✨ Report on Stewart Island
would answer as selection maps under the present system of free selection, pending the ordinary survey of the Island.
I cannot close this report without calling the attention of the Government to the utter state of lawlessness which prevails on the Island. Few in number as are the inhabitants, a system of plunder has been established, not merely on any goods which may be landed from wrecked vessels, and which seem to be considered as a lawful prize, but on one another. No one can leave his house unprotected for two or three days without being robbed. I heard of an instance where a three hours’ absence sufficed. A single constable would have the immediate effect of putting a stop to the practice I have endeavoured to expose. His presence would evidence that the attention of the Government had been directed to the malpractices which had been carried on, and prove its determination to prevent their continuance. Port William
would be the best place at which to station him, as that port is most frequented by vessels in distress, the cargoes of which have to be landed for safety, though at present such a proceeding would ensure their being pilfered. The system of plunder has been carried on in so barefaced a manner, with such impunity, and for such a length of time that one is almost tempted to the conclusion that the inhabitants from immaturity have been led to believe that to plunder is the normal condition of man, and that
“Those shall take who have the power,
And those shall keep who can,”
is the principle enunciated by the local Government to which the few honest settlers on the Island would naturally look for protection.
WALTER H. PEARSON,
Commissioner of Crown Lands.
Crown Lands Office,
Invercargill, Southland, Dec. 26, 1866.
Printed by the Authority of the Provincial Government of Southland, by REYNOLDS AND CO., Invercargill, New Zealand, Printers to the said Provincial Government, for the time being.
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Southland Provincial Gazette 1867, No 1
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Report on Stewart Island
(continued from previous page)
🗺️ Lands, Settlement & Survey26 December 1866
Stewart Island, Land Quality, Timber, Reserves, Settlement, Lawlessness, Plunder, Government Attention
- WALTER H. PEARSON, Commissioner of Crown Lands