followed Messrs Mackay and Rochfort’s tracks, but he with his assistant, the late Mr James Burnett, land surveyor, contributed materially to our knowledge of the geological formation of the West Coast districts. Dr Haast has since resided at Christchurch, where he has rendered good service to the cause of science. He recently received a medal from the Royal Geological Society, London, in recognition of his Alpine explorations.
Messrs Waite and Martin were the first settlers at Westport in 1860; and immediately thereafter the Buller goldfields became an established fact. The Grey district was visited in 1863 by R. A. Sherrin, who found gold there, and it was occupied by miners shortly afterwards.
Messrs Lee, Dobson, Harper, Walker, and Hewitt of Canterbury, paid visits to the West Coast at various times between 1858 and 1863, but their explorations were of small extent, and not to be compared with the services rendered by Brunner, Heaphy, Mackay, and Rochfort.
Note.—Having had an opportunity of perusing the Deed of Purchase from the Natives of the 7,500,000 acres of land on the West Coast for the sum of £300, referred to in the foregoing chapter, I append a copy of the original document, which reads as follows: —
This Deed written on this 21st day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1860, is a full and final sale conveyance and surrender by us the Chiefs and people of the Tribe Ngaitahu, whose names are hereunto subscribed: And witnesseth that on behalf of ourselves, our relatives and descendants we have, by signing this Deed under the shining sun of this day, parted with and for ever transferred unto Victoria Queen of England, Her Heirs, the Kings and Queens who may succeed Her and Their Assigns for ever in consideration of the sum of three hundred pounds (£300) to us paid by James Mackay, junr. on belalf of the Queen Victoria (and we hereby acknowledge the receipt of the said moneys) all that piece of our Land situate in the Provinces of Nelson, Canterbury and Otago, and named Poutini, Arahaura, the boundaries whereof are set forth at the foot of this Deed and a plan of which Land is annexed thereto, with its trees, minerals, waters, rivers, lakes, streams and interests whatsoever thereon. To hold to Queen Victoria Her Heirs and Assigns as a lasting possession absolutely for ever and ever. And in testimony of our consent to all the conditions of this Deed we have hereunto subscribed our names and marks. And in testimony of the consent of the Queen of England on her part to all the conditions of this Deed the name of James Mackay, junr., Commissioner, is hereunto subscribed. These are the boundaries of the land commencing at the seaside at Piopiotai (Milford Haven), thence proceeding inland to the snowy mountains of Taumaro, thence to the mountains, Tioripatea, Haorangi (Mount Cook), Terao-o-Tama, thence to the saddle of the source of the river Teremakau, thence to Mount Wakarewa, thence following the range of mountains to the Lake Roteroa, thence to the source of the rivers Karamea and Wakapoai, thence by a straight line drawn in a southerly direction. The sea coast is the boundary of Piopiotai (Milford Haven) where the boundaries meet.
There are certain lands within this block reserved from sale, these are described in schedule A and B attached to this Deed.
(Signed) James Mackay, Assistant Native Secretary.
Then follow these signatures, the Maori names in each case signed with a mark, thus + Kinihi, Kerei, Kawiri Mokohuruhuru, Pako, Wiremu Parata, Puaha-te-Rangi, Taraphi-te-Kaukihi, Mere-te-Aowangi, Werita Tainui, Hakiaha Taona, Purua, Makarini Tohi, Arapata Horau, Rewai Kaihi. Witnesses to the payment and signatures—James Mackay, junr., Assistant Native Secretary, acting for Land Purchase Commissioner; Samuel M. Mackley, settler, Nelson; James Burnett, surveyor, Nelson; Tamati Pirimona, Collingwood; Hori-te-Kirama, Collingwood.
Received this 21st day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty, the sum of £300 sterling, being the £300 consideration money expressed in the above written Deed to be paid by James Mackay, junr., on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen to us.
Witnesses—James Mackay, junr., Assistant Native Secretary for Land Purchase Commissioner; Samuel M. Mackley, settler, Nelson; James Burnett, surveyor, Nelson; Tamati Pirimona, Native Chief, Collingwood; Hori-te-Kirama, Native Chief, Parapara, Collingwood,; Tarapuhi, Werita Tainui, Hakiaha Taona, Makirini Tohi, Arapata Horau, Kiwai, Kaihi, Kinihi-te-kau, Kerei, Kawiri Mokohuruhuru, Puaha-te-Rangi.
