drawn on you at three days sight, in favour of self, for salary from March 2nd to June 30th, one for £96.3.0, the other for £128.4.4. Karetai has purchased, for £120, the small schooner in which Dr Selwyn visited the coast of this Island, and intends sailing for Port Nicholson tomorrow, which affords me an opportunity for correspondence. If there are any letters or newspapers lying at the Wellington Post Office addressed to me, I should esteem it a favour if they could be forwarded on return of this schooner if no earlier opportunity should present.
 
                                                                                                                 Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR21.             Transcript of Letter dated 6th August 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                        New Edinburgh, August 6th 1844.

The pair of Sawyers (Scott & Lethbridge) from Taranki have refused to execute an order for sawn Timber to be delivered on the Company’s Reserve at 12/- per hundred feet. Valuing the Timber here on the Town site at 3/- per hundred feet (which they agree to pay if allowed to cut on their own speculations), my offer is equal to 15/- per hundred ft. which is a higher rate of remuneration for the working man than has been as yet obtained by the Proprietor in New Zealand, and therefore can not be afforded. It appears to me to be important to resist exaction at the outset or rather to counteract it, and altho the mill sawn timber of Nelson & perhaps of Wellington is bad & much more expensive if required to be planed, I would yet prefer expending the difference, if it cannot be avoided, in an increased number of days work for the Carpenters.
As I have already sent to Nelson an order for the same quantity and dimensions, I do not propose that this should be cut at Wellington on purpose, but mention the circumstances hoping that Parties there may be induced to ship Timber in such quantity as to ensure reasonable charges here.
Three pair of surveyors (beaches from Waikawaite) are at work on the other side making houses with the Timber where it is most convenient for the saw pit for water carriage. I have given them notice that the Timber is the property of the N. Z. Comp’y purchased for the Settlement of New Edinburgh, and have also offered them employment at the head of the Harbour at 12/- per hundred feet, which I think they will accept. I would rather not encourage them to remain here, but I think it preferable to arguing directly or indirectly in their disregard of the right of property.
Excepting on each Town site I do not propose to attempt to prevent any sawyers from cutting Timber for sale to persons squatting on the Lands purchased by the Comp’y, but not to allow of it being sold (unless purchased from me) to persons residing on the Native Reserves. An opportunity offers of forwarding this by the schooner from Jacobs River which Karetai has purchased and Harwood charters.
The Barque Magnet with Mr Jones arrived from Auckland bringing, I am informed, a few adventurers, she proceeds south to the Whaling Stations for oil.

                                                                                                                         Frederick Tuckett.

I have drawn a Bill at three days sight on you for £20 Twenty Pounds, in favour of Walther Christie, as compensation for house and enclosure on the East shore of Otakau Harbour.
Two schooners off the Harbour mouth reported to be the Shepherdess and the Scotia. The Magnet is going north far out and has not brought any one for the settlement.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR22.             Transcript of Letter dated 17th August 1844 from
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                                      New Edinburgh, August 17th 1844.

I have accepted a Tender from Mr Thomas for the survey of Contract No. 4 (Tairea Plain) at the price of seventeen pence per acre, and from Mr Drake for the survey of Contract No. 3 at fourteen pence per acre (Tokomuroia Plain and coast at the mouth of the Tairea River).
I write to request that Provisions, Pork and Flour, not biscuit, black tea, not green and coffee, may be sent in proportion to the quantity which Mr Thomas may intimate that he requires, to the extent of about five times such quantity, anticipating that each contractor may require about the same quantity in advance.
I have allowed Mr Drake to have the new Theodolite which you brought here with you, and that he may commence work immediately. I shall therefore require another in its stead by the earliest opportunity, and two good 66ft measuring chains.
When I left Nelson there was some stock of English made american felling axes in the N. Z. Comp. Store of which I should like to obtain twenty as soon as possible.
Bad tools and material such as the bell hooks, grindstones and several other implements received from Wellington by the Carbon, would be dear at any price? because using such no man could do more than half a days work.
Please to inform me what is the cost price here of the Theodolite which I have spared to Mr Drake. Mr’s Nicholson & Allom appear to me to be competent surveyors, whether they can manage their party adequately I cannot yet judge, Mr Allom having been kept from going out in the field by a badly inflamed leg accompanied with ulcerations & boils, he is however nearly recovered and will, I have no doubt, next week divide the party of labourers who have been more than Mr Nicholson could employ to advantage. 
I enclose an note received from John Eslick to stop his wife’s pay at Wellington, he offers no reason for this step other than that she was living with her friends and did not require it. I have informed him that I shall not allow him more than the original bal. of his wages, vis eleven shillings per week until you inform me that the payment of ten shillings per week to her has been discontinued, and that I do not imagine that you will allow the original arrangement to be infringed unless with the consent of his wife.
With regards to letting the contract surveys I have been placed in a position in which it was almost impossible to act with strict justice towards the Proprietor, the surveyors already arrived and others expected from Nelson, I have endeavoured to meet the interests of all parties in some measure by accepting two Tenders without further delay, leaving the remainder, in consequence, open until the arrival of the Nelson surveyors.

Of the two Parties highly recommended by yourself, Mr Thomas & Mr Coffs, the former tendered as follows.

For No. 1 - at the rate of seventeen pence per acre.
For No. 2   at the rate of twentysix pence per acre.
For No. 3    at the rate of sixteen pence per acre.  
For No. 4    at the rate of seventeen pence per acre.
this excepted, for extra cutting eighteen pence per chain
   ___________________________________

Mr Coffs has tendered.

For No. 1 at ten pence per acre.       and
              2 at ten pence   “    “           nine pence per chain
              3 at ten pence  “     “           for extra cutting.
              4 at ten pence  “     “
    ______________________________________

I have let No. 3 at (½) fourteen pence per acre, extra cutting per chain twelve pence. I consider No. 4, worth about sixteen pence per acre (let at seventeen per acre) and eighteen per chain, and No. 2 about twenty two pence per acre.
I cannot therefore regard Mr Coff’s tender, at one uniform low price, as other than a symptom of incapacity, but if he will give security for the execution of the contract, or anyone for him, I shall be very happy to accept such a Tender if his friends would approve and advow it.
I have been delayed for want of sawn Timber but I hope to have a store house ready for the reception of stores next week

                                                                                                                         Frederick Tuckett.

PS. 
Without a small quantity of English coal the Forge sent is of no use, about half a cwt of steel would be useful, the smith at the Settlement has not any.
Hereafter if more iron should be required half of it should be four times the dimension and some of it less than twice of that which has been received, which I must endeavour to resell. The iron work required in a new settlement is for the most part very heavy.
Three paint brushes purchased of Wallace already stated in Invoices by Carbon to have been shipped, delivered to the charge of Mr Nicholson, were not received by him, nor to his knowledge on board the Carbon.  

The Theodolite required is a 5 inch one.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR23.                Transcript of Letter dated 15th August 1844 
from Frederick Tuckett to Mr J. C. Drake, Surveyor

To Mr J. C. Drake, Surveyor.                                             New Edinburgh, August 15th 1844.

