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Pages 1-20 of 53

Pages 1-20 of 53

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Pages 1-20 of 53

Pages 1-20 of 53

English
CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL of SIR DONALD MCLEAN. K. C. M.G. in the following terms:- First, - With regard to your religious differences, - I do not interfere; nor do I recommend any changes that are as uncertain as the winds of heaven. Amongst you, retain your religious principles, and abide by your clergyman. Mr. Reimensneider is good. It is not desirous you should readily change your doctrines, without consulting your consciences. In worldly affairs, let us be one, my friends; and abide in peace and goodwill towards each other. Whatever happens elsewhere, we shall continue as one, and live as one. After giving the news of the country, they retired; and I am greatly anxious to do so, and prepare, God willing, for my homeward journey by 5 in the morning. Left Warea at 5 a.m. Beautiful travelling. An overcast day is so well suited for a coasting journey. Bread and tea for breakfast. Called at the inhabited Pahs on my return. Had a nice feast of fish at Hoani's, of Totara. Tea and biscuit at Tapuwai; and dinner at half past 3 at my own house, where I found all quiet. After accomplishing a 26 mile journey, not at all fatigued, though rather pained in the breast. Drank tea at the parsonage, and found Basil all right there. Coporal of Police handed me a nice report of our Waitara journey, and his proceedings during my absence. How sweet to enjoy the pleasures of home, even after two days absence. I am glad to have effected a good introduction for the Police Force along the Coast; to whom I find the natives becoming gradually reconciled and well-disposed. My native boy, Hoani, is the sweetest.tempered and best lad I have had in the country, - too good, I fear, to continue so, or at least, to live long with me. Generally at the best we expect reverses. The same with him. His good qualities may be the greater source of regret when he leaves. Commencement of Journal on Private Expedition to the Southward. Started from my house about half past 5 in the morning; and got out of town with the men and natives I had with me, by half past 7. The horse startled, and flew up a little at first; but became as quiet as possible by the time I got to Mr. Turton's; where I had some coffed and eggs and ham with bread and butter, sliced. I suppose a Yorkshire practice to have it so for breakfast. Basil overtook me here; and we started together; he, on horseback to Moturoa, where we met Mr. Webster, who remained at my house to see the natives, and Basil under way, as I was anxious to come off early as possible, to prevent queries or interruptions from an inquisitive few, that might not receive replies to their enquiries, agreeable to either party. This, however, was all provided, and beyond speculative surprise, there is nothing known as to my movements or intentions. I confess I am a little astonished at Mr. Webster's strange advice to me to take the key of the office with me; which I have, hitherto, when my papers were locked, left with William; and as he was coming after me I told him to lock it, and bring me the key, which he said he would do. Instead of which, he kept it at his own house, for which or what reason I cannot forsee; and his doing so is a libert I would not allow even a brother to take with me. But I trust his motives were not what my imperfect knowledge of human nature would lead me to suspect, or attribute to a person to whom I give the credit, since our acquaintance commenced of possessing a considerable deal of honourable feeling. Can it be possible that we are retrograding in our moral principles in New Plymouth, as to foolishly leave ourselves open to suspicion; for the mere satisfaction of a thirsty curiosity that leads parties to pry into matters with which they have no business. That to some extent this feeling prevails, is certain; and poor Webster sadly participates in it. Hence his negligence and inattention to his duties, that are imperative on mankind, in their walks of life, and doubly so on those who are obliged to support a family. If curiosity has been poor Webster's motive in keeping the key, it may be a good lesson for him to find that he was not allowed time to satisfy it; as Private Law was returned by me from Tapuwai, where I lay to for and hour or two, with a letter to Webster, for which he could not suppose that I mistrusted him altogether; as Law was to go to my office, and bring my Commission as Inspector of Police from thence, and the key back to me, allowing William to get what he wished, that may have been lying about in the room in the meantime. It is now 9, but Law has not got back. What a lovely spot Hauranga is! and how imperfectly do some of our winds estimate the grand and unlimited beauties of nature, which surround us on every side. Just as I am writing, instead of the eye being attracted with them, the ear is delightfully receiving its shares of pleasures from the murmuring stream as it glides its waters to the vast main. How indescribable are the feelings that such objects arise in the hearts of men, and what an advantageous purpose he might turn these murmurings to, did he but consider that he was exhausting and passing towards his end, with as great precision