Stirring Experiences

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 19

Stirring Experiences

| The Rev. William Kirk, a Wesleyan missionary, who landed In this in 1847, had many stirring tales to tell. One experience, not entirely typical o the early days, stands out in hi s we, A vear after his arrival he married a daughter of the Rev. John Hobbs and was appointed to a mission station on the Whanganui River. A schooner, the Harriet Leithart, was chartered to convey the bride and ’groom from HoManga to Whanganui, and Mr. Hobbs thought it well to accompany the young couple. They were nearly wrecked outside the Hoklauga bar, and the vessel had to lie to off Taranaki tor I days, which was swept by heavy gales. When the entrance to the Whanganui River was at last reached, on a calm evening, there was no signal that all was clear, so the captain decided to wait till the morning. But in the early hours of that morning the small vessel was rocked by a dreadful earthquake, and a terrible tempest swept her ashore. The waves were washing the deck and there seemed no hope for the passengers, but daylight revealed that the vessel was lying on the north bank of the river, and with the falling tide it was found possible to walk ashore. Mr Hobbs went up to the settlement for assistance, and Major Wyatt, the military commandant, sent a party of soldiers to assist, and the passengers’ goods were landed safely, though the schooner was a lota) wreck. Although the town was in an absolute panic and there was much damage done, the people were most kind, and the following Sunday the missionaries preached in a large raupo church which had boon erected by the settlers. The next week Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Kirk went up the river, and land was purchased. The Maoris agreed to build a home for the young couple, their labour to be paid for in goods. The house was, of course, very primitive. Poles were inserted in the ground and wheat straw used for the walls. The building was 30ft. by 14ft., and had neither floor nor chimney. Mrs. Kirk divided it into three rooms, and here they lived for twelve months. Later they enjoyed the luxury of a small weatherboard cottage which boasted a chimney built of stone from _ I the river.—J.J.G. (Lower Hutt).