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your Tenders for Contracts No’s 3, 5 and 6 and inform you that I am willing to accept your Tender for Contract No. 3, subject to you signing the second copy of the Specification of the terms and conditions of the contract, in my presence.

                                                                                                                 Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR24.            Transcript of Letter dated 16th August 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett presumably to the Company Stores

                                    New Edinburgh, August 16th 1844. 
Presumably to the Company Stores.

I have accepted a Tender from Mr J. C. Drake for the Survey of Contract No. 3. Settlement of New Edinburgh, subject to his procuring a Theodolite, which I have no objection to his receiving in advance from the N. Z. Comp’y instruments, the cost price at Wellington to be deducted from the contract price on the survey.

                                                                                                                         Frederick Tuckett. 

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR25.             Contract not dated Written by Frederick Tuckett 

Contract No. 4.   Specification.

______________________________

This contract includes the Tiarea Plain on each side of the Tiarea River, bounded on the East and West by a range of hills, and terminates northwards at a point where the hills on either side approaching the River issues from a narrow valley. The Southern termination on the east side of the Tiarea is line M R the boundary of a native reserve, the cutting of which is included in contract No 3. On the West side of the Tiarea a line as A B vide sketch of the District, as if hereafter found available in the dry season of the year, the banks of the Waipui River and Lake to the River Tiarea.

______________________________ 

The eastern side and the upper or northern extremity of the District to be first surveyed.
A Traverse line on the east bank of the River is to be cut and cleared about 20 links from high water mark, from one extremity to the other, and subsequently a Base line connecting the extremities of such Traverse line.
From such Base line, at intervals of 181 chains, lines at right angles to the Base line east to the Hills and west to the Traverse line along the course of the River. When the preliminary lines have been cut and measured the Plan of subdivision into Sections will be decided on by the company’s chief Surveyor, on receipt of a Plan on which the contractor shall have plotted these preliminary Lines. It is contemplated that the whole should be first subdivided (but not staked) into Sections of Fifty, and subsequently that the most eligible of these shall be again subdivided into Sections of ten acres each. Assuming for the sake of illustration that the proportions to be adopted for the Fifty acre sections are thirty five chains by fifteen. The contractor will lay out the tract of Lands, as far as may be practicable, in Blocks of 90 chains by 35, leaving a space of sixty links between each two Blocks as a Roadway, and subdividing each of these Blocks into six Sections each of 35 chains by 15 as such more of sections of 50 acres of Land, not water as can be allowed in each Block. The excess in the quantity of each Section above fifty acres will admit of any deflection in the course of the Roads, which hereafter to facilitate their construction may be found desirable. Such regular Plan of subdivision to be deviated from adjoining the course of water, substituting such water courses as boundaries in front of sections wherever practicable.
Lines are to be cut along each Boundary of each Section (Vide Note) four feet in width on and above the ground clear of all growth. The Blocks and the Sections in each Block are to be numbered progressively. At each corner of each Block a stake, in length four feet, in scantling four inches by three, shall be driven thirty inches into the ground, and on the outer faces of such stakes shall be branded the number of the Block and on the inner faces of the stakes the numbers of the corner sections of the Block.,
At each corner of each section, not being the corner of a Block, a stake in length thirty inches and in scantling three inches by two and a half, shall be driven twenty inches into the ground, and on two of the opposite sides of such stake shall be branded the corresponding number of the sections: All stakes to be of sawn and sound timber either Maui (black pine), Totara or Titoki.
A ranging rod distinguished by a piece of white paper or cloth, higher than the adjacent growth, to be placed firmly in the ground at each stake.
The boundary lines of each Block and each Traverse line to be accurately ranged and measured by the contractor.                    

____________________________
Note. each section of woodland or for the most part of woodland, and each section having a water frontage, or a frontage on a roadway between the Sections and the water, and in respect of all other sections along the boundaries of each Block of single Sections, and the measurements indicated on Pegs driven in the ground at intervals of ten chains or less.

The contractor shall renew any of the ranging rods or stakes from time to time during the progress of the Survey until its final completion, should any of them, up to the period of completion of the whole, have been removed or defaced. The contractor will be required to complete the Survey of Fifty Sections of Fifty acres each of Land monthly, or in the first month, before the sections are subdivided, to cut lines in linear measurement to the extent of 3000 (2400) chains. On completion, in all respects as required and here specified, of one Hundred Sections of Fifty acres each, or of that acreage in sections of other quantities, the contractor will be entitled to require the company’s Surveyor to inspect such portion of the Survey within two weeks of a notice being received by the company’s chief Surveyor, such notice to be a written one declaring that such a quantity has been executed according to this specification and as represented in the Plan, which will be required with each written notice, such Plan to be a reduction of the working Plan accurately plotted showing the position and extent of the Survey included up to the Date of such notice. The contractor shall provide the company’s chief surveyor, or any other person appointed by him to examine the Survey, with a competent guide and chainman if required. Such portion of the Survey having been examined by the company’s surveyor, and found to be accurately completed, the contractor shall then be entitled to immediate payment on a certificate from the company’s chief surveyor of its extent and accuracy, payment to be made by Bills of three days sight on Col. W. Wakefield, Principal Agent, Wellington.
On the Plans the Blocks and Sections are to be distinguished by numbers and the Roadways by letters to facilitate in correspondence a reference to any portion of the Survey. The contractor shall plot the Plan of the Survey on a scale of twenty chains to the inch. He shall keep his Field books in ink and deliver them with a mounted Plan of the Survey to the company’s chief surveyor on completion of the whole survey. The Field Books and working Plan he shall submit to the examination of the company’s surveyor whenever required during the progress of the Survey.
The position and range of all hills, water course and woods bounding the District surveyed, and within the limits of such District there extent, shall be ascertained by the contractor and accurately delineated on the Plans of his Survey.
As no deposit nor security is required of the contractor it is expressly stipulated that until he has completed the required quantity of or equal to fifty sections of fifty acres each, monthly from the date of this contract, he shall not be entitled to any advance of money on his contract, and also that if he shall require the company’s surveyor to inspect any portion of the Survey which has not been accurately executed in accordance with this Specification, he shall be liable to a permanent deduction of Twenty five per cent on the contract price for the survey of the quantity of five thousand acres in the Survey of which any inaccuracy may be found, and all further payments on the contract shall be deferred until the contractor shall have requested a fresh examination of the corrected Survey, and until the same shall be certified to be correct by the company’s chief surveyor. Any difference in judgement as to the terms and fulfilment of this contract shall be referred to the decision of two arbitrators, one to be chosen by the chief surveyor, the other by the contractor. The arbitrators to choose an umpire whose decision, if appealed to, shall be final. The expenses of such arbitration to be defrayed by the Party against whom the arbitrator, or the umpire, shall decide. Both the arbitrators and the umpire shall each be a Proprietor of an allotment of Land in the Settlement of New Edinburgh.
If the preliminary lines specified should not be adopted as the boundary lines of Sections, they will be paid for at the price per chain specified in the contractors accepted Tender for extra work. Another Base line connecting this with the adjoining Surveys is to be executed by the contractor if required hereafter by the company’s chief surveyor and also to be paid for as extra work at - per chain where it does not serve as a boundary of Sections.
The subdivision of each Fifty acre Sections into Ten acre Sections, three of 21 chains by 5 and two of 14 chains by 7.50, will only involve the expense of additional stakes, and in the case of woodland or water frontage, additional cutting of other lines to the extent of 71 chains, but in the case of all other land, only 15 chains increase of cutting.
Sealed Tenders to be sent in on or before the 1st of August evening, stating the price per acre on the nett acreage of each Section of Fifty acres of land, Ten acres (as sold & to be delivered to the Proprietors) for the execution of a Survey according to this Specification, and the price per chain for any extra work required of the contractor.
The lowest Tender will not necessarily be accepted, only such as are accepted will be acknowledged, such Parties being invited to sign their contracts within one fortnight ensuing.

