BISHOP G. A. SELWYN

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 135, 9 June 1928, Page 17

BISHOP G. A. SELWYN

AN OUTSTANDING FIGURE HONE HEKE AND THE BISHOP LETTEKS AND JOURNALS Knowing the value t-> New Zealand of tho original journals and letters of the late Bishop G. A. Sehvyn, tho first Bishop of New Zealand, Mr. Johannes C.. Andersen, librarian of the Turnbull Library, Wellington, instituted inquiries as to their whereabouts. "Whilst tho ."journals, at any ■ rate, had iv large part been published in what arc known as "Selwyn's Visitation Tours," Mr. Andersen knew that the journals and letters were enhanced by innumerable sketches—Sehvyn being an expert artist in black and white, and being very free "in illustrating his letters and journals with sketches of the places he visited and of the people ho saw. Mr. Andersen finally got in. touch with the Rev. S. J. Sehvyn, grandson of tho bishop, and this gentleman has proved most willing and obliging in forwardng such manuscripts as he has been able to trace. Two lots have already been sent to the library for the purpose of being, copied, but the journals themselves have not yet been found, though it is hoped they may yet como to light. What has already been received, however, is proving a mine of wealth. It includes an account by tho wife of the bishop of her life in England and whilst she was iv New Zealand—an account written for her grandchildren, and abounding with pictures of the time in which she lived, and character sketches of the people with whom she came in contact, which is exceedingly

illuminating of a side of, life that is not usually touched on in the reminiscences or journals of men. There are also many letters by the bishop, including some written on board ship and on the islands during his Polynesian voyaging; and some of these letters contain sketches in pen and ink or "water-colours which show how versatile the bishop was, and add to the keenness with which the journals themselves arc awaited. As is well,known, the bishop's diocese . included the whole of New Zealand, and he was enthusiastic in his ■work, "visiting every portion of his diocese, either in his little boat, which he himself was well able to navigate, or on foot where other means of locomotion ■were not.to be had. Amongst other walks that he took may be mentioned one from Banks Peninsula- to Otago. Another notable expedition was His journey up the Manawatu River by canoe, and walking overland to Tnuranga, where he met the Rev. 11. Williams almost on the actual day appointed by him, showing that in spite of there being no means of transport appointments could be. kept in these wild days as well as or better than in these days of time-table trains and motorcars and steamers. Amongst the papers is one account of particular interest, iof such great interest, indeed, that a portion of it is reproduced here. . lI.M. Colonial Brig Victorin, ■ Bay of Plenty, Easter Eve, 1845. . . . Though there were many defects in 'the. mission system, and though' the,acts of some of the missionaries had gone to favour the general imputation of a desire to dispossess the Natives of their land, yet, in the main, it had this advantage over the Government, that its principal object was the benefit of the'aboriginal race; and that this desire was visibly attested by the chapels, schools, and mission houses which were to be seen-in all parts of the country. That the difference was not unremarked by the Natives is evident from the fact that when Kororareka was destroyed hy fire, house after house, the two chapels and the two residence houses were studiously preserved. The first indication of disaffection to the British Government which I observed was in March, 1843, from the same John Hcke, who has since made himself so conspicuous in his opposition to our Government. Being engaged in taking a census of the Native population of the Waimatc district, I went to his place, a village named Waikohc, and asked the name of himself and several other chiefs with whom he was sitting; upon which they all rose and loft me sitting ,by myself. I found on inquiry that they suspected me. of an intention of sending their names to the Queen. For a long lime my residence at Waimate was supposed to hnvc some connection with the general scheme for taking forcible possession of the country. These suspicions were studiously favoured by travelling dealers, who abused Uieir small knowledge of the Native language to misrepresent the (ioverninent and slander the missionaries. CUTTING DOWN THE' FLAGSTAFF. About the middle of the year 1844. the flagstaff on the hill above. KororaTelia began to be talked of sis si sign of the assumption of Xew Zcuhind by the British Government. The decline of the prices of Native produce which had taken place since the removal of Governor Hobson to Auckland was attributed to signals mnde on the flagstaff to keep vessels of other nations from entering the port. The Queen's Hag flying upon it was considered a proof that the sovereignty of the Native chiefs was at au 'end. Meetings began to be held, at which John Ifeke was the chief speaker, the subject of discussion being (he cutting down of the liagstiiff. Tn the month of August, 1844, HoUo assembled p party of armed men and proceeded to Korurareka, where he spent Saturday and a part of .Sunday in alarming the inhabitants, and early on Monday morning mounted the hill and cut. down the staff. I was at Pailiia at the time, engaged in the Native school; at the close of ■which the first words which I heard •wore "kua hinga tc kara" (the colour has fallen). I shuddered' at the thought of this beginning of hostilities, *o full of presage of evil for the future.

