[63]([1], [2]) Vid. ch. [v.]
[64]Latterly a practice has been adopted of handing over the mana of their land to Matutaera, the Maori king, or to some influential chief in whom they have trust, the object being to protect it from clandestine sales, which have become frequent through the action of speculators in land. The agents who act for men of capital who enter into such speculations are always ready to offer an advance of money as a deposit on land, and when a Maori, especially a careless young man, visits our towns he is too often unable to resist the temptation of gold to be had for the mere signature of his name. When, however, such a transaction becomes known to the tribe it gives rise to much heart burning and trouble; but the thin end of the wedge being thus introduced ere long others follow the example, till at length a sort of forced consent is obtained to pass the land, to use the common phrase, through the Government Land Court. It is therefore not to be wondered at that this Court is not in good repute among them, more especially since they have discovered that a large share of the purchase money is swallowed up by costs for survey, costs of the Court, and lawyers’ fees.
[65]This proverb was also applied in case of a war as a sufficient reason for not sparing such relation.
[66]Traditions and Superstitions of the New Zealanders. Edit. 2, p. 271.
[67]Paora Te Ahuru.
[68]Hei whakahe mo Wiremu Kingi” was the expression used.

Transcription note

The following typographical errors (or presumed such) have been corrected:

The [Errata] of the book has been transcribed faithfully, and its corrections have been carried into the text. However, on p. [pg 21]_, the word to be corrected is apparently harekeke and not [Herekeke]. The entry is even misplaced in the list, which is sorted in order of appearance.