                                                                                                                         Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR26.             Transcript of Letter dated 15th August 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Mr Jos. Thomas

To Mr Jos. Thomas.                                                 Port of New Edinburgh, August 15th 1844.

No one regrets more than myself the suspension in which you have been so long held in reference to the disposal of the survey of this Settlement.
Your loss in common with the coming Proprietors of such precious time is the work of those Parties, who by a miserable intrigue prevented me from effecting in the month of June the purchase of the District which I had selected for the settlement of New Edinburgh.
I am in a difficult position in which it is almost impossible to act with strict justice to the Proprietors, to the Surveyors expected from Nelson, and to yourself, I therefore deferred opening your Tenders until this evening, doubtful whether I could do so with propriety.
Having now considered them, I will submit to you two propositions, either that you defer receiving a decision as to Contract No. 1 until I can be satisfied that I shall not receive a more advantageous offer, or that I accept your Tender for the Survey of Contract No. 4, subject to you making a reduction of sixpence on your price per chain for extra work, and to your signing the broad specification in my presence as the act of taking the contract.
Providing that you fully understand the terms and conditions of the Contract, which appears to me to be doubtful, I therefore extract from the original specification the particular clauses which it occurs to me that you may have overlooked.

“ It is contemplated that the whole should be first subdivided (but not staked) into Sections of Fifty, and subsequently that the most eligible of these shall be again subdivided into Sections of ten acres each, if hereafter required.
                                       ____________________________

“ On completion in all respects etc etc etc  of one hundred sections of fifty acres of Land each or of that acreage in sections of other quantities
                                       ____________________________

“  The subdivision of each Section of Fifty acres into sections of Ten acres, say three of 21 chains by 5, and two of 14 chains by 7.50 - will involve the expense of additional stakes, and with the case of woodland or water frontage, additional cutting to the extent of 71 chains, but in the case of all other sections Land only 15 chains of cutting.
                                      _____________________________
   
“ Sealed Tenders to be sent in etc etc etc stating the price per acre on the nett acreage of each section of Fifty acres of Land, and of each section of Ten acres of Land as sold etc etc etc and a price per chain for any extra work required of the contractor.
                                      _____________________________

If you meant to provide for the continuity of subdividing into 10 acre sections under the head of extra work, I have no objection to such form provided it is so declared, and not exceeding eighteen pence per chain, as the price of extra cutting, which is I believe sixpence per chain higher than I have before accepted on unwooded ground.
I have likewise accepted a Tender from Mr Drake for the survey of the adjoining contract No. 3 - 0f which I inform you thinking you might probably with mutual advantage make joint arrangements for boating your provisions, implements etc on the River Tiarea, or that one might wish to carry for the other at a fixed price.  

                                                                                                                 Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

FTS-OLR27.  Transcript of Report dated 31st August 1844 from Col. 
William Wakefield to the Secretary of the Company

Colonel Wakefield to the Secretary of the Company.

New Edinburgh.

No. 7/44	                                                                                 Nelson, 31st August, 1844.

sir,
My letter to you, of the 3rd of July last, will have acquainted the Court of Directors with my intention to proceed to Otago, to complete the purchase of the lands selected by Mr. Tuckett for the New Edinburgh Settlement, which had been obstructed by the bad understanding between Mr. Symonds, the officer appointed by his Excellency Governor Fitzroy to superintend and assist the purchase on the part of the Government, and the Company's Agent.
Commissioner Spain having consented to accompany me on his way to Nelson,  taking with him Mr George Clarke, the Sub-protector of Aborigines, his Secretary and his attendants; and Mr. Symonds being instructed by Major Richmond, the Superintendent of the Southern Division, to return to Otago, upon the understanding that he would, in the future progress of the purchase, communicate with me instead of Mr. Tuckett; I chartered the schooner Deborah, of 120 tons, which would convey the whole party; and the master of which, Capt. Wing, is perfectly competent, from his nautical skill, his general knowledge of the coasts of New Zealand, and particularly from his experience of that part of the Southern Island selected by Mr Tuckett, to ensure a speedy voyage.
We sailed from Port Nicholson on the 7th of July, and I have now the honour to report to you, for the information of the Court of Directors, my proceedings since that date. The fair wind with which we left Cook’s Strait ceased on our reaching over to the Southern Island, and we were employed from the 8th to the 15th of that month in the usual pastimes of a coasting voyage (varied only by lying-to for two days in a south-east gale off the Lookers-on), when we anchored in Otago harbour. The schooner was boarded outside the Heads by Mr. Davison, one of the Company’s assistant-surveyors, in a small boat.
The first impressions created by the sight of the harbour are extremely favourable. Lying open to the north, it is entered with a fair wind from the other Settlements of New Zealand, and from Australia.
This also prevents any delay at the Heads, on leaving the port. A fair wind out of harbour takes a vessel soon free of the land, and, if seized at the commencement, may carry a ship of average sailing qualities to Cook's Strait in forty-eight hours.
The distance between Port Nicholson and Otago is 320 miles. There is no lee-shore, except in the bays along this coast, with the winds that usually blow with any violence. That from the north-east is known for its mild character. Its northern aspect, moreover, renders Otago much more agreeable than if it opened to the south;* as do Akaroa, Port Underwood, and Port Nicholson. The morning sun enlivens every part of the harbour, which is protected from the cold wind by an amphitheatre of hills. The wind prevails from the S.W., which draws right down and out of the harbour; but this need not prevent a vessel bound to the place, and unable to enter the port in consequence of its strength, from anchoring in perfect safety at about a quarter of a mile from the eastern head (called Taiaroa's head), in smooth water of about eight fathoms depth, with good holding ground. Ample sea room presents itself to strange vessels unable to fetch into the anchorage before nightfall. The sand-banks which lie immediately within the heads are of inconsiderable extent, and have, according to Captain Wing, who sounded carefully all over the entrance, three fathoms and a half of water on them at dead low-water, spring tides. The accompanying tracing of a chart, however, made