Ileke then crossed to Fa Una, and with his party danced the war dance in my face; after which many violent speeches were made, and they then returned to Kaikohe. TROOPS PROM SYDNEY. The Governor on hearing of this despatched a vessel to Sydney for troops, which returned to the Bay of Islands in three weeks with 200 men; The Governor had gone in tho meantime in the Hazard sloop of war to settle a disturbance with the Natives at Taranaki, whither I travelled by land and met him, and wo returned together by sea to tho Bay of Islands soon after tho arrival of the troops. The whole force, naval and military, was collected at Korikeri ready to embark and march into the interior; but at the urgent request of the friendly Natives the Governor went to the Waimate, attended only by Colonel Hulme, of the 90th Regiment, and Captain Robertson, of the Hazard sloop. We received His Excellency with such'• collegiate hospitality as we could provide; and assisted at a great meeting at which he explained to tho Natives .clearly and fully the intentions of tho British Government; and assured them that he had no desire to take any violent means to vindicate the honour of tho Crown, but should demand ten guns to bo given up as an acknowledgment for the insult. A general cry of "Here they arc" was immediately raised; and some of the principal chiefs of the place brought them and laid them at his feet. The whole manner of the chiefs on the occasion was very pleasing and impressive. But Heko stood aloof, and would'not come to the meeting. The next day, when the Governor had gone, he came to hear the particulars of the meeting, aud to ascertain tho reason of my leading the Wailtiatc, which I assured him had no connection whatever with tho disturbed state of the country; but that latters which I had received from England: had determined me to return to Auckland. Bishop Sehvyn then describes his visit to Auckland, and subsequently to Waikato, Taupo, and Wanganui 'and Wellington.) TACT REQUIRED. While at "Wanganui Bishop Sehvyn assisted in making peace between two hostile parties of Maoris. lie says in his diary:—After a few days of negotiation, conducted chiefly by Mr. M'Lean, the Protector, during which I had the more agreeable duty of examing and admitting to confirmation more than 300 Native converts, it was agreed that the war party should go within sight of their enemies, fire off three guns, and dance their war dance in order to "whakapata to aitua," i.e., "to let out the ill omen." All these communications wore conducted in the most friendly manner, with the single exception of one chief, who took occasion of offence at an allusion which I made to his ears being stopped when he refused to listen to rue unless I would give him some tobacco. The car and the whole of the head of a chief is considered sacred by the heathens, anil may not bo trespassed upon even by word of month.' Of course I tendered an apology, which was not accepted; and his. wife, a perfect virago, attacked mo with genuine extract of tho bush (exprcssa arbusto convieia), to which my oars were as deaf as her husband's sacred organ h;id been to me. The principal chief, To ileulicu, claimed acquaintance with Mr. Taylor and me, as having received us hospitably at 'J'aupo in the previous year a hint wihch we understood to mean that ho wished for a present. We told him that wo could give nothing till we knew his intentions, but that when we were sure that he would revurn quietly to his place, the gratitude for his kindness would bo shown in some present to himself and his son, a promise which was afterwards performed "by presenting him and his brother chic/with four blankets and as many trousers and shirts. In tho hope of making peace between tho two parties, Major Hichmond and I walked to To Ihupuku, where Mr. M'Lean, Mr. Bolland, and Mr. Skevini--ton and Mr. Turton, Wesleyan missionaries, were engaged in communicating with the Taranaki Natives on the same points. About midway wo found a present of food, and a letter addressed to Tc Heuheu. The letter was friendly, but the food was so scanty that it was considered by the taua as an intentional insult, as they wore.not willing to consider that a force of 1000 men assembled at one point for several weeks must have exhausted the provisions of the neighbourhood. As soon as Iwikau, the second in command to Te Honhnu, arrived at tho spot and saw the present he affected to fall into a violent passion, and acted to the life all the gestures of an infuriated savage, declaring that it was an intentional insult, and that we were the authors of it. We, of course, said nothing, and in a few minutes ho changed his tone and conversed with us as usual in a friendly manner. An old priest then approached tho pile of food.circling round it, at first at a cautious distance, but approaching nearer and nearer at each turn, and mumbling his prayers as he moved slowly alon'? When his "karakia" (charm) was completed, the suspected food was ordered to be burnt. riGHTIK-G* AVOIDED. The war party slept that night at Kai IwlJ half-way between AV'anganui and the Waitotara River, on which To Ihapuka stands. Major Richmond, Mr. Forsaith, and myself proceeded to the i pa, which wo spproached at sunset, just as the chapel bell was ringing for eyening prayers. Tho pa was much changed in appearance since my last visit, extensive fortifications 'having boon added after tho Native fashion, j formed of rows of upright stakes, cross- ! ed by longitudinal .bars of wood, the whole bound firmly together with nativo flax and supplejack. We were welcomed with the greatest cordiality by the Natives, and immediately invited to a general meeting, at which from 800 to 1000 armed men of tho Ngatiruanui and Ngatimaru tribes were present After the meeting Major Richmond, and I returned to meet the Tanpo party to lot them know that if they advanced to the pa we could not be 'answerable for the consequences. We met them on an open sandhill about four miles from the place, all crouching in the manner of a Native force waiting for the signal to attack. Mr. Forsaith made a short speech, explaining the' reasons of our return, upon which the old Chief To Heuheu rose and s;iid: "I kohi rangotira mai koutou" ("You have aef!ed like gentlemen in coming b;ick"), and then called upon his men to do honour to the pakcha. The whole body rose fired a salute, and danced their war dance; and iv a few minutes were in full retreat along the bench to \V:ingunui; and I thanked God that all danger of bloodshed was at an end. "A GOOD SCOLD." Tho rapidity of tho retreat made us suspect that some of tho young men ■intended to plunder the English settlement; the custom 'of all lighting parties in their return being to lay hands on everything that comes in (heir w»y. Major Richmond and I therefore walked ;is fast as we could after them, but without much probability or' overtaking them. On coming up with Tc lleuheu, who had slopped to rest on the road, we found that lie agreed with us^in our suspicion, and the old chief accordingly dispatched a special messenger to run on before to warn the English settlers of their return. On our way we fell in with my old acquaintance Ngawaka (whose sacred ear it had been my misfortune to offend), heavily dragging along his bulky person over tho dead .sandy beach, and looking as it' lie would have much preferred a seat in a canoe on