WHALING DAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 12

WHALING DAYS.

MOERAKI CENTENARY. CELEBRATIONS ARRANGED. OTAGO'S COLOURFUL PERIOD. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. An interesting and colourful period of Otago's history will be recalled during the celebration of the centenary of the establishment of a pakeha settlement at Moeraki on December 20, 27 and 28. The full history of the settlement of Moeraki doubtless goes baok for several hundred years, for a place so favourably situated naturally attracted the native inhabitants of this country, aml.kuikas had existed in the neighbourhood for generations before the arrival of the whalers, who were the lirst white settlers. There are many legends connected with the district, including tales of fierce tribal battles between the Nga-taliu and the Ngati-Mamoe, the famous "Lost Tribe." This aspect of the district's history lias'not been lost sight of by the Centenary Celebrations Committee, and interesting traditional ceremonies of the Maori will be a prominent feature of the programme, says the Dunedin correspondent of the "Star Sun." American Visits. While it is probable that American and other whaling ships visited Moeraki in the early thirties of last century, the beginning of permanent occupation of the vicinity can with considerable confidence be stated to have occurred on December 26, 1836. This date is given by Mr. Isaac Haberfiekl, a member of the pioneer party, who lived in the province until 1906, and this information has been corroborated in various quarters. The leader of the party was John Hughes, a native of .Sydney, who had visited New Zealand as early as 1833 with the Weller brothers, the owners of the station at Otakou Heads.

• The actual site of the station established by Hughes was Onekakara, on the northern side of the peninsula, the spot now occupied by the township of Moeraki. After five successful seasons the business 'declined,' although it was pursued in a desulto'ry fashion until 18.">0. As a centre of both Maori and white population, ]Vloeraki was visited bv most of the early travellers, including Bishop I'ompallier, Bishop Nehvyn, Dr. Shortland and Frederick Tuckett, the surveyor. The Pastoral Era. A frequent visitor was the Rev. James 'Watkiris, who established a Weslevan missionary station at Waikouaiti "in 1840. After 1S">0 the pastoral era of settlement began, several large runs being established, but the harb'our continued to be frequented until the completion of the railway. In more recent years the fishing industry has given renewed vigour to the settlement," and it ranks as one of the chief fishing spots of New Zealand," so that its prosperity now, as at the beginning, is from the sea.

The centenary celebrations will begin |on December 26 with open-air religious services at which music will be provided by Maoris. On Monday the centenary regatta and aquatic sports will be held. Later in the day the official opening will be performed and a pageant of the landing of the original whalers will take place. In the evening a banquet will be held, and the day's entertainment will be concluded with a bonfire on the signal hill. On Tuesday the programme will be contributed entirely by Maoris from all parts of New Zealand, the events being of an original character. A ball will be held in the evening.