THE ALBERTLANDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 96, 24 April 1926, Page 27

THE ALBERTLANDERS.

SETTLEMENT OF PAPAROA.

THE COMING OF THE PIONEERS.

STRENUOUS TRAVEL IN THE 'SIXTIES.

(Edited by HENKY HOOK.)

Among the Nonconformist special settlements, Paparoa well ranks in importance "with Port Albert for the aggregate number of its original settlers, its quiet but steady progress, and its present position as a recognised country centre for local government business and church activities. Having in view the three interests just mentioned, it has not had an ignoble record. Earms, banks, and businesses are well established. Profiting by the -waste and mistakes of the past, local government is emerging year by year to greater efficiency. '

That.the Rev. Wm. Gittos "was a power behind the Nonconformist special settlement movement may 3 not be generally understood. His influence may be traced alike in its genesis and its development. Mr. Gittos, "who had a thorough knowledge of the Maori mind, and had secured the confidence of the natives, knew the danger which existed of tribal wars, and. that the Maoris in the Kaipara were in fear of invasion. Hence it was at the missionary's suggestion that they released portions of land for occupation by British subjects, opening the way for the establishment of a ring of European settlements in proximity to the Maoris, which would be, a safeguard to the local natives froxi tribal interference. Mr. Gittos then being in touch with the Nonconformist Settlement Association in England used his influence to secure the right type of emigrant through the churches, it being of vital importance that .a class" of " settlers with character 55 should be chosen, who were likely to work amicably with the natives.

The passengers from the. Matilda Wattenbach and Hanover were informed on arrival that three blocks of land were available for settlement—Oruawharo (the original " Albertland 55 ), Paparoa, and Matakohe. It was Mr. Brame's wish that all should proceed to " Albertland" proper., .. - ■■-'■.

Paparoa and Matakohe had not been heard of by the Albertland emigrants before arriving'in the colony, owing to the letter of advice sent by the pioneer " advance agent," Mr. Jones, having miscarried. Hearing that the Paparoa district contained much good quality bush land, a number decided to leave the main party and make-this their home. Others, again, settled at Matakohe. Thus it came that the'passengers from these two emigrant vessels, made memorable for ever by their association with Northern history, were dispersed, according to their choice, to the three isolated .districts whose history we are recording—to be reinforced afterwards by quotas from following ships of the same movement. The Maungaturoto block was not opened for settlement till later.

The Government had been pushing on the survey of the Oruawharo block, believing, that the first party .of settlers would all go there, but when they found that a number preferred Paparoa they did all in their power to hasten the work of surveying the latter, block.

The authorities advised the intending settlers for Paparoa to avoid the dangerous boating across the Kaipara Heads, and ship by the small vessels available to Mangawai, thence travelling by land to the head of the Kaiwaka River, the most convenient on the Kaipara from which transit by water could be continued to their destination. This advice was accepted by anumber. Others, again, elected to go via Riverhead, and this led to the separation in travelling routes of the immigrants, aiming fOr the same settlement. When arrangements had been finally made for carriage by the available craft of the day for passengers and luggage for both Port Albert and Paparoa, the-' various parties embarked on their first stage "bushwards," as time and sailing boats allowed. Including the Port Albert settlers and their belongings, one record states that about 100 persons and ,70 tons of luggage -were sent by this route. From .90 to 100 miles by land and water had to be traversed before Paparoa was reached. It is difficult at this distance to individualise all the intending settlers and their families who came by Mangawai, but the following ar.e remembered:—Messrs. James, George, and Richard Clin 1 , Messrs.. W. sen., and Jesse Davis, Thos. John Parsons, Charles Hook, Little, sen., W. and H. Little, G,eorge and Joseph Calvert, B. Hobley, C. Worrall, Sisams (2), and W. J. Symonds. l . The wives and families accompanied the married men, or came :shortly. afterwards. The list includes several single, men. 7' . The late Mr. J. Parsons, sen., who once wrote an interesting mihiature history of Paparoa from its origin, relates the experience of his own group, which gives a fair picture of the -journey. Embarking on a small sloop; called the Rose, two days and nights were - spent on board in pouring rain, sleeping on deck with umbrellas up, and being dreadfully seasick before they arrived at Mangawai. Only two or three houses were in sight, and the place did not look very cheerful. -