* It will be remembered that, in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun is North, at Noon. 
by an officer of the Astrolabe, under the celebrated Dumont D'Urville (the soundings on which have been reduced to French fathoms of 5½ feet English), gives less water in those parts which are encircled with lines; and it will be part of my first instructions to Mr. Tuckett to immediately verify that chart by fresh soundings, and to place buoys on the shoal places, and on the points of the sand spits - both at the entrance and along the course of the channel of the harbour, up to the anchorage in front of the site determined on for the seaport town of the Settlement. Inside the heads the channel narrows, and the soundings must be carefully attended to by navigators, to prevent their vessels running aground, until the points of the sandbanks shall be marked by buoys or stakes. The Deborah staid half an hour on the tail of a sand spit, as we worked up the harbour, till the rising tide, with the assistance of a kedge-anchor, took her off. The tide runs about three miles an hour, and may be made good use of in working a vessel up or down the harbour; as the port is land-locked on three sides, the sea seldom rises on the banks; and the sandy nature of the bottom prevents damage to small vessels touching it. Pilots and buoys will hereafter render the channel extremely easy to navigate vessels not exceeding five hundred tons burthen up to the islands; but larger vessels will find safe anchorage a mile inside the heads abreast of the village, which has sprung up there from its having been the site of a whaling station, and the residence of the Natives visiting the harbour on their voyages from Banks’ Peninsula to Foveaux's Strait. An American whaler of 600 tons - was lying there lately to refresh. A great advantage presents itself at Otago over Port Cooper, in the abundance of timber and fire-wood that grows on its shores.
At Port Cooper, half the labourers’ time would be consumed in bringing fuel from a distance from any suitable site for a Settlement; and it may be safely asserted, that a section of 50 acres there would not pay the cost of fencing, and building on it, in the course of the owner's life. The neighbourhood of Otago is, on the contrary, essentially, as was observed to me by a labouring man from Nelson, a poor man's country — containing good land and plenty of wood. The plains in the vicinity of Banks’ Peninsula would be more appropriately colonised under a system of division of the land into sections of not less than a square mile each, with facilities to flock-holders and capitalists to acquire a contiguous property to an extent to meet their means and wishes. Happily, the block of land purchased by the Company for the Settlement of New Edinburgh, out of which we are at liberty to select 150,000 acres to meet the engagements made with purchasers, contains, in the immediate neighbourhood of the good land that will be surveyed as properties, extensive tracts of excellent pasture grounds, which will be open to all under the sanction of the Government; and outside the boundary of the block, to the westward, there is an extent of land of the same nature — boundless to the view, untrodden by the foot of man, and affording abundant food for sheep and cattle during the whole year, with the exception of a few weeks in the winter, when the uplands are covered with snow; during which time the plains and valleys yield a more abundant herbage than in the heats of summer.
Upon my arrival at Otago, I found that Mr. Tuckett had left but little to be done beyond completing the purchase of the land, by distributing the payments to the Natives. My previous letters, covering his reports, will have acquainted you with the size of the block, its position, and the stipulated price. It remained only to verify the boundaries in the presence of some of the principal vendors, and of the reserves made by them for themselves and families, in order to prevent, as far as possible, any future question.
For this purpose Mr. Symonds proposed that we should perambulate the boundaries of the block, or so much of them as would enable us to see the principal natural limits of it. That officer, Mr. G. Clarke, the Sub-Protector of Aborigines, and I, accordingly commenced our journey for that purpose, on the 18th of July, accompanied by six Natives, deputed by the assembled Natives of the district, to point out the boundaries of the block described in the traced plan, which I have already forwarded to you, and to give the names of the great natural land-marks of the district, to be recorded in the deed of conveyance.
Before leaving Hoputai, which you will observe by the chart is a small bay near the islands, and about mid way between the entrance of the harbour and its head, I examined with Mr. Tuckett the capabilities it affords for the site of a seaport town. The land available for building around and contiguous to the bay consists of about 150 acres. The face towards two sides of the bay is steep, but on the top there is table land, and at the base sufficient level to afford room for a road. Warehouses might be also built almost even with the water, by excavating back into the hill. The great advantages of the site are, its being perfectly sheltered both from wind and swell of the sea, and having four and five fathoms water close to a sufficient part of its shores, for the construction of ample wharfs and quays.
Bearing in mind Mr. Rennie's proposition to the Court of Directors, based on the description of Port Cooper and its neighbourhood, that we should be instructed to avail ourselves of any such site for a seaport town, independently of the town of New Edinburgh, which should be in connection with the agricultural and pastoral district, I confirmed Mr. Tuckett's intention of allotting a portion of the town sections at Hoputai, reserving the larger portion of them for the principal town. The shores of the harbour of Otago are, as I have already said, densely wooded. The hills are not so steep as around Port Nicholson, and the soil is, generally speaking, better adapted for husbandry. The distance from the heads of the port to its termination is about fourteen miles. A channel runs throughout its whole length; but it has not yet been precisely ascertained what depth of water there is to the south of the islands, or in the upper harbour, as it may be called. Near the islands there are 15 fathoms, and a small vessel that took some of the surveyors and stores, carried three fathoms all the way up the harbour. When the channel is marked with stakes on the sand banks, similarly to the upper part of Portsmouth harbour, and with two or three buoys near the entrance, no harbour that I have seen will be more convenient; but in order to make it the most safe and commodious harbour of New Zealand, it requires a small steam tug, which, when not engaged in towing vessels in or out, might be advantageously employed in plying between the port and the town. The Directors are so well aware of my opinion that steam navigation between the Settlements of these islands would not be an advantageous enterprise in the present state of their colonisation, that I have less hesitation in impressing on them the expediency of encouraging by some bounty, to be defrayed out of the fund for general preparations and improvement of the Settlement, and by any other means in their power the introduction of steam power in the harbour of Otago. Supposing the machinery to be brought from England, there is abundant material for building vessels for the purpose on the spot.
On the whole I consider Otago as an excellent harbour. It has hitherto been thought to have a bar at its entrance, which is not the case; but the soundings are exceedingly irregular; and I am inclined to think that they vary after a strong northerly gale, by which the sand may be shifted, which circumstance would account for the difference between the computations of D'Urville and those of others.
For picturesque beauty Otago only yields to Akaroa amongst the harbours of these islands. The latter in this respect is unrivalled., and indeed possesses but one fault; namely, that of the height of its heads, which frequently causes vessels to be becalmed between them, when, without ready precautions, they may drift ashore. An American whale ship was thus lost a few years ago, but I am assured that with proper care she might have been saved by her boats. The loss of the cutter Brothers, recorded by Captain Smith, is solely attributable to keeping fast the mainsheet during a squall of wind.
To pursue the narrative of our perambulation of the boundaries. On arriving at the head of the upper harbour, an unexceptionable site for a town presents itself to the view. The character of the country here entirely changes. The land lies in long slopes or downs, upon which grows good grass mixed with shrubs indicative of a strong soil. The aspect of the town will be northerly [facing the meridian sun,] and fronting the harbour. To the west of it some undulating slopes, covered to the waters edge with beautiful timber and copse wood, offer space for several hundred ten-acre sections, semi-circling a cove almost dry at low water. To the south the uplands, which separate the large promontory in which the harbour is found from the level pastoral country of the main, rise gradually as a protection from the cold winds. To the eastward is an opening in the chain of hills that belt the coast between the eastern head of Otago and Cape Saunders, across which extends a barrier of recent sandy formation, shutting out the sea, which in former times evidently flowed through what is now the harbour of Otago. The site of the town thus fixed at the head of the navigation of the port, and at the commencement of the rural lands of the Settlement in their whole length, abounds in wood and fresh water. The waters of the harbour teem with fish of the best sorts. The haboulca is taken in great quantities near the shipping town; flat fish and oysters in all the bays.
