OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 12101, 15 August 1936, Page 3

OBITUARY

VETERAN MARINER CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER FAULKNER INTERESTING CAREER After a long life of stirring experiences, the death occurred on Wednesday at his residence, Queen Street, Onehunga, of Captain Christopher Faulkner, who was born at Otumoetai eighty-four years ago. He was the son of Mr John Rees Faulkner, who came to Tauranga in 1841 and kept a store at Otumoetai where he traded with the natives, principally in maize and native gum. In later years Mr Christopher Faulkner became, throughout this and the East Coast and North Auckland districts one of the most popular ana wellknown skippers in the employ of the Northern Steamship Company. When he was a lad there were no other white boys near the home at Otumoetai, so he spent his early childhood with the native boys as playmates. In 18dl the growing unrest among the natives compelled the father to move his family to Auckland, where they remained until the latter part of 18 63. He then bought a small vessel and brought the family back to Tauranga and opened a store on The Strand near where Messrs Tanner Bros.’ butchers’ shop now stands. In July, 1934, he told a representative of the Bay of Plenty Times that one of his clearest recollections as a boy—he would then' be twelve years old —was being taken out in the direction of Gate Pa by his father, in company with his brothers Jarvie and Alfred, on that memorable day of April 29th, IS’64, and from a small hill just beyond where the hospital is now —presumably on the knoll where Mr Chas. McNaughton’s home stands-—watching the shelling of Gate Pa by the British troops. “I remember,” said Captain Faulkner, it was getting towards evening, when father and I came back to town. About half-an-hour after we got back my two brothers came running in to say that the troops were being slaughtered. My father was just on the point of taking us all off to one of the man-o-war anchored in the harbour, when word came in that things were all right. We were expecting an attack from the direction of Judea.”

The family remained in Tauranga until 1860 and then moved across again to Otumoetai to the old homestead, hut trouble with the natives at Whakamarama shortly afterwards sent them back to town once more.

The only Europeans at Otumoetai before the family went to Auckland in 1861 were the Faulkners and Jimmy Fell, who also went to Auckland, hut did not return. There were also the Johnsons at Wairoa, Potiers and Bidois at Te Puna.

When the trouble at Whakamarama was over, the family was back once more at Otumoetai, but the first chapter in a somewhat adventurous boyhood was closed, for in 1866 Christopher went to sea. He was first in a little cutter that his brother used to run between Tauranga and Maketu. He then sailed in the “Jane,” a schooner belonging' to his father and trading between Auckland and Gisborne. Then he joined the "Tauranga,” 63 tons, a topsail schooner of his father’s, running between Tauranga and Auckland. Ashore again for a short spell until adventure once more beckoned. Te Kooti was back from the Chathams and trouble was astir. There, was a call for volunteers and Christopher joined up with the Taurdnga Cavalry under Major Mawsom. In that troop of cavalry, Samuel Clarke was a lieutenant. He lived in the large house on the hill which was wheeled into the harbour to reclaim for the railway, and provided the site for the town hall and library buildings. Shortly after the troop was formed, the members were one day summoned to parade and informed that volunteers were required for active service in the direction of Galatea. The whole troop volunteered and were ordered to proceed to Rotorua and then towards Galatea where Te Kooti was giving trduole. They ultimately camped at Heruwiwi, were' there about a month and then ordered to Galatea. After being there a week or two Major St. John and Lieut. Clarke, wishing to proceed to Taupo, the company was ordered to parade. The remainder of this porMon of the veteran skipper’s story was interesting, so we give it in his own words: —“We formed up,” he said, “and I was picked out to carry dispatches to Tauranga. As I left Galatea for Tauranga, Major St. John and Lieut. Clarke and the escort left for Taupo. I left Galatea early in the morning on horseback. I came through the Matahina bush to Te Teko and then followed a pig track to the beach. 1 then followed the beach to Matata, was ferried across there, and went on to the Waihi, which I had to ford. At Maketu there was another ferry and I reached Tauranga harbour at Matapihi about 2 o’clock in the morning. It was low water and I rode out as far as I could and then fired a shot to attract the attention of the ferryman. He heard me and came- across. I have no idea what the message was that I carried, but Peter Grant arrived later the same morning bringing word that nearly all those who had been left behind had - been massacred, only a few escaping. I returned to Galatea and was then ordered to Te Teko. I made another trip shortly afterwards to Tauranga with dispatches, and was then sent to Maketu, where I remained about three months, being the only orderly stationed there. Things were then settling down, and I came to Tauranga and left the Company.”

Soldiering over. Captain Christopher went back to the sea in the “Tauranga.” After several trips to the Islands in a brigantine, he joined his brother-in-law in the old “Southern Cross.” From her he went to the "Rowena” with Captain Sellars, and then the Northern Steamship Company was formed. His next ship was the “Iona” under Captain Farquhar trading between Auckland and Northern ports. Then came another change. The first party of Katikati settlers had arrived, and had to be served, so Captain Chris. Faulkner left the "Iona” and started running the “Hazard” on his own account between Tauranga and Katikati. For about eight years he was engaged in this trade about the harbour, and then he went back to the Northern Company’s employ. In the “Douglas” for about seven months under Captain Austin running to Opotiki, then to the “Chelmsford” on the same run, and later to the “Waiti” as mate, again under Captain Norbury. , The next change was on promotion, his first command being the “Katikati.” A few months later he transferred to the “Fingal’’ and had her for about eight years, trading in the Bay. Then he took command of the old “Waimana” running between Auckland and Whakatane, and afterwards went over to the “Mangapapa” on the same run. Five years later found him in command of the “Tasman,” and he had her for ten years, still running to Whakatane. The next change was to the Northern Wairoa, running between Helensville and DaTgaville. He was there eight years in command of several of the company’s boats. At the end of that period his boat was laid up, so he decided to leave the Company’s service and retire from the sea. And so ended a long career of activity closely associated with the development and growth of Tauranga and the whole of the Bay of Plenty. Captain Faulkner was twice married and is survived by his wife, five sons ana seven daughters. There are 43 grandchildren and ten greatgrandchildren.