Temporary accommodation had to be arranged here; an empty house or shed being secured/and a big tent erected. From one to three weeks "was spent here by different parties awaiting -further transit, giving the' English folk a preliminary taste of camp life in New Zealand; While the party were at Mangawai, Mrs! Jesse Davis gave birth to a baby girl, who was baptised in the camp by Bishop Selwyn on one of his visits. When Miss E. Davis came to womanhood she was a well known and respected teacher under the Auckland Education Board. A party of surveyors for Paparoa, arrived at Mangawai shortly after the immigrants, had a boat at Kaiwaka, and had been requested to take any representatives of the settlers who might wish to go on to Paparoa to inspect the block. Messrs. J. Parsons and Geo. Calvert took advantage of the offer and accompanied them, landing & a point near the boat landing below the present National Bank. On this trip they met with the Eev. William Gittos, who had been making arrangements with the Maoris to convey the' passengers and their goods from Kaiwaka to Pahi. "Returning from this preliminary excursion, he was in. time to meet -the first of the company when they reached Kaiwaka on their way from Mangawai. Novel adventures befel this party on the broken -journey from Mangawai, all of which we have not space to relate, but perseverance was eventually rewarded by a safe arrival at Pahi Point, designated as the future township for'Paparoa. When the Hanover dropped anchor in the Waitemata several men from the port came aboard with gloomy stories of the difficulties ahead.* These could hardly have been exaggerated. But there were-brave spirits -in.thatband : who were not to be daunted in their

ambition to make good) in the new land. Among them were men like James Trounson and Thomas W. Wilson. Had these turned from the colonisation ideal which inspired them the history of Paparoa and its neighbourhood would have been strikingly different. Shortly after the vessel arrived, a visit was paid by the Rev. T. Buddie, commissioned by the Government to inquire if there were among the passengers any qualified school teachers, a demand having arisen for the staffing ■of the special schools in New Plymouth, established as a result of the Maori war. A tempting offer of £300 a .year for this work was declined by Mr. T. W. Wilson, who had come to settle on the land, and did not swerve from his resolve.

Mr. James Trounson was among a crowded party of emigrants which embarked on one of the cutters for Riverhead, a night being spent on the water en route. One record states that in all 300 or 400 emigrants and 150 tons of luggage from the Matilda and Hanover, for the new settlements, were conveyed by cutters to Riverhead, and on big drays to Helensville. In addition, a shipment of the principal.goods was sent-by the sea route round the North Cape. Removal of the goods alone was no light task with the primitive facilities of the time.

We must now trace the adventures of the party in which we are more directly interested, which consisted of Mr. and Mrs. James Trounson, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Wilson and two children (3£ and under 2 years old respectively), and Mr. Alfred Wilson. Having arrived at Helensville they pitched their tents on the bank of the river. Torrential rains descended in the night, flooding the tents and soaking the inmates. After a week spent here the campers were glad one morning to see a new' tent, which had presumably been pitched in the night. The Eev. W. Gittos, who had been expected, had arrived. One of the immigrants, peeping into his tent while he was yet sleeping after his journey, had his first glimpse of " a real live missionary." Mr. Gittos had come in his open pulling boat, with two strong young Maoris. To him the settlers stated their transit difficulties, and be was ready with his practical help and counsel. Giving them the free use of his boat, he instructed the two Maori boys to take the Paparoa party across the harbour and up to the Pahi township, and, having arranged that they should pay the natives a fixed sum for the work, he assured the Europeans that they would be safe in their hands. Mr. Gittos stayed behind at Helensville. Several days were occupied on the journey in the open boat. A night was spent at Shelly Beach, where the newcomers made their acquaintance with a camp of Maoris. It was with the greatest delay and difficulty that they succeeded in " crossing the Heads, 55 where the heavy ocean swell makes a dangerous stretch of water for small boats. They were nearly swamped, and had to put back and make several attempts. Even the Maoris were alarmed. The ordeal which the two women endured—Mrs. Wilson with two young children—may be imagined. However, finally the rough water at the entrance was passed without mishap, and as the boat ascended the harbour, the beauty of the Kaipara began to unfold, a beauty as yet unspoiled by the clearings and burns of the settlers. - - With evening falling, our pioneers landed at the Chief Manukau's camp, at Karakanui, and were kindly-received. The natives regaled*them with fish (boiled in sea water),and kumaras. It was quite a fair-sized village. The chief, evidently picking but Mr. Wilson as somewhat of a. leader among 7 his felibws, and spying in his pocket a "notebook and pencil, asked that the pakeha should write the name of "Manukau 55 alongside the name of _"Wilson 55 in.his book. Mr. Wilson did so, and the Maori was greatly pleased, signifying that this would be the.beginning of friendly and trade relations, and these were afterwards maintained with the white settlers. Gesticulating to the hills which opened wide around, he : indicated that the broad stretch of neighbouring country was all his.' Manukau ordered his men tb clear one side of the long slieeping whare, and this was roughly curtained off to make" ■room for the Europeans. 'Here, amid strange surroundings, and under the protection of rough but'kindly Maori hospitality, they slept f6r the night. From this point is was but .a, short distance-.'to Pahi, where .the party landed next ..day. About half an .hour. afterwards other boats came in sight carrying fellow settlers who had come via Mangawai, Kaiwaka, and the Otamatea. It was nearlyadead heat between these two widely separated parties. The first boat behind contained the Cliff family. Tents were pitched on the Township" Point,, and the English folk made' themselves as i comfortable as possible under camp conditions.

(To be Continued Next Saturday.)