HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

ARRIVAL OF REV. JOHN WHITELEY.

MARTYRED AT WHITE CLIFFS,

EARLY EXPERIENCES,

To-morrow, May 21, it will be just 0110 hundred, years since tlic arrival in New Zealand of the devoted missionary, the Rev. John Whiteley, who was afterwards martyred at White Cliffs by ft party of Maoris whom ho was trying to prevent from making an attack oil the pakeha settlement. One of the party shouted, "Go back Whiteley," but the missionary kept on approaching, when a second Maori said, "Dead cocks do not crow," and fired. Mr. Whiteley then knelt down and was praying when the Maoris killed him. Shocked at what they had done the Maoris returned to the bulk of the party who were in the rear, and the chief was so annoyed that lie decided they should return home and not make the attack. 'Die death of the missionary thus saved the settlement from being attacked.

Landed at Bay of Islanfls. Mr. Whiteley was born at Kneesall, Nottinghamshire, on September 27, 1800, and was ordained at Lambeth Chapel in 1832, sailing the same year for New Zealand, accompanied by his young wife. They landed in Sydney on March 10, 1833, and had to wait nntil May the same year before there was a boat leaving for New Zealand. As the vessel, the barque Caroline, was unable to negotiate the Ilokianga Bar it sailed round the North Cape and landed the passengers at the Bay of Islands. Quoting from the diary of Mr. Whiteley, he states:—"May 21, about four o'clock in the evening, we first set foot on the shores of New Zealand. We came to anchor in the bay at 11 a.m., and at 2 p.m. the Rev. IL Williams and James Busby, Esq., British Resident, came aboard, soon followed by the other missionaries of Paihia in their boats. They kindly took us to their settlement, whero we were cordially received and most kindly treated."

"Friday, May 24.—T00k my dear wife in a boat to the Church Mission Station at Kiddee Kiddee (Keri Keri), that place being partly on the way to Mangungu, our own station. It was considered advisable, as the weather was fine, that we should be getting homeward. I returned in the evening to see after our baggage, etc."

A Toilsome Journey. "May 30th.—Left Kiddie Kiddie, where my dear wife has been kindly entertained for a week at Mr. Baker's for Mangungu. My wife was carried in an armchair, fixed on two poles, by eight stout men—two at a time in their turn. We set out at 7 a.m.; arrived at Waimato about 11; here we were kindly entertained, and cordially and afiectionately pressed to remain until the following day. But the weather being line, we thought it best to be getting forward. After a toilsome journey, i'i which we had a fine specimen of New Zealand travelling, wo arrived safely at Mangungu, Hokianga, about 7 o'clock in the evening, thankful to God for having brought us safely home." In a letter to his brother in England, Mr. Whiteley gives a more detailed account of their journey from Bay of Islands to Hokianga:— "This was a tremendous undertaking. Mrs. Whiteley was carried in an armchair by eight strong men—two at a time. The distance is about 30 miles; but wo have not English roads, and it is impossiblo for an Englishman who has never been beyond his own coast to form any opinion of the difficulty of our undertaking. Sometimes through swamp up to the knees in mud; at other times, up hills which it would be impossible to ascend but for the roots of trees which form a rough kind of steps; or descending prccipiccs, down which one might easily tumble headlong; and the way so soft and slippy at this wet season of the year that one is in danger of slipping at every step. I was in constant fear lest my wife should be upset; but the natives are remarkably sure-footed, never slipping or stumbling at all— until after dark, when they had her down in the mud twice; but through mercy, she was not hurt. We got home safe and sound about 7 o'clock at night, tired enough; and I thank God that, after a few months' trial, I can still call it 'home' with as much satisfaction as if in England."

Moved to Kawhia. After being six: years at Hokianga, Mr. Whiteley removed to Kawhia in 1839. This journey of 150 miles was undertaken by land, and lay along the coast, and took a month, but all seemed benefited by the trip. After spending 17 years at Kawhia, Mr. Whiteley was for two years in Auckland, living at the old Mission House in Men Crescent. In ISSC lie was sent to New Plymoutlu In communicating this decision to Mr". Whiteley, the secretary states:—"The Conference has especially felt the importance of securing a suitable supply for the native work of New Plymouth. The present distracted state of the natives of that district, your well-known influence among them, and your long and deep experience in all native matters, point you out as the very best supply wo could obtain for that position. Wo trust you will be made a gi-eat blessing among those who liavc ever looked upon you as their temporal saviour."

Mr. Whiteley lived in Taranaki for the rest of his life, going through all the trials and tribulations of the years of war. His tragic death on February 13, 1809, at the hands of rebel natives, caused grief and sorrow to both races.

There are many memorials in Taranaki, the chief being the Whiteley Memorial Church in" New Plymouth. An obelisk in the cemetery was erected to the memory of the White Cliffs massacres, and a fine cairn at Pukearuhc was erected in 1922 on the spot where he was killed. A brass memorial tablet is in Pitt Street Church. None of Mr. Whiteley's immediate family is now living, but Mrs. Seabrook and Messrs. John •and Walter McElwain, of Auckland, arc grandchildren, also Mr. Bernard Rawson, of Epsom, and Judge Rawson, of Wellington. There are other grandchildren in New Plymouth, New South Wales and Scotland.