73

In addition to this they have several head of cattle,
and their pigs, which are numerous, are also allowed to run at large within the boundaries. The
Pa is in a state of decay, and very few of the huts
are in a habitable state. Originally the Population
of Ohariu was numerous, and was the principal
landing place for all canoes visiting Port Nicholson
from Wanganui, Otaki, Queen Charlotte’s Sound,
Nelson, and the other Settlements in the Straits.
It is still resorted to on these occasions. The in-
habitants live principally by fishing. They cultivate little, but frequently are in the employ of Europeans at daily wages. For so small a place, and
from the accounts given by the Natives themselves,
the mortality for the last 8 or 10 years has been
great. The Native Teacher informed me that he
had buried above 100 persons within 10 years, and
principally adults. The present inhabitants are
principally “Ngatitamas,” who originally came
from Poutama, North of Taranaki; some are
Whanganuis and Ngatiawas, and have all intermarried. Several persons joined William King’s
party, and some few others are likely soon to follow. The North West wind is severely felt with a
great sand drift. The best line of road from Wel-
lington to Ohariu seems to be through the “Karore
and Makera” district, a considerable portion of
which has already been completed. The Natives on
the whole appear to be healthy, but a scarcity of
children. Mr. Rhodes has a cattle station here.
Total Native Population, 119.

2nd Settlement.—“Ohaua.”

“Ohaua” is situated on the coast, south of
Ohariu, distant about 6 miles, over a rocky, dangerous road. The village is in a sheltered little
valley, with a N. E. aspect. The greater part of it
is secured to the Natives as a reserve, but nearly
deserted, there being only 5 individuals in the Pa,
all the others having joined William King. The
Pa and many of the huts are in a state of decay,
and in a few months will be probably quite deserted. There is no cultivation; the soil is poor,
and the country hilly and badly timbered. Mr.
Jenkins of Wellington, has a cattle station adjoining.
Total Native Population, 5.

3rd Settlement.—“Oterango.”

“Oterango,” distant from “Ohaua” about five
miles, through bush, is situated in a small barren
valley on the coast exposed to the south-east. The
population is small, and very badly off: The Pa is
in a wretched state, and the owners of many of the
houses having returned to Taranaki with William
King, are uninhabited and falling to pieces. This
also is a Reserve, but the cultivations are insignificant,
and in bad order: the natives rear within the
boundaries a considerable number of pigs, and are
occasionally employed in collecting the Mutton
Shell for sale. Mr. Drummond has a cattle station
here. Total population, 19.

4th Settlement.—“Waiariki.”

“Waiariki” is situated on the coast, distant from
Wellington about 15 miles in a south-easterly
direction, is on a Reserve made for the Natives by
Government. In the small valley immediately in
the rear of the Pa are the Plantations belonging to
the Waiariki Natives, and though limited, are in unusually good order; the maize and kumara plants
promise well, and upon the whole the Natives of
this village are much better off than those of the
preceding ones. The Pa and huts are also in
tolerably good repair. This season they have collected considerable quantity of the Mutton Shell for
exportation, which they convey to Wellington in
large sealing boats and war canoes. They are a
subdivision of the Ngatiawas, and I think are likely

to remain,—two or three only having returned recently
to Taranaki. Mr. Rhodes has a cattle
station adjoining. Total Native population—44.

His Excellency will observe that at each of these
settlements there is a cattle station; if not within the
boundaries of the Native Reserve, on a section immediately adjoining, so that it is a matter of difficulty with the natives to keep the cattle within their
proper bounds. They are anxious that there should
be some definite arrangement made with the Proprietors of stock in these localities, so as either to
secure the use of the Reserves for their own cattle,
or to prevent any one or more of the Chiefs leasing
and appropriating to private purposes the rents of
land which they have been told is public property.
To prevent this latter proceeding, individuals of the
Tribe are now beginning to receive cattle at so much
per head, to graze on the particular lands they
claim; these are properly speaking their old cultivations, and are generally of a very limited extent. If
this system is attempted to be carried out to any extent,
it must in the end be attended with great confusion and trouble to both
Europeans and Natives.

5th Settlement.—“Te Aro.”

“Te Aro” is situated within the Town of Wel-
lington, the Pa being equally divided between two
sub-divisions of the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki Natives,
who are also connected with the Ngatiawas.
Every encouragement has been given to the resident
Natives to improve their dwellings, &c., and to this
end a village has been laid out by one of the Government Surveyors, so as to ensure regularity in
the construction of the houses and paths, but as it
seems that Te Aro has always been, and is now
held as a temporary residence for visitors from the
interior, Taranaki, and the country North of Whanganui,
there is little hope of so desirable a change
taking place. At present the huts, with scarcely an
exception, are in a state of dilapidation, and the
general state of the Natives, far from being healthy.
The Pa is a reserve under Captain Fitzroy’s arrangement,
and they hold also a considerable portion
of land on the hills adjoining the Town, but
their cultivations are principally on the Porirua
Road, which also is a reserve. The Flax is again
engaging their attention, and a small quantity has
already been prepared for exportation. Total Native
Population, 186.

6th Settlement.—“Kumutoto.”

Only one clay hut now remains of the old Kumu-
toto Settlement, within the Town of Wellington.
The principal Chief, E Tako, has substituted a good
weatherboarded house, which is now occupied by
the Police, and is rented by the Government for the
sum of £30 per annum. In consequence of this,
E Tako with the other members of his Tribe are
removing to Ngauranga which he intends making
his permanent abode. Kumutoto is a reserve, and
to this is added a considerable portion of land on
the hills immediately adjoining. This he is anxious
to exchange for land on the Hutt, where the
whole of his cultivations now are. To effect this
exchange he is desirous to have the assistance of
the Government, and to have it done with their
consent, and under their direction. I need scarcely
add that he is one of the few whose general conduct
shows that he is anxious to improve, and from
his general intelligence, is thought a good deal of
among his own countrymen. Total Native Population, 14.

7th Settlement.—“Pipitea.”

“Pipitea” within the Town of Wellington, is
a reserve, with a fair share of plantation ground immediately
in the rear of the Pa, which is also a