Looking Backward

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10392, 9 May 1927, Page 9 (Supplement)

Looking Backward

MU. FRANK HARRIS REVIEWS ; the early lays,;: THE OLD SETTLERS ANL'THEIR WAYS. I . STORIES GRAVE AND GAY. Son of Mr. E. F. Harris, and a ! grandson of Capt. J. W. Harris, the first, pakeha trader to. settle down in Gisborne, Mr. F. R, Harris is as well-known as the town clock and has attained an enviable reputation in respect of kind-heartedness, integnty and public spiritedness. None of the few survivors of the Verv early days of Poverty Bay is better acquainted with its history and none has a wider acquaintanceship amongst Mm old hands—Maori and jiakeha ahke. He is never happier than when enjoying a chat on the days , that are past, on the trials and tri--1 ’umphs of the pioneers, on the wonderful record of progress that has been achieved, and on the great possibilities of the district in relation to the future. To-day, Mr. Harris is living in retirement, after a lengthy period of strenuous application to : work of a variety of characters, | which culminated in his highly sue- ! cessful control, for many years of the Albion Club Hotel. But he’has still numerous interests to occupy his critical attention, including participation in the direction of va"ions companies, whilst, for recreation, he. continues actively to associate himself with his favorite pastime, the game of bowls. Mr. Harris was born in Napier on 1 February 2.6, 1858, and his parents camo to Gisborne in the following year. His father had a store a little way from Biggs’ Corner, hut, 1 three years later, the lure of gold

drew liim to that famous Otago goldfield, Gabriel’s Gally. Ere he left Mr. Harris senior sold sixty acres k around the store to Capt. Read at .Jfjhi' price of £2 per acre. Jncideutally. Mrs. Pearson, now living at To Karaka, who is a sister of the subject of this notice, was born at the homo of the U’Rren family at Makarakn, near where the railway station now stands. The I" Ren's property Was very large and had a very fine orchard and flower garden and was known as “Res eland.” Mr. Harris Unturned to Gisborne in 1873, five years after the Massacre. SETTLEMENT CREEPS OPT BACK Speaking of the early 70’s Mr. Harris told his interviewer that, at that time,' settlement was just creeping into the hack country. Mr. W. S. Green took up Okahutia, and was the most outlying settler in that direction. It was not until 1874 or 187,5 that Gisborne was linked up with Napier by telegraph and wild rumors got into circulation rather too frequently for the comfort ot the -then small community. In Pet, a very trivial incident wn ■: liable to create a very big scare. About that time, Te Kooti was sheltering in the King Country and, cve"y now and again, it would he bruited abroad that lie was about to make another descent on the district. The Johnson Bros, and Major Westrnpp had •a block of land extending from Te Arai to beyond Muriwai, taking in a large part of the fiat and all the front o? the hill country. There were .no settlers behind them. Years after, •William Teat and Duncan McKay took up that land which is now known as the Reav station. In turn, Mr. Parker, with his family, took up the Emerald Hills country, winch was, then, practically all hush. Numerous herds of wild cattle at that time roamed that particular country. Messrs. Barker and MacDonald had stations at Haiti and Pottnwa, but '•there was ro settlement behind them.

Subsequently thev also held the Whatanuoko block. On the Coast, sottlement was close to the sea and ~W hangara was held by Mr. Wallace, of Red I,ion Castle, England. On Ins return to Gisborne, Mr. Harris went to Opon station, then held by his uncle. Mr. Henry Harris, and the late John Ferguson. Ho walked out to the property with the late Dougald Ferguson. Eri route thev called in at the Roval Oak Hotel arid this! was his first introduction to a public house. The licensee was the late Aliok Hird--and little did he (Mr. Harris) then .dream that ho was personally destined to control, later on, one of the most important lu-tels in Poverty Bay—-the Albion Club Hotel—for no less a period than 17 years. Of those -who worked on Opou s+nt'nn in those clavs milv two -wore, to-day. alive— Mr. W. H. Cooper and himself. He reached Opou in the month of Oeto--bor and preparations were being mad? for shearing which was to commence in the following month. With the rest of the.staff, Mr. Harris was put. into the vards next day to dag the sheen and his previous notion that station life was Paradise at once faded out. However, lie worked on -'there for twelve years, part of the ■time for Mr. John'Clark, who, later, -took over the property.

