THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 149, 25 June 1888, Page 7

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND.

J FEW PAGES FOR k NEW ZEALAND HISTOiJy. BY W. H. J. SEFFEHN, nftfew PlvmouthJrom Noizs collected duriiig a period of lliirty Years,

[FROM TEE FAMILY FRIEND.^

CHAPTER XIL

ffhe Growth of Kororarika Stopped—Commcr

cial Panic at Bay of Islands—Bank Building Finished—The Land Question—Scene on the Beach at Kororarika — Natives Welcome Their Chief's Return—Description of the Maoris of Old—A Firo in the Town—Natives Murder Six Europeans at Cloudy Bay—Captain John Robertson Drowned—Singular Case of Piracy-Cusk tom-house Erected on Tabooed GroundFormal Possession Taken of Land Now the Site of Auckland City—Country Described—Hoisting of Flag and Town, Pro-olaimed-Mr Felton Matthews and, Hi? Epaulettes,

■2» KORORARIKA was a busy little town for a few months after the arrival of Governor Hobson. S übs tantial buildings w ere erec ted in all directions as fast as the timber could be procured. The carpenters' hammer might have been heard the whole day long, while sawyers who chose to work found full employment. Dozens of men were engaged cutting timber in the bußb., while their mates in pits sawed the green logs into planks and scantling. These pit-sawyers earned immense wages. There was a large quantity of timber also imported from Sydney and Hobart Town, which fetched very high prices. The buildings, as a rule, were weatherboard cottages of the roughest character. It was at first thought that Kororarika would have been - fixed upon' as the capital of New Zealand, -but when (on September 19th, 1840) it was announced that a spot on the Waitemata Estuary had been decided upon by the Governor as the seat of Government, it caused a sort of panic in the North, and the activity in connection with building operations was suspended. The banking house, however, was completed in October of that year, and to show that it was a building Of some pretensions, we have the. authority of the local paper published at the time fOr stating that 'it was a credit -to the town,' in fact the reporter, in the usual stereotyped manner, says : 'It is with real satisfaction -that we have witnessed the very handsome manner in which the workmen have accomplished their task.' ... It was also about this time that the legislation in Sydney with regard to land in New Zealand was made known, and consequently considerable excitement was caused thereby amongst tho inhabitants, so much so that quite a panic took possession of the people, and a complete suspension of commercial affairs in the place ensued. The ' Claims to Grants of Land in New Zealand Act,' which virtually confiscated all the land acquired by Europeans from the Maoris previous to the colony being annexed by Britain, was considered by the settlers to be totally illegal, and accordingly petitions to the British Parliament were got up and numerously signed, protesting against sufch an unjust and arbitrary piece of legislation. Referring to this subject, the Kororarika •Advertiser' of October 29th, 1840, says :— 'If it had been the intention of the Sydney isg-islature to cut up this young community by the roots, they could scarcely have adopted a more effectual means than that which they have employed. The dulness of Kororarika, in comparison with its former activity, is becoming exceedingly noticeable. Indeed, it is useless to disguise tie fact that there is almost nothing doing in trade, and the little that yet remains is done at prices which can only cause loss. Why has Sir George Gipps acted so druelly ? What an amount of moral responsibility leats upon his conscience for the fearful injury tie has inflicted in unsettling the mind of every colonist in New Zealand 1 These are the questions which he can alone .answer. It is idle, however, for him to think of being borne out by the British Jtiiblio ahd the Imperial Government. We ate cjiiifce persuaded it cahnot be; ahd, moreover, we believe that not ohly the character and situation of the natives, but those of every settler, stand as insurmountable obstacles to the actual enforcing, of the Commissioners' Act. Nothing but ignorance of the subject could have produced and passed such a measure. But if, in deed, the matter be persisted in, the Act will defeat itself by rendering it impossible to raise a revenue, ahd consequently by preventing the establishment of a colony here at all.' It was, however, no good, for the fate of Kororarika had been sealed, owing to the fixing on another site for the ■capital of the new colony by the Governor, .on the bank of the Waitemata estuary. ,£ororarika never again resumed the position it once held in the early history of the colony, nor has it ever much altered in its appearance from what it was fifty years ago. The native race have, by their intercoarse with Europeans, abandoned many of their customs; or those they still adhere to are not carried out in the same picturesque and primitive manner as was their wont in the days lam writing about. On September 9th, 1840, a most animated scene was witnessed on the beach of Kororarika. The occasion was the welcoming home of Mora, the brother of the * Chieftain River,' from ah expedition tvhich had caused his absence for several months. A correspondent Of a Sydney paper thus describes the scene:— ' My attention was first directed to "a Maori group on the shore in the front of Clayton *wd Co. 's store. Men, women, and children; *ere there collected, and were waving their garments, which were of various colours—red being the most conspicu-Ous-Mn a most graceful manner, indicating some strong emotions of joy. I soon perceived, however, in the distance the cause of this demonstration. It was a fleet of canoes, thirteen or fourteen in number, all paintedred, which werecrowded with natives. By sofile signal from the shore they were induced to direct their course to that part of the beach occupied by a native pah. The paddling of the men in the canoes was BingiiMy i _ cohcert. The dress of the Ocfcttpante, being varied in form and Colour, was imposing and picturesque. Some of the natives had red shirts *Di and other plaid shawls. Some had Wankets, some had native mats ; some were ,foßtrietly European costume, whilst others *ere only clothed from the middle downward, the breast, back and shoulders being oared for the labour of the paddle. Altogether the little fleet looked very pretty as it glided along the water towards the shore. Sooh the canoes approach the land, when the occupants _& be heard uttering a guttural sound Perfectly ih kefepihg ' with the scene. As the pointed heads of the canoes feaphed the edge of the water, each of tho "ativeS.with great rapidly leaped on to tho "^ch, and leaving- only a few to watch cv^ r the contents of their boats,, they ran iii \botv> with paddles erect, in the direction ot whe^ their. Mends were .standifig. Ajwy then suddenly stopped.and squatted jjwil. _ AfteV a short time the riati^s all ™sa simultaneously, ran a short distance. *n« then again squatted down. Thia action was repeated oVer ahd over WM i Then, standing erect, they all «aped fa toncei-t.high frpm the ground, ™IS1«K their paddles each time like so J ai>y B^at-s. This kifitt of corroboree \*M continued for a considerable time, aud