Beyond the first ridge of down, which forms the southern horizon from the harbour, lies an undulating country covered with grass. This is more or less good, according to position and aspect, and has been much deteriorated in places by extensive and repeated burnings, which impoverish the land. The worst of it, however, affords abundant food for sheep.
The anise plant, so valuable as pasture for sheep and cattle, abounds over all the land we traversed. It is this plant that renders the plain of the Waimea, near Nelson, so propitious to the fattening of stock. I have never tasted such well flavoured meat as that fattened on the natural pastures near Nelson. The plant is also found in abundance near Port Cooper, and in the Wairarapa valley, near Port Nicholson. I have not seen it further north, or in any district where fern abounds. Its chief property seems to be a warming tonic. As such I believe some preparation of its seed is given in racing stables in England, as a condition ball. It arrives at its full growth during the summer; but in many places during our journey, I found it at this season of the year 18 inches in length, and scarcely a square foot of ground without a root of it. In the uplands we found snow in some places knee deep, and the ground frozen to the depth of an inch, but on our return these indications of a severe climate had disappeared before some days as warm as those of summer. The vicinity of snowy eminences is highly estimated by flock owners, particularly where the downs are round topped and in long slopes, so that the gradual tricklings from the melting snows go to nourish the roots of the grasses. After traversing these downs for five miles from Otago, we overlooked the plain of the Taieri, which contains about 40,000 acres of land, and is intersected by the river of the same name, navigable for large boats twelve miles from the sea, which it reaches at about 25 miles from Otago. About two-thirds of the plain are now available. The remainder is subject to inundations, but may be reclaimed and rendered more valuable than the higher parts.
One considerable forest of useful timber trees and two smaller ones, are seen on the plain in evidence of the lapse of time since it was covered with water. The river will be very useful as a communication between the lands I have mentioned and the sea, and as connected with the Waihola Lake, from whence the plain of the Tokomairaro is easily reached. The Taieri plain is enclosed on three sides with mountains, that to the westward being one thousand feet high, and thickly covered with snow at this season, is called Manugatua or God’s Hill. This range forms the inland or western boundary of the block for between thirty and forty miles to the south of Otago. Having verified the limits of the block thus far, we found it advisable to descend to the sea coast, to pursue our journey to south. We struck the beach abreast of St. Michael’s Mount, at the mouth of the little river, the Kaikarai. Our route lay along the sea shore to the mouth of the Taieri River. From thence we proceeded by water up the Taieri River to the head of the Waihola lake, and on foot to a high hill called Owiti, which overlooks the plains of the Tokomairaro. This spot is about in the centre of the block, and from it we discovered the course of the Matao or Molineux River, the range of mountains forming the western boundary as far as the Matao, and the range which bounds the block on the south. We thus satisfied ourselves and the Natives who accompanied us as to the precise extent of the intended purchase and received from them as in the other purchases for the Company, the Native names of the various natural land-marks that we pointed out, for the purpose of recording them in the Deed of Conveyance.
The land at the head of the Waihola Lake consists of undulating downs, round topped, and covered with herbage, grass of various descriptions, and anise of larger growth than any I have previously seen. Quails are plentiful over all these downs, and in the plains adjoining, and would be more so, but for hawks and kites.
Hereafter it will become the business of the Scotch sportsmen to give rewards for their destruction. The view from Owiti is very extensive. At its base, to the S.W. lies the plain of the Tokomairaro, containing about 14,000 acres. To the east, hills, to the breadth of seven miles, extend to the coast. To the north lies the portage of six miles between it and the Waihola; and to the west, undulating prairies of boundless extent, available for cattle and sheep three parts of the year. It would be a most advantageous and attractive thing to the Settlement, if some Scotch proprietors would send some red deer to be turned out here. In the course of a few years there is no doubt they would increase largely. The sport of hunting them would be highly attractive, and would conduce to the improvement of the breed of horses, and afford a manly amusement to the young Colonists, fitting them for the more serious occupations of stock keeping and wool growing. The communication with this country from Otago is extremely easy. Water carriage can be made use of down the Taieri to the head of the Waihola Lake. A good road may be made without much expense from thence to Rakitoto. A short portage thence to Kaitangata Lake and to the Molineux River and District.
For a detailed description of the Molineux plain, which we had not time to visit, I have great pleasure in referring the Court of Directors to the accounts contained in the accompanying numbers of the Nelson Examiner, written by Dr. Munro. Indeed, these reports are so copious respecting the exploring expedition, and the capabilities of the several localities visited by it, that I cannot usefully enlarge upon them further than to bear testimony to their fidelity, and to recommend them strongly to the perusal of all who are interested in New Zealand.
We returned to Otago on 26th of July. The proposed site of the town pleased me more on a closer inspection, and the next day I had my good opinion of it confirmed by Mr. Commissioner Spain, with whom I again visited it, and who pronounced it an admirable position for the purpose. In this particular I differ with Dr. Monro, who may possibly have not been struck with the advantages I have had to seek for the location of towns. The only objection that I can name is its distance from the shipping town and port, viz., 7 miles; but this is greatly palliated by the excellent water communication of the upper harbour.
Upon returning to Hoputai, we found the Carbon schooner with Messrs. Nicholson and Allom; surveying cadets, with seven working men which I had dispatched from Wellington, before the arrival of the Deborah there had informed me of the necessity of my proceeding to the south.
The Carbon had been thirty days on her voyage, having encountered three southerly gales, which obliged her to seek shelter in Admiralty Bay, Port Gore, and subsequently at Akaroa, where she remained nine days. On leaving this last mentioned place, she fell in with twelve whale ships in sight at one time. The stores from the Carbon were landed at Hoputai, the Leith of the future New Edinburgh. The day after our return we marked out the Government reserve at Taiaroa's head for a pilot and signal station — also the district reserved by the Natives and not included in the purchase. It embraces about four miles frontage on the eastern side of the harbour, the boundary line running across to the sea to the north of Cape Saunders, and comprises, at a rough calculation, ten thousand acres of land of various descriptions, well wooded, but broken by ranges of high hills. It contains the residences and cultivations of all the Natives of the district of Otago, amounting to not more than forty or fifty souls.
The principal men who claim rights in this district are John Tuawaiki, formerly known as Bloody Jack, of which name he is now ashamed, Taiaroa and Karitai. The last of these resides at Otago; the other two shift their abodes between Robuke Island in Foveaux's Strait and Port Levy. They differ much in their habits from the Natives of the northern parts of the Islands; dressing as European sailors or fishermen, possessing and using with great skill and boldness fine sealing and whale boats, and deriving large profits from the collection of stranded whales, the bone of which they sell at the European stations, at which they have running accounts. They are all addicted to the copious use of raw spirits, under which Taiaroa and Karitai are fast sinking. John Tuawaiki alone deserves notice as a shrewd, straight-forward, and highly intelligent chief. He entered into all the details of the sale, described the boundaries exactly by name and designs on paper, and conducted the transactions on the part of the Natives with the tact and readiness of an accomplished man of business. He repeatedly expressed his deter-mination to abstain from spirits for the future, and to take his place amongst the intending settlers as an English gentleman. The population of the Southern Island has decreased with extraordinary rapidity since the establishment of whaling stations on its shores, and the visits of whaling ships to its fine harbours and bays; but previously the slaughters by the northern tribes had materially diminished its numbers. Since the commencement of this century, it is known that 2000 Natives were settled on Taiaroa's head in Otago. Now not more than fifty reside permanently in the whole district. At Molineux, where now are only to be found twelve Natives, there was within the same period a population of 2000; and at Akaroa it is well authenticated that a tribe of 1500 inhabitants, who resided in a pah on an island in the harbour, were exterminated at one time by Rauperaha and his people, with the exception of two individuals who saved themselves by swimming to the main land.