PI7SHES IN THE EARLY DAYN

Mr. Harris went on to say that, in the. early 70's, there was d large - Native populatin'’ on the banks of Te Arai river. D started n-mr the Arai bridfire on tbe Opo" side and was called Tapatabi. P.'ivwhaitn.. was a bush of s<>me hundreds of acres. To-day. there remained. Hit a few scattered trees, principally knliikatea. A vear or two before bis ; . ' i. return ,to 'Gisborne.- -a fire bad; gone throuffli-a large portion of-'the bu'sh.v !•: •• ' arid. :"for years -' afterwards, -strong ./ winds would- nlav havoc -with '-totter-; -hm-"bints arid.’ as they fell, the noise ' w ; Heard for, _ miles around. ... i■. : i ANN.-:--.: -N-:. v./ .

, Not infrequently Natives had 'been lost in the Lush. Later on it was cut out by the late Mr. ' William King. Kie Kie thrived in abundance and it produced a delicious fruit, with two crops. In oldenbelays it was a case of woe betide anybody who touched the early crop. As a warning a rahui (embargo) was adopted. Vlt took the form of a pole with some kiekie wine at the fop and it was used there in 1873 for ■ the last time. There was also a bush next to Kupenga where the Dunlops lived called Meremere, It was principally tawa and was felled for firewood and was burned mostly by the of Gisborne. The late Mr. Knox had a large number of men carting and cutting. Whalsawa •was another fine white.pine bush; it adjoined Glencoe, Whatatuha, Rakuliaka and the flat on Paparatu had large patches of bush. Okanga,' too, had numerous clumps of kowhai, some 30 inches in diameter. This was all on Opou station. * To-day nothing was to be seen, of it. A .great part of the flat on Opou station from Rakukaka to Paparatu was a burnt forest. His- father had told him that in his young days it was all standing bush. On his ov.. i part he had seen •white' pine trees close on five feet through. No puriri was to be seen, with the exception of two trees, south of the Big River. Old Makauri had a. big forest of puriri, remnants of which were to be seen todsv. These were only a few- of the hushes—those known to himself. W' H might Cook say. when he view-, o.'l Poverty Bay from T’itirnngi, that j it was heavily timbered.

AN HISTORIC STATION. Continuing, Mr. Harris said that Opou station took its name from a small block of land containing about

60 acres. Opou was one of the most historical in the Bay. It was taken up in the early days by his grandfather, Capt. J. W. Harris. The first horses, cattle and sheep brought to the district were taken on to Opou. Such was also the case in respect of the first willow, oak and ash trees. Many cf the first fruit trees were also planted there. An oak was said in 1876 to be the largest in New Zealand. Kupenga, part of Opou in the early davs; was the home, of the Dunlop family. Te Kooti destroyed this home in 1868, the'family escaping, with others, through the bush to Mailin'. Mr. Harris remembered seeing the remains of the home, as well as those of other settlers which had been burnt out by the rebels. The once fine orchards and gardens had now gone. A few hundred yards beyond Dunlop's, on the banks of tlie Te Arai river, the Forest Rangers wore stationed and he understood that the embankments made by them were still in existence. They were disbanded about 1865. The pa at Tapatabi had left traditions of the great loyalty of its people. Assuredly, the timely warning given from the pa to the Harris family had robbed Te Kooti of many victims. The Europeans of to-dav should be reminded that many of the loyal Natives of Tapatabi inade great sacrifices on behalf of their white sisters and brothers. Tutere, for instance, was tomahawked, after refusing for a second-time, to tell the rebels which route the fugitives from the Massacre area had taken. On account of the loyalty of Henare Turanga, the British so'dier.s, after the fight at Paparatu, were saved. Te Kooti got between the soldiers and' Gisborne. Henare summed up the position well and led the pakehas by an unexpected track. Henare Turangn’s action was never fully recognised by the Government. Te Poti, his father, was killed by Te Kooti, because he refused to leave the pa. When threatened with death lie said: “I am old: I will die on the land.” Many of the descendants of Henare Turanga were still alive. Those who were taken prisoner by tbe Hauliaus lost their lives. In the circumstances, it was bard to find fault with Major Ropata, when he took such stern measures with all the rebels who had taken part in tlie Massacre and fell into bis hands.

CAPT. BEAD’S LUCKY PRESENTIMENT. According to Mr. Harris, lie found it hard to understand how the awful Massacre of 1868 was allowed to come about.' He had bad many conversations with survivors and the general opinion was that it should have, been realised,, after the fight at Paparatu, that Te Kooti, in accordance with Maori custom, would seek revenge. Some of tho settlers on the Flats knew that they were not safe and expected a raid. In conversation with him. the late Aliek Robb, father of Robert Robb, of this town, had said that, on the Sund.av previous to the Massacre, after church, ho had expressed, his fears to • his (Mr. Harris’) grandfather and others, but they had given him a poor hearing and he had not pressed his viewpoint, as he was afraid that _ he would he looked upon as an alarmist. He (Mr. Robb, senr.) went borne, however, far from satisfied. On tlie morning of the Massacre, Mr. Robb was liiclw to es-.one with bis wife and family +o Gisborne. At-the'time, i»b was living at New,stead,- -Makanaka". and.-as thev fled along tbe narrow track through tlie thick fearing that Hauliaus would emerge at any moment and destroy them, thev .could hear the rebels’ guns going off and seo tbe reflections in the sky from tbe burning homes ot-Matawhero.- - When -..at -hist ■thev-; • reached Gisborne -and/lmd; placed his loved ’ ones in safety no one . could un-derstand-Jipw relieved, lip was. :,: Mes-. srs. - Dodd a nd Pepperd,. wh6)had_ -Re- ? pongaere. hbot :resided/."near' Waeren- j

ga-a-hika Crossing, were, he had been fold, planting potatoes when they fell out with a Native who said, in the heat of his passion: “You may plant the potatoes, hut you will never eat them.” As far as he could gather, they were the first victims of the raid. Tims the Native’s words came true. Captain Read went out to his place at Mntawhero the night, before the Massa r re. When bed-time came, he said: “I do not feel safe here; I will return to Gisborne.” His luck was in. There were others who had their fears, hut would not show them. The authorities must have had something in their minds when they p'acod Lieut. Gascoigne and others in the To Arai Valley to keep watch.

WHAT IF TE FOOT! HAD ATTACKED GISBORNE?

Mr. Harris went on to say that an impossible task was sot Lieut. Gascoigne and a few men to protect such, a large extent of rough country and give warning to .such a large number of settlers. It was well-known that Te Jvooti had h’s spies jo and about oisbo-ne Wherever Lieut. Gascoigne placed his men their position would be known to To Kooti. In 1898 Mr. Harris slept on the place where Te Kooti camped five nights before he instituted the Massacre It was on a ridge above the R.uakituri river. There were still a number of Natives living in that locality who could sh°d row light oil the awful event. He knew that the late John Ferguson and others had thought that the then Government, that of Stafford, had been lax. If the State papers of that day could be brought from their p'geon-holes it would show who was ready responsible for the protection of the settlers. After the Massacre it was said that Major Biggs had to get the sanction of the Government even to allow the settlers to build a redoubt and go into it. -Too Alexander bau told him that when he get into Gisborne the autli'T.’ties had no arms to give him. It teas • hard to say wli.at might ov might not have happened if Te Kooti lied eho attacked Gisborne. A few of the followers of Te Kooti were still to be seen occasionally on the s+veets of G'shormand the old incident was buried.

A SPORTSMAN S PAR ADISE

Accordim* to Air. T-Ta''ris, Poverty Bay, in 1873. was an ideal spot for sportsmen. Pieeon.s and. Takas wore numerous. ’I ike mnnv others, ho wrts able to shoot them off Ids Imi-sc on his rounds on Opou. If be jimi to one side the off] mare would sunplv throw her hcacr to the other side. Twenty to th’rty pigeons were easily obtainable. Ducks were to lie found in large numbers in all the livers and creeks on the Flats. Awaouni was a great home R>r them. There were thousands in that locality. On Repongfiere Lake and Glencoe Lake it was very easy to get fifteen brace. From Harris' - bend on the Waimata river right up to its source ducks were .also plentiful. Right hack for many miles from Long Bush was heavy hush ' Many a coed hag was taken from G-Unrov. Pigs also wore plentiful on the front ranges. He had killed many from Long Bush onwards. Parakeets u«ed to come to he Flats in thousands. Their isit was .in. 1875.'. - Ppknkos ~,WP.y« , -"+if,d in the Patotr.hi swamps (and on the adjoining lands) in these days proh.ahlv 1000 acres in extent. To-day all this land is in grass.* .No wonder the Native came disappeared when it lost its feeding grounds!

THE “KING GFORGE” AND OTHER FLOODS.

