Object #1016328 from MS-Papers-0032-0267
4 pages written 16 May 1873 by Francis Dart Fenton to Sir Donald McLean
From: Inward letters - F D Fenton, Reference Number MS-Papers-0032-0267 (60 digitised items). 57 letters written from Whaingaroa, 1857; Auckland, 1862-1875 and undated. Includes one letter from Fenton to Fox, 1872.
A transcription/translation of this document (by ATL) appears below.
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English (ATL)
May 16 1873
Dear Maclean,
I now send you the two Hawkes Bay deeds -Everything is done that can be done. The word "previously" introduced into the limitation of the Grant is a nuisance.
That Hawkes Bay Commission has not produced all the mischief it will produce. I can understand why, being accused you could not well refuse it, but I hope you will not let it sit again. It is very dangerous and I am prepared to do or say any thing against the policy of such inquiries.
I cannot yet understand the Waikato business Pukekura block passed many years ago and is inalienable except by short lease. I never heard before even the names of any of the murderers, and the singular mixture of tribes amongst them makes me doubt whether title to any particular piece of land was concerned; but this mixture may be explained perhaps by marriages - but we dont know enough for that. I very much fear that the affair was a protest against our advance - for the aukati appears recently to have broken down. At any rate colonization was advancing at (to the Kingites) an alarming rate and something must in their judgment be done. And so it will be to the end of the chapter. It never was otherwise and never will be when civilized and barbarian races meet. It is lunacy to suppose that the Garden of Eden business can be imported here. Human nature is much the same anywhere and settlers on frontiers will have to undergo frontier risks as they always have had. The red Indians only
number ten times as many as the Maoris, yet they occupy the whole U. States Army - after 3 centuries of contact.
Dr. Shortland seems in great glee about thinking at last that all his predictions against the N.L.C. are verified. He has done much mischief, and would do more if if he had the power. Cantat vacuus viator inter latrones. A man who has no responsibility can talk confidently. I am convinced that Martin and he are the true origin of the Hawkes Bay bother.
I hope you will find the deeds all right.
Yours truly,
F.D. Fenton
Part of:
Inward letters - F D Fenton, Reference Number MS-Papers-0032-0267 (60 digitised items)
Series 1 Inward letters (English), Reference Number Series 1 Inward letters (English) (14501 digitised items)
McLean Papers, Reference Number MS-Group-1551 (30238 digitised items)
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