Since the visits of whaling crews and shore parties, the mortality has continued more gradually, and can only be accounted for by the introduction of new habits, and formerly unknown diseases. At one place near Molineux, of 300 people who lived in a small bay, none but two or three escaped death by the measles, and it is asserted by some of the white residents, that the parents when dying, buried their children alive rather than leave them to linger through the disease. The adoption of new kinds of animal food, such as mutton-birds, which are covered with a thick coating of fat, the blubber of whales, unmixed with vegetable diet, and the use of raw spirits, together with that of blankets, varied at times for insufficient European rags, and the venereal disease in all its horrors, are also assigned as past and present causes of the rapid disappearance of the Native race. Since Mr. Tuckett's first visit to Foveaux's Strait three months ago, he has learned the death of many of the men and women who were then apparently in strong health, and the Native chiefs, in parting with their unoccupied lands, gave as their chief motive for so doing, and as an inducement to us to take possession of them, the conviction they labour under, that in a few years they and their tribe will be no more.
The Deed of Conveyance, a copy of which acccompanies this, was prepared by Mr. Symonds and Mr. Clarke. When the Natives were assembled at Hoputai from all parts of the coast, whether in the block or not, to the number of one hundred and fifty, men, women, and children, the boundaries of the land to be purchased were explained to them, and time was allowed them to talk the matter over, according to their custom in such transactions, before receiving the payment.
They encamped on the spot waiting the event.
At Mr. Symonds's request I gave him an undertaking to consent to select for the Company, one hundred and fifty thousand acres out of the block purchased from the Natives.
Although the deed does not contain such full provision as I could have desired for the prevention of the Natives disposing of the land exempted from the sale, to the prejudice of the purchasers from the Company, yet I acceded to it in the full reliance of the Government not taking advantage of these reserves to allow of a competition with the Company. Already some claimants of small patches of land in the portion excepted by the Natives, have applied to be allowed to retain them under a grant from the Crown, although they did not bring forward their claims when Mr. Commissioner Godfrey was at Otago for the purpose of examining such claims, and they received from Mr. Symonds, in accordance with his instructions from Governor Fitzroy, assurances that their demands would be treated with indulgence and consideration. 
Two other points there are of special application to the Governor; the one respecting the future disposal of the residue of the block beyond the 15,000 acres to be selected by the Company; the other as to the special Native Reserves as in the other Settlements, not contemplated in the Company's New Edinburgh scheme, which cannot be made till the surveys are completed and selections made.
It will be for the Directors to determine whether the payment of the £2400. for the New Edinburgh block, and of the other sums in compensation to Natives in other districts in conformity with Mr. Commissioner Spain's direction will entitle the Company to further awards of land by Mr, Pennington.
The purchase money of the block at Otago may appear large; but it must be borne in mind that the block contains about 400,000 acres, with 150,000 only of which the Company will be charged — the remaining portion being available for the depasturing the flocks and herds of the settlers. It is probable that the Natives would have consented to receive something less; but the sum having been fixed upon by Mr. Tuckett before my arrival at Otago, I thought it better not to disturb his arrangement, and that every security against future dissatisfaction of the Natives should be taken by a compliance with their expectations.
On the 31st of July, Mr. Clarke addressed the Natives to the effect “that they had now only to receive the payment to complete the transaction for which they had assembled, that they were about to part with the land described in the deed which he would read to them, with all growing on it or under it — that it would be gone from them and their children for ever — that they must respect the white man's land, and that the white man would not touch that reserved by the Natives.”
 Karitai spoke to the same effect, strongly insisting on each respecting the others' rights in order to avoid disputes.
The Deed was then read in Maori, and the Natives agreed to the boundaries and terms mentioned in it. John Tuawaiki then signed it, and was followed by all the other Chiefs and their sons, and other owners of land.
The distribution of the payment then began. Taiaroa the oldest Chief was presented with 300/. in notes and specie. Karitai the same. They were perfectly satisfied. The remainder of the Otago people received £600. amongst them in notes, gold, and silver. John Tuawaiki arranged many petty disputes in the subdivision of the money, and put down any clamour that arose, but there seemed little necessity for his interference. The Natives of the south are well acquainted with dealings of various kinds. John afterwards received £200. for distribution among the Taieri natives, and £100 for those of Molineux — his share is to be the largest as the principal owner of that extensive district, and he undertook to satisfy all claimants. He behaved throughout the business with great temper and want of selfishness. The affair was concluded during the forenoon without any disagreeable occurrence, and I have never seen a more satisfactory termination of any New Zealand bargain. I have troubled you with the above details, less on account of any novelty they may possess, than to show that the conduct of the late negotiation by the Police Magistrate and the Sub-Protector of Aborigines differs but little from that pursued by myself in purchases of land for the Company, and as an answer to objections to the manner in which I conducted those transactions.
When the payment was complete, and possession of the place had been given by the Chiefs, which was done by their taking off the taboo (that had existed at Hoputai for some years in consequence of the body of a Chief, who had been slain by another in a quarrel respecting some boats, being interred there) and hoisting the Union Jack, the Natives dispersed in their boats for their respective residences. The custom of tabooing is nearly extinct, where there has been much intercourse between the white people and the Natives. John Tuawaiki easily disposed of the matter in question, saying in answer to my enquiry how the taboo would be removed, “Why we will take up the bones and bury them at our place, your people may burn the house, and my people shall burn the boats.”
We returned on board the schooner, and got under weigh as soon as the meeting dispersed, but by some blundering ran on the tail of a sand spit in the harbour, where we remained all night and all the next day. Karitai came on board to say he had only received £280 instead of £300. As we knew this to be incorrect, we told him only that his people had made a mistake. Upon getting ashore he found that he had miscounted his share, and that it was all right. His head man was suspected of having purloined £20, and replaced them when the deficiency was discovered. John Tuawaiki reproached Karitai with having told us lies, upon which he scratched John's face, who beat him. Karitai's son going behind him, flourished a tomahawk over Tuawaiki's head, which was wrested from him by Mr. Park. Tuawaiki merely said, “If your boy had struck me I would have taken all your money from you. As it is, I shall remember it.”
We left Otago on the 2nd of August with a fair wind and hauled in towards Waikawaite, where resides Mr. John Jones, late of Sydney. It is a small district and has no harbour, but the land is good, with a considerable run for sheep and cattle, and a tolerable roadstead for vessels. At Waikawaite, Moeraki, and Otago there are more than 100 Europeans. Most of the men have Native women living with them, and the half-caste children number thirty-five. This rather promiscuous cohabitation may be another reason for the diminution of the Native race all along this coast to the south.
At Waikawaite have been found large quantities of the bones of the Moa buried in the sand. I obtained a tarsal bone which I shall send to Mr. Gowen by the first opportunity, and arranged for the collection of more.
There are two whale fisheries at Waikawaite. To the south of Otago there are four. In the neighbourhood of Banks' Peninsula three, and two at Kaikora—make nine on the eastern coast of this island.