There were, Air. Harris continued, many Natives in 1873 between Tapatalii and Muriwai at Owheta pa, Pakirikiri and Muriwai. The Natives cultivated on both sides of the present road to Pakirikiri. Mr. Horsfall had a store at that place and did a big business. There was a ferry at tlie mouth of Mhe Big River. The main traffic with Gisborne and the Muriwai district went that way. It was a short route, seeing that there were no bridges at Te Arai and Matawliero. There was an hotel at Muriwai which was burnt down one night when Mr. Tibbals was at Gisborne. His wife and daughter lost their lives. It was never satisfactorily explained how the fire originated and the fatalities; caused a" deep gloom over the district as the victims were very popular with the residents and the travelling public. In 1876 there was a flood winch was probably the biggest known in the last 50 or 60 years. BekrA" then there was a flood which was higher. It occurred in my father’s boyhood. Mr. Harris thought that flood was known to the Natives as “Victoria” as it happened early in her reign. One again prior to that was known as the “lying George” flood. It was said to have been higher than any other. Tradition, indeed, had it that it covered the Te Karaka Flats and that the deposit raised thorn many feet. The old Native?, in this regard, used to, call attention to the timber sticking out from the river hanks. Let us hope that Poverty Bay will never seo their likes again. VEHICLES OF BAST DAYS. A„s to the mode of cmvovance in tlie earliest days of settlement. Mr. Harris sVd that IPs mother told him that in 1859 she and his father were in the habit of making visits to neighbors on a sledgo drawn by two

horses. They had scats on the sledge •and coiibMcicu ic a very gay turn . out. Both liis sister, Mrs. Pearson -.! and himself would ' theik be infants. In 1873 .the spring cart was'in use pit was a onorhofse affair. Later oh came the double-seated buggy—a four wheeled vehicle.) Many of the old folks used to get into trouble with them by turning too short when the wheels would lock. They would have gone back to the old spring cart, but tho young folks would not let them. Mr. Harris, with a smile, said lie did not think he-was ever in a pram. Today he was rushed about in a motorcar. Sometimes lie thought l.e was' safer on tho sledge. The late Mr. Sievwright was the first man he ever saw on a velocipede. . They were not favored; they had a high front .viieei and a small one behind. Hi was sure, too, that the old gentleman never felt safe’upon it. Int liis .(Mr. Harris’) young days lie, used a horse or had to foot it. In 1873 the use of bullocks was at its height. All the j carting to and in the country was j done by these patient animals. With. j a good driver it was hard to stick j them. They would go practically j anywhere. Mr. E'weu Cameron, of j Toanga, had many fine teams; he was the Henry Ford of that day. AT DEATH’S DOOR. Amongst the “early birds,” Mr. Harris proceeded, wege some who had a knowledge of gold-mining and some who thought they did. The back country was little known and a great part had never been trodden by a white man. The “hopefuls” always reckoned that there was gold out back if it could only he found. Many little parties tried; and some came back full of confidence. The following incident had been told to him by the late Mr. Lachlan Mclntosh. 'He with a small party went out prospecting and to have a look at the country generally. They were having a smoke on a ridge after a strenuous climb when, just below them, they heard a peculiar sound. An argument followed as to what it was and they decided to investigate. They found a man who was at death’s door. Tic was only skin and bone and unconscious. They carried him into Ormond, whore he recovered. It appeared that he had lost himself and had been wandering about for some time.

JOY TURNED TO ANGER, Mr Harris said that on another occasion, a well-known prospector went out and brought in some likely-look-ing stone. Hi* took it to a blacksmith’s shop and put some of it in a mortar on a fire. After a while he suggested to the smith that they should go over to the pub and have a drink. Others present were invited to join in the shout. After a while the prospector suggested to tin* smith that they should go back, as the stone should ho sufficiently heated to stand crushing. After .the crushing took place, tho prospector became speechless with what met hm eyes. The mortar was full of yellow metal. He waved his hand to the blacksmith and called: “Come and have a look.” Immediately they shook hands and again adjourned to the pub and gave ont tile glad tidings. The old chap was looked upon ns a millionaire and tho conclusion •was reached that Gisborne was about to become one of the wealthiest and biggest cities in Australas’n. One “cocky” said he would straightaway iivreas-* his potato patch to several .acres; another threatened to double.

his pumpkin patch, whilst still another said that he would go In for tomato growing, as he and heard of diggers giving as much as four snillings lor a tomato! The j 1 J chap went 1101116 and put tho yellow stulf under a microscope and to other tests and to his astonishment lie found that it was simply brass filings. He immediately mounted his horse and went back to the smithy. YV hat lie told the smith—and in no soft- voice —-would be unprintable. A crowd then collected and began to sift the matter out. It was recollected that, when they adjourned to the pub, they had left a boy in the shop and it was decided to ask liim a question or two. But the bov could never be found.

A LEG WELL PULLED. With a laugh, Mr. Harris went on to say that, later on, he had had his ow r n leg well pulled. He was working at a shearing shed for the late Mr. John Ferguson at Lavenham when a Maori showed him a lump of quartz well studded with gold. On enquiring .where it had been found, the Native said: “I dare not tell you: the tribe -would kill me if I divulged the secret.” He had asked him to let him have it for a day or two and the Native said: “As you are one oF us, I will let you have it for that time. You are the only one I would allow to have possession of it.’’ Mr. Harris said that he could not get to Gisborne quick enough. He went to his old friend “Billy” Good and to’; 1 him. When he produced the specimen all other business was suspended and he got all the attention. “Billy,” on examining it under a micoscope, said that it had been tested before, for the acid marks were plainly visible. They parted. “B'llv” went to his customers and the narrator -went to the nearest pub. Since then “Billy,” lie had noticed, had come by* some good gold mines in the shape of valuable town sections ! THE MAORIS AND THE OIL QUEST Talking in respect of the explorations for oil in tbe district, Mr. Harris said that before 1868 some of the local explorers discovered the oil springs at Te Hau-o-te-Atua (“The Wind of the Gods). The Natives, however, wondered why they were making such a fuss over tho discovery. The"-' springs, they said, had been known to them for mnnv generations. In the 70’s a company whs formed to bore for oil and some Natives appeared on the scene, ennuiring’ the reason for all the work. Thevbwere fold that the. pakehas would, put down a pipe - . into V. the 'da,rtb;;(an(Ufi:onikit .'thousands pf_bavlels of oil would" come forth. ,An old patriarchal - Maori amongst tho visitors; shook Ids head nndfsaid : ‘.‘Palter . has I '■* Your work will 'fail." Listen to

mo and I will tell you why. lii ancient times Rongokako stood on Mahia peninsula. When you are on the kuipuke (ship) you will notice how flat the hill is (we call it Table Gape or hill). After looking round, he stepped across the sea and placed liis foot on Tapjiwai (a flat hill on the Const, this side of Whangara pa). As ho moved across the Bay, a. whale was spouting underneath him. He reached down and lifted him in his arms. On his next step the whale slipped out of liis arms and fell on the land, where you see the oil.” If many of us had taken the advice of the old chap, we would have been freed from many disappointments. Perhaps, my friend Mr. Dalton could estimate the whale’s dimensions I ELECTION OF FIRST COUNCffL. Tho candidates for the first election for the Borough were: -Stubbs, J. H.; Smith, Cnrlnw (elected); Nasmith, Matthew (elected) *. Ada-ms, Thus, (elected) ; Crawford, W. F., who become Mayor; Kelly, Richard; Loylan, By.;

Morgan; Ross; Brown, E. K. (elected); Warren, John; Teat (elected); Adair, Yvilliam (elected); Tutehen, Josiah; Clayton (elected); Cooper, Robert; Taylor, Brooke; Townley, John (elected); Best, Alas, tho majority of the above old townsmen are resting in their last sleep. Many of their descendants, are, however, -still with us. I do- not know if any of those old candidates are living. Some of them went to Australia, including Kol.lv, Brown and Stubbs. The “G.0.M.” Crawfo:cl rests iu Auckland cemetery. I think there should be one mo’c rn the Council, but I cannot place ldm, as fi iy j ears is along time- to test one’s memory. There are some amongst us v ha worked fur tlie first Council. Air. Thomas Saddler is one of them, hut there must be others, if they could otdy be found.

SETTLERS BEE ORE I SCO. On mv vet-urn to reside in Gisborne in Oetooer, 1873, the following are numbered among those whom 1 was closely in ton'll with: Richard Pc-ul-grainj who had arrived in 1840. a son William at Te Karaka (Richard Poulgrain died alter Captain Read) ; Tom U’Ren. who was living on the old family estate at. Makrraka (the railway station is on part of it, and it was called “Roselaud”’; Mr. 4111 d Mrs. Tnrr (1845). Mrs. Tarr lived to a great- age; John Harvey (1846);; Miami Mrs. Dunlop; Brown (grandfather of Mahaki Brown., now at Pulia); Rapt. Read : James Smith, who: lived near Awapuni, near the wool works; James Mac-key (father of Ra and Wi) ; and John U'llen, who was farming at Taurika (John and lorn U Itren were sons of the old pioneer).. The aboveall came to Poverty Bay before- 1860.. “THE FINANCIAL KING..” Ca.pt. Read was the financial king.. He owned the “Willows"’' and also- ai large area in the Makanri block and 600 acres at the Big bridge.. He graced a large number of cattle.. He was the biggest owner in cattle. He leased 1030 acres to D’e Moidry at- £1 peracre and lie sold many 10 and 20 acre sections around Matnwhera