and regularity, by the course of nature, as that stream is now doing; and what we might thereby also learn to make good use of the time left us, and pray to be under the great Creator of all the various wonderful objects that attract either eye, ear or sense. A poor black American, of the name of Davies, met me at a little settlement, and complained that the natives, after inducing him to come and settle there, on his wife's land, had, after he had got his place cleared and cropped, threatened to dispossess him; and he requested I should mention his to the natives and prevent them attempting such avaricious and deceiving conduct. Law arrived at half past 6 in the morning, having seen Mr. Webster. Got the key, the papers he was sent for, and performed his trip to the town and back expeditiously. I am hopeful rather, that the unfavourable, and I may add, uncharitable feelings towards Mr. Webster, have been unfounded. He sends me a kind letter, and states the key would have been taken care of in his possession; though I am very glad it happened to be in my own. Reached Wareatea at half past 10. Plenty of fresh fish. Very hot and scorching. Rest here for a few hours to write letters back, and for Auckland. Mr. Reimensneider's cottage and garden have a comfortable appearance for a newly erected station; and he is a kind and hospitable host. Writing instructions to Sergeant Halse, and letters to New Plymouth and Auckland. Went to morning Service with Mr. Reimensneider. Spent a quiet day reading. Bathed in the river, and had an interesting evening discussion on human nature. Started from Totara at half past 8, and met the natives of Wareata as I came on. They pressed me to remain for food, but I was desirous of getting to Warea to see Mr. Reimensieder. Met my Sergeant, and Baines, who waited by my orders till I arrived. They appeared quite happy, and were contentedly living at a carpenter's house on the beach, who came to build a water mill for the natives. The men along with me also put up here, and had a glass of spirits out of my stores, after their walk. Met Mr. Reimensnieder, the old Chief Paora, and several of the natives, a few hundred yards inland, busily engaged in finishing Mr. Reimensnieder's house, hoping to get it ready before my arrival. They all seemed pleased at my appearance amongst them, and welcomed me to their place. Being naturally a very jealous and suspicious people, they made various enquiries of their pastor, Mr. Reimensnieder, as to why the soldiers accompanied me now on my journey, meaning the Police. He replied that they came as friends, and they need not at all apprehend any other motives. The house, which is a small hut, occupied by Mr. Reimensnieder, is comfortable and clean; and we have enjoyed a good dinner in it. Like the St. Kilda house, you must stoop to enter the door. When inside, you can almost stand erect. Wrote a note to the Taranaki Chief, sending him a belt as a gift from me, and telling him it was my soldier belt; but to him it was given as we should girdle our loins together in time of war. Also a note to King, Taranaki. In the evening the Chief, Te Paora, and several of the elder people of the place, were to hold a consultation with me. I first told them the objects of the Police accompanying me, to which they readily assented, and requested me to bring them with me at all times. Their greatest regret was the want of food and accomodation for them. On being asked whether Mr. Reimensnieder was a duly authorised elergyman, I answered that he was, and from the land that Reformation had first commenced, about 1521, by Dr. Luther, who was born in 1841; that I recognised him as a good and useful minister, whose principles differed but slightly from my own. They appeared delighted at this relation, and told me that Mr. Bollard termed him a Roman Catholic, or Pikopo. I gave them to understand that it was not my business to interfers in religious discussions; that my interference was confined to things of this world only. A tall old Chief, got up in a dogskin mat, and gave us a long oration to the effect that all the natives should be of one religion, and not divided in every Pah or village; that I was welcome, and all Europeans; that at one time the New Zealanders thought their own island and people the only land inhabited, or elsewhere to be met; that they found there were foreigners who introduced a doctrine of redeeming man and causing him to be a new being, to which they all adhere in the hope of being saved. This, and various quotations from Scripture, and advice to his friends to be followers of their new ministers. Piripi then spoke, and said that he regretted having once disobeyed a request of mine; that he hoped I should forgive it; and that he would not repeat his disobedience; that if I were not his minister he loved me as his parent; and that he found me still his friend though he forfeited my good wishes. His speech was delivered in an animated but affected strain; and he said, in ending, - "Come, my father; come, our parent, come always, and see your Taranaki children, who will be obedient to your desires!" The old Chief assented to all his relative said; and after other speeches of welcome, I replied to what they said
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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/manuscripts/MCLEAN-1031539.2.1