The course from Otago to Banks Peninsula is N.E. by N. by compass. The current runs to the north at two miles an hour. The Southern Alps covered with snow to their base, as they appeared to us at the distance we were from them, run at between twenty and thirty miles from the shore at the back of the ninety miles beach. We fell in with three whaling ships off the Peninsula. On the 7th of August, finding the wind adverse and increasing, we bore up for Pigeon Bay, which lies a few miles to the eastward of the mouth of Port Cooper. Pigeon Bay is a good harbour of refuge, being extremely easy of access, and already is frequented by vessels on the voyage to the south meeting a foul wind. In this light it may be considered a most useful port in connection with Port Nicholson and Otago. Being quite open and straight, a heavy swell rolls into it with a northerly wind. The same is the case with Ports Levi and Cooper. There is a narrow wooded valley, swarming with pigeons, from whence the bay has been named, in the direction of Akaroa, but there is no other available land in the bay which is separated from Port Levi by bare precipitous mountains.
The wind continuing contrary we walked over to Akaroa. It occupies three hours to walk from one harbour to the other. They are separated by a wooded range of about 1500 feet high. On descending towards Akaroa, an opening in the wood made by the French, gives a fine view of the harbour and Settlement. The French Corvette “Le Rhin” was lying at anchor, abreast of the site of the town, to reach which we had a walk of three hours round numerous bays, each containing a considerable portion of fine land covered with the best sorts of timber of very large growth. I have nowhere seen finer specimens of totara and red and white pine. One of the last, seventy feet in length, has been used as a main-yard to the Corvette and is found to answer perfectly.
A road, made under the directions of Captain Lavaud and Captain Bérard, forms an excellent communication round the harbour. A great deal of labour has been bestowed on it, and considerable judgment and taste are displayed in its execution, and in the care with which the fine trees have been preserved along its sides. On our way to the town we called on Mr. Beligny, the Agent of the Nanto-Bordelaise Company, who resides in a beautiful bay about two miles and a half from the anchorage. He has a very comfortable establishment and an extensive garden well stocked with fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables. A few German families are located near him; they have made themselves independent by their industry and frugality.
The site of the town encircles three small bays, and consists of about 300 acres. The dwellings of the French settlers are few and scattered. The residence of the English Magistrate, Mr. Robinson, the Company's store, and other buildings, with some houses of entertainment both French and English, fill up the frontage to the anchorage. We were most cordially welcomed by Mr. Robinson, who during four years has fulfilled the duties of his office in a most delicate and difficult position, to the entire satisfaction of his Government, and in perfect amity with the French authorities and settlers. A Sub-Collector of Customs has also been sent there lately from Auckland — his duties appear to be nominal, for he has no power to enforce the custom's regulations on board the numerous French and American whale ships which frequent the harbour to refresh after the fishing season. If something like order is maintained, it is owing to the good understanding existing between Mr. Robinson and the French Commandant, who is ready at all times to afford assistance to the former, for the preservation of the peace and support of the British authority, which Mr. Robinson admits he could not maintain without such support.
Sixty French, twenty German, forty British settlers, and ninety-seven Aborigines compose the resident population of Akaroa. There are forty or fifty acres of land in cultivation by the French and Germans, who with its produce, and that of numerous cows and poultry (a large portion of which they barter on board the ships visiting the harbour), maintain themselves in comfort.
I was much gratified at having the opportunity of renewing an acquaintance with Captain Bérard formed during his visit to Wellington last year in the Corvette. I cannot but bespeak the regard of the Directors, and of every friend of New Zealand for this enlightened advocate and supporter of its interests. His efforts to develop its resources, and to place its advantages in a true light, are unceasing, and are directed to every section of the islands, and to every object worthy of attention in each of them. I had to thank him for the handsome letter that he sent me by the pilot after his departure from Wellington, in which he gave me the results of his observations there; for a plan for improving the anchorage of Wairarapa and other open bays; and for many useful suggestions and remarks contained in his letters to me. He has added to these obligations by giving me copies of charts of Otago, and by advice as to precautions for rendering that harbour accessible and safe. Captain Bérard was an officer of La Coquille during the scientific voyage made in that ship by Dumont d'Urville in the year 1824, when he visited the Bay of Islands and other parts of New Zealand in which he has never ceased to feel an interest. He commanded the finest frigate in the French navy, “L'Uranie,” before he was especially selected for the mission which he now fills.
I was much struck with the varied character of his employments. His time is admirably divided, and his officers render him their services as much from personal regard as a sense of duty.
He has caused roads to be constructed around the harbour by detachments of the crew of the Corvette, whom he rewards by allowing them powder and shot, and time, to shoot the pigeons that abound in the woods. They have sometimes brought on board four hundred in a day.
Medical care is given to all the settlers, without distinction, gratuitously by the Surgeon of the Corvette, and assistance is afforded to vessels visiting the port in any way that can be useful. Captain Bérard's scientific labours also occupy a stated portion of his time. Observations on the weather, experiments in flax-dressing and on the native woods, with reference to ship-building, cask-making, and furniture, and the cultivation of six acres of garden are also objects of interest to the Commandant. He is likewise engaged in directing the building of a capacious church, and the preparation of the skeleton of a whale and a seal for the museum of natural history at Paris.
His attention and hospitality are extended to visitors of all nations; and his anomalous position, which virtually places the whole power of the Government of the Settlement in his hands, leads to the most extraordinary demands on him. On other occasions he is subject to the jealousies of some of our countrymen. But M. Bérard's life having been devoted to science and the good of the human race, he is a thorough cosmopolite, and maintains by his impartiality the good-will of all. He is conversant with the history of New Zealand affairs, and reads all the journals published here and in Europe that notice them. I hope he will be induced at a future period to give the results of his experience to the world. On the whole, considering the paternal protection afforded by their Government to “the small number of French subjects” settled in this distant corner of the world, the liberal instructions upon which M. Bérard acts, and the enlarged views he entertains of the objects of his mission, our visit to Akaroa impressed our party with sincere respect for his great nation, and her most worthy representative.
It is a matter of great regret that the negotiations between the French and English Cabinets delayed the settlement of the French claims to land in Banks' Peninsula. It is now, however, understood that the Nanto-Bordelaise Company is entitled to a certain portion of territory by the award of Mr. Commissioner Godfrey; but it is a subject of just complaint that the terms of their proprietorship of land having been adjusted by the two Governments in Europe, the local Government of New Zealand has not determined the limits of their allowed claim, and given them a title to the land which would enable them to extend their operations. Mr. Beligny, the Company's Agent, could, if the title and boundaries of their claim were assured, dispose of land to actual settlers, and induce a considerable immigration to the place from France and Germany; but his repeated applications are unattended with any results, further than an intimation that they have been once more referred to the public offices of London or Paris.
I must hasten to the conclusion of this summary of my journal whilst in the south.
We sailed from Pigeon Bay on the 14th of August, with, the first fair wind that had blown during ten days. The course from that port to Kaikora is N. by E., from whence it is N. E. to Cape Campbell. Running along shore, we saw the fires of the tryworks during the night at Kaikora, indicating the successful operations at the whale stations there.
We were abreast of Cloudy Bay on the morning of the 15th, and without touching at Port Nicholson came on here where the schooner anchored on the 16th.
Separate dispatches will acquaint the Directors with the proceedings of the Commissioner's Court, in reference to the Nelson lands, and of the steps I have adopted in consequence of the intelligence I have received here of the state of the Company's affairs on the 18th of April last.
                                                                                  I have the honour, &c.

                                                                                                        W. wakefield. 

The Secretary of the New Zealand Company.

*      *      *      *      *      *

(Enclosure in No. 36.)

translation of deed of sale.

Know all men by this Document, We, the Chiefs and Men of the Ngaitahu Tribe in New Zealand, whose names are undersigned, consent on this thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord 1844, to give up, sell, and abandon altogether to William Wakefield, Principal Agent of the  New   Zealand Company of London, on behalf of the Directors of the said Company, all our claims and title to the lands comprised within the undermentioned boundaries;  the names of the said lands are Otakou, Kaikarae, Taieri, Mataau, and Te Karoro; these are the boundaries, the northern boundary line commences at Purehurehu, runs along the sea shore, crossing the entrance of Otakou (Harbour), to Otupa, thence along the coast to Poatiri; the eastern boundary is the ocean from Poatiri to Tokata; thence the southern boundary runs along the summit of Taukohu to Pohuaroa; it then runs along the summit of the Kaihiku Range, and crosses the Mataau River, thence along the summit of the Maunga Atua Range to Wakaii, along the summit of Wakari to Mihiwaka and Otuwararoa, then descends to Purehurehu on the coast. We also give up all the Islands, Kamautaurua, Rakiriri, Okaiha, Moturata, Paparoa, Matoketoke, Hakinikini and Aonui; excepting the following places, which we have reserved for ourselves and our children, that is to say, a certain portion of land on the eastern side of Otakou, called Ornate, the boundary line commences at Moepuku, crosses over to Poatiri, thence along the coast to Waiwakaheke, then crosses to Pukekura, and runs along the side of the harbour to Moepuku: Also, a certain portion of land at Pukekura, the boundaries of which are marked by posts, containing  one acre more or less; also, a portion of land at Taieri, the boundary of which commences at Onurnia, and runs across in a straight line to Maitapapa, the Taieri River forms the other boundary; also, a portion of land at the Karoro, bounded on the south by the Karoro River, on the east by the ocean; the northern boundary includes the Kainga of that place, and extends inland about one mile: which said Reserved Places we agree neither to sell or let to any party whatsoever, without the sanction of His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. We have received as payment for the above first mentioned lands the sum of two thousand four hundred pounds in money, on this day.

John Tubawaiki,	                                        Kahuti,
Raretai,	                                        Kurukuru,
Tairoa,	                                        Mokonaoko,
Pokene,	                                        Te Ao,
Koroko,	                                             Koroko Karetai,
Kaikoarare,	                                        Tutewaiao,
Takamaitu,	                                        Papakawa,
Te Raki,	                                        Te Kaki,
John Tuhawaiki on behalf	                                        Rakiwakana,
of Topi,	                                        Te Raki, (the second)
Kihau,	                                         Potiki,
Solomon Pohio,	                                         Pohata,
Pohau,	                                         Taiaroa for Pohiki

In the presence of these Witnesses:
John Jermyn Symonds, P. M
Frederick Tuckett.
George Clarke, junior, Protector of Aborigines. 
David Scott.

                                     A true translation of the original Deed.
                                                                                          george clarke, junior,
                                                                                          Protector of Aborigines.

I, William Wakefield, the Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company, do undertake to select one hundred and fifty thousand acres, to which the Crown's right of pre-emption has been waived in favour of the said Company, from the block of land specified in the Deed to which this is annexed, as soon as such land shall have been surveyed, leaving the unappropriated residue to be dealt with in such manner as His Excellency the Governor shall deem fit.

The Tuckett Collection, Hocken Library, Dunedin. N. Z.

FTS-OLR28.           Transcript of Letter dated 15th December 1844 from 
Frederick Tuckett to Col. William Wakefield

To Col. Wm. Wakefield.                                     Port of New Edinburgh, December 15th 1844.

Mr Davison arrived here on the 23rd of November by whom I received your letter of the 5th ult. The Susannah Ann remained here nearly a week ago and then by direction of Mr Jones sailed for the Bluff to await the arrival of the Scotia, and thence to return to Port Nicholson. On the 1st of this month the Scotia followed with Mr Jones on his way to Sidney. Here Mr Jones promised that the Susannah Ann should call here for me on her return on condition of my guaranteeing £10.0.0. Ten Pounds, with the liberty to take a third? passenger, he said that I might expect her with the first fair wind after the arrival of the Scotia at the Bluff. Under these circumstances, altho tired of waiting in suspense, I do not like to enter into any other engagement, for which the arrival of the Eliza yesterday now affords an opportunity.
I very much regret that you did not release me from my engagement here by providing me, according to my request, with an opportunity of removing from here to Nelson where I entered on my present office - As soon as an opportunity presents I shall avail myself of it and place Mr Davison in possession of all the Property of the New Zealand Comp’y here under my charge - - - - - My anxiety to return has been not a little increased by receiving, on Mr Davison’s arrival, a letter from the Manager of the London and Nelson, Australian Bank requiring me to pay the sum of £3425.4. the amount of Bills drawn by you on the N. Z. Comp’y and indorsed by me as acting resident Agent at Nelson. Mr MacDonald’s letter to me is dated August 28th.
I feel very confident that the requisition made upon me is a mere form, still without an opportunity of obtaining advice and unable to obtain the letters which for the past six months may have reached Nelson from my friends in England, I feel much hurt at being threatened with such a liability without the means even of enquiring much less of action.
Hoping to arrive at Wellington before this letter by a better vessel.

                                                                                                                        Frederick Tuckett.

Archives New Zealand NZC110/2.

Gerald Franklin & The Frenchay Tuckett Society, June 2007. Rev. July 2009.