afterwards the natires joined with their tnend., when, placing their noses together, each uttered a melancholy whining sound. -*ac Maoris were then seen to go toward the pah, where a great feast of welcome had been prepared.' Such scenes are never seen now, but an occurrence, as referred to above, shows the character of the natives in their uncivilised state better, perhaps, than any lengthened dissertation. I must, however, while referring to them, give the opinion of a writer to a Sydney newspaper, who was evidently a very observant man, and who seems to have very correctly portrayed in a few words the chief characteristics of the Maori as he was when the European first came amongst and mixed with the fast-disappearing race. He writes in 1835: 'In the aggregate, I do not consider the New Zealanders a brave race of men. Stratagem and cunning are the Weapons chiefly used in their wars with each other. They are fond of their children, and are kind to their slaves, who, in a short time after capture, are considered as part of the family. The women—where do they not?—possess great kindness of heart, and those who are married seldom are guilty of an act of infidelity. Many instances of their devotion and attachment to their husbands are within my own knowledge. They mourn deeply and bitterly for a time, then generally end their grief and their cares by some violent death. Tho New Zealander possesses a very respectable share of intellect—indeed, more than the aborigines of the other islands, whether in the southern or northern Pacific ; they are quick, ingenious, and easily taught. They are fond of inquiry, and nothing escapes them. A secret is never safe with a Maori,though his life depended on the keeping of it. This is a fair description of the aboriginal; but the half-civilized Maori of the present day is a different individual altogether. The local paper at the Bay of Islands published occurrences as they, happened at Korerarika, and from the following extracts it will be seen that social events were not much different then" to what we reael of in the newspaper as happening at the present time. The following items will be interesting in connection with this history of the early settlement at the Bay of Islands:—

'At Taiamai on 23rd October (1840), during the absence of Mr G. T. Palmer, his kitchen and store was burnt to the ground, but owing to the great exertions of the natives the fire was extinguished, or the .dwelling-house must also have been levelled. The damage done was estimated at £60. ' Late drr Saturday evening (October 24th, 1840) intelligence reached Kororarika that six white men had been killed by the natives at Cloudy Bay. Acting upon tho information, our active police magistrate. Michael Murphy, Esq., immediately issued orders for a party of military, stationed here, to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to the place .mentioned on the followingmOrnihg by the New Zealand Company's barque Rroiigham'.' Oh' Sunday it blew a gale, and they were unable to get under weigh. However, oh Monday morning they took their departure, Lieut. Best commanding the party. They were also accompanied by Mr Murphy, Captain Chaffers, and one or two police officeis.' The vessel visited Cloudy Bay, blit by the time it reached there the natives had all left the spot, and no tidings of the affair could be heard of.

'On the 11th October a fatal accident happened to the eldest son of the Rev. MiTaylor, of the Church of England Mission. The horse he was riding bolted, and he fell, being dragged by the stirrup for more than a hundrecf yards, the animal being at full gallop.' On Saturday, October 24th,Captain John Robertson is recorded as having met with his death through a boat upsetting in a squall in the Bay. He was tho seventh son of the Rev. William Robertson, of Friar's Hall, near Kelso, Royburghshire. His six elder brothers all took to the sea, and all met watery graves. Captain John Robertson, it is stated in the paper I am quoting from, had, after innumerable dangers, at last abandoned the sea ; and on the occasion of his being drowned was merely sailing in a cutter for his own amusement in tho harbour. A squall suddenly upset the boat and he was drowned in the sight of his own house and family. Captain Robertson was thirty-four yeaf-s oi age, and he had in the boat With him ft half^native of South Australia, who was drowned also. To show the feeling of insecurity felt by the Europeans with regard to the land tenure, I cannot do better than publish the remarks of the 'Advertiser' with reference to Captain Robertson'sproperty:—' \Ve trusthis widow and infant offspring will never be disturbed in the possession of their little island by any act of Council. To expel widows and orphans from house and home, and all its endearments, would reflect but little credit on the Government of England. So great a cruelty, so crying an injustice, would rend the heart of our amiable and lovely Queen.' I need scarcely add that tho widow was not disturbed, in her possession.

A most. singular case of piracy is recorded in the papers about this date. It appears that Captain Davis, of the schooner Currency Lafes, had been summoned for an assault, but being ordered by the owner to take the vessel to sea, was on the point of obeying the order when the constables went oh board and took hito into custody. They were bringing the captain on shore whed he was ordered back by the owner. The constables then went for the magistrate, who returned with them. Not, however, being able to effect their object in securing their man, the magistrate made application to the captain of H.M.s. Favourite, who after firing several times thrice with balls - armed a boat's crew to cut off the course of the schooner in her attempt t5 work out of the harbour against a head. wind. The end Was answered, arid.. Captain Davis and Mr. Hoolon were both taken into custody. They were brought up before the magistrate next day, and committed for trial at Sydney for. piracy. Mr HtioloH Was admitted out on bail. . The vessel itself was placed in charge of the ships of war, and, it was expected, would be_ subject to a hehvy fine. Several of the sailors were also imprisoned until they paid a fine of £5 each.

On Monday, October 26th, several of the native chiefs of Kororarika waited on Lieu-tenant-Governor Hobson, to represent to him that their rights were being violated by the erection of the CttetOlris House upon the tabooed ground; where their friends had been buried. His Excellency investigated the matter, and finding the complaints were correct, ordered the building to be removed without delay, and the workineh engaged upon it immediately commenced pulling it down.

As I have stated, it was on Friday, September 18th, 1840, at 1. p.m., that formal possession was taken of. the lattd oil the banks of the Waitemata, and the netf GO\tet-rilhent township proclaimed 'Auek : land' in the name of the Queen. A flagstaff was erected in what was thfeh called Commercial Bay, the spot being, I believe, somewhere near, if not on.the site, .of the AucklAxl) Star Office. BritomarcPointwas then covered with ferh, and from where the Post Office stands ft ridge ran up in a line with Shortland Crescent, and between this ridge arid the water there was a very pretty clump of hfttive trees, shriibs, and climbers.. The cliffround Britoniftrt Was" Steep to the water's edge, but from what is known as W. a Graham s bonded stores, and passing in fio.it of Star Office in Port-street was a fine clear beach of soft sand and shell, Which continued across' Queeh^strget, behind the New Zealand In; surance Building. Here the cliff became steep to the water's edge, exfcept at the extreme of Srilale's Point, where thele was a small landing beach, composed of Sfl'ft fek'rid &nd sfcdnfes. that at .that time seemed to have fallen from ths cliff,

The ea.st end of Fort-street was thus on the edge of the tide. South of the ridge that forms Shortland Crescent, alon°r the hollow occupied by Chancery Lane, High-street, and Lome-street, also by the junction of Wakefield, Grey and Cook streets, and down the west side of Queen-street to where the Bank of New Zealand is, there was tfeen a narrow belt of bush, that in a half circle formed a sort of boundary shelter to the two or three tents that were first habitations in Auckland. There was also a creek that opehed out from Upper Queenstreet, crossed at the bottom of Cook-street and continued its course at the back of the Theatre Royal across Victoria-street, and parallel with Queen-street till it emptied itself into the bay. The rising ground behind the half circle of bush just described is now Albert Park, whilst Karangahape Road, Hobson and Albert-streets were covered with low fern and manuka scrub. This description will give a slight idea of how Auckland has been cut about and the features of the land changed. Tbe hoisting of the flag was a signal for the two war vessels in the bay, which had brought the party there three days before, to fire salutes in honour of the occasion. It was quite afeteday.we are told,for boats ran races, and a lunch was given on one of the ships, at which the following Government officials were present:— Mr Michael Murphy, Police Magistrate ; Dr. W. Davies, Colonial Surgeon;. Mr William Mason, Superintendent of Public Works; Mr Thomas Forsaith, the Sub - Protector of Aborigines; Mr Felton Matthews, the Surveyor General. With regard to tbe latter, it is said that before being appointed to the Surveyor-Generalship of New Zealand he had held the position of Town Surveyor of Sydney, and as showing the characteristics of Mr Matthews, I find it recorded that he on that occasion asked Sir G. Gipps to be allowed to wear two epaulettes. Governor Gipps is reported to have replied, 'As Town Officer you are allowed to wear one epaulette; I have no objection to your wearing three ; but it requires a better man than you to wear two.' Thus was Auckland founded, and from such a small beginning has the present extensive city sprung.

(To be Continued.)

"Mr. Barnes of New York," is the title of a novel that has not a very romantic sound,, but readers of it will discover that Mr,BarnfiS of NeW York has a very eventful and far from unromantic career* The plot turns oh a COrsican vendetta. Ih the Opening chapters we have the narrative of a duel between an English naval officer and a young Corsican, in which tho latter is mortally wounded. His sister Marina, Who has been expecting him home, after a long absence, arrives all too late to see him alive, and vows a vendetta against his slayer, who has already hurried off to join his ship on its way to Egypt. Thenceforward she devotes her life to the pursuit Of this unknown murderer, as she holds him, of her brother. By a cUriOuS and Well-told chain of events she falls in with a Miss Anstruther and lifer bl-other, vPhO turn& out td be ftft English officer whoni she had hutsed in an Alexandrian hospital, whither the pursuit Of her vow had led hen Thfey had there mutually fallen in love, and thelflove is how renewed. {■Simultaneously Mr Barries, who has been present at the duel, having made the acquaintance of Miss Anstruther, after an exceedingly laughable episode, has Won her love and been accepted. Meanwhile Marina's Corsican guardian and would-be husband has discovered evidence to prove that Lieutenant Anstruther is the longgought murderer Of her brother ; biit before he has told her this she has, by a great effort, put away her wicked vow and accepted Bel- suitor's love. Count Danella, resolved that the vengeance shall be accomplished, and Marina fearfully punished, procures that the Wedding shall take place in Corsica. Here the crisis is reached. Marina has not yet been undeceived, and it is uncertain whether her better nature will triumph over her Corsican habits of thought; the English people suspect nothing ; and Mr Barnes; who has reason to suspect the truth, is far away in England. It would be ufifair to the reader and the novelist alike to relate tho result. It is at once exciting and unexpected, and it is worth while to read the book in order to discover it. The strength of the book lies mainly in tbe plot, but the characters are far from being ill-described, arid the interest is well maintained to tbe end. "Mr Barnes of New York" i* now published in book form, arid may bfe had at the Star Office, Auckland, Or from any bookseller in the colony. Price, Is;