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dressing His Excellency, said that the Native speeches were not half interpreted by Mr. Williams, neither were His Excellency’s remarks fully interpreted to the Natives; that a Mr. Johnson[1] was present who could interpret well, &c.
The Governor: “Then, pray, Mr. Johnson, do me this great favour and come forward and interpret for me. I am anxious that the Natives should know what I say, and also that I should know what they say. Mr. Johnson, do you fully understand the Native language?”
Johnson, (coming forward): “Why, I can’t say I do, but I know how to speak to them, and know also what they say when they speak to me; and”———
The Governor: “Then pray tell me what has not been interpreted.”
Johnson: “No, Sir, I beg to be excused. The gentlemen of the mission ought to be able to do it, and can do it very well; only let Mr. Williams speak out loud so that we may hear—we here in the back part of the tent; and let all that the Natives say be interpreted to the Governor. They say a great deal about land and missionaries which Mr. Willams does not translate to you, Sir,” &c.[2]
The Rev. Henry Williams, having obtained permission of His Excellency, addressed the whites in English, and said, “A great deal has been said about the missionaries holding land, and their farming, and what not; but the Commissioners who are about to sit will examine into the lands held by the missionaries, and their titles thereto, as strictly as into any other. I wish for this to be done, and I have already applied to His Excellency for the lands in the possession of the missionaries to be first brought before the Commissioners. People should recollect that were it not for the missionaries they would not be here this day, nor be in possession of a foot of land in New Zea-