Bibliographic details

53 pages written Apr-Oct 1845, 12 Nov-21 Dec 1846 by Sir Donald McLean in New Plymouth District, Taranaki Region and West Coast Region to Henry Halse, Dr Andrew Sinclair and Sir Donald McLean, related to South Taranaki District, Taranaki (Taranaki Iwi), Diaries and notebooks

Additional information
Key Value
Document date 21 December 1846
Document MCLEAN-1031539
Document title 53 pages written Apr-Oct 1845, 12 Nov-21 Dec 1846 by Sir Donald McLean in New Plymouth District, Taranaki Region and West Coast Region to Henry Halse, Dr Andrew Sinclair and Sir Donald McLean, related to South Taranaki District, Taranaki (Taranaki Iwi)
Document type MANUSCRIPT
Attribution ATL
Author 4809/McLean, Donald (Sir), 1820-1877
Collection McLean Papers
Date 1846-11-00
Decade 1840s
Destination Unknown
Englishorigin ATL
Entityid None
Format Full Text
Generictitle 53 pages written Apr-Oct 1845, 12 Nov-21 Dec 1846 by Sir Donald McLean in New Plymouth District, Taranaki Region and West Coast Region to Henry Halse, Dr Andrew Sinclair and Sir Donald McLean, related to South Taranaki District, Taranaki (Taranaki Iwi)
Iwihapu 53425/Taranaki (Taranaki Iwi)
Language English
Name 42066/Halse, Henry, 1820-1888
Origin 35923/New Plymouth District
Place 35923/New Plymouth District
Recipient 42066/Halse, Henry, 1820-1888
Relatedid 1017718
Section Manuscripts
Series Series 5 Diaries and notebooks
Sortorder 0218-0116
Subarea Manuscripts and Archives Collection
Tapuhigroupref MS-1215-1219
Tapuhiitemcount 5
Tapuhiitemcount 2 100
Tapuhiitemcount 3 30238
Tapuhiitemdescription A box containing five small notebooks and diaries.
Tapuhiitemgenre 3 230058/Personal records Reports
Tapuhiitemname 3 4809/McLean, Donald (Sir), 1820-1877
Tapuhiitemref MS-1215-1219
Tapuhiitemref 2 Series 5 Diaries and notebooks
Tapuhiitemref 3 MS-Group-1551
Tapuhiitemsubjects 3 1446/New Zealand Wars, 1860-1872
Tapuhiitemtitle Diaries and notebooks
Tapuhiitemtitle 2 Series 5 Diaries and notebooks
Tapuhiitemtitle 3 McLean Papers
Tapuhipiecedescription Includes diary entries for 12-14 November and 18-19 December 1846, describing a journey amongst Maori settlements to the south of New Plymouth, and activities in and around New Plymouth. Also includes drafts of instructions to Henry Halse, his subordinate at New Plymouth, and drafts of reports to his superior. At the back of the book are a record of his 1845 accounts with William Black for various supplies.The following volume, MS-1218, contains another draft of the same diary entries for December, but starting earlier, and going right through to 9 January 1847.
Tapuhipiecedisplaydate Apr-Oct 1845, 12 Nov-21 Dec 1846
Tapuhipieceref MS-1217
Tapuhipiecesearchdate 1845-1846
Tapuhipiecetitle Diary, outwards letters and accounts
Tapuhireelref MS-COPY-MICRO-0664-2
Teipb 1
Teiref ms-1284-267
Year 1845

53 pages written Apr-Oct 1845, 12 Nov-21 Dec 1846 by Sir Donald McLean in New Plymouth District, Taranaki Region and West Coast Region to Henry Halse, Dr Andrew Sinclair and Sir Donald McLean, related to South Taranaki District, Taranaki (Taranaki Iwi) Diaries and notebooks

53 pages written Apr-Oct 1845, 12 Nov-21 Dec 1846 by Sir Donald McLean in New Plymouth District, Taranaki Region and West Coast Region to Henry Halse, Dr Andrew Sinclair and Sir Donald McLean, related to South Taranaki District, Taranaki (Taranaki Iwi) Diaries and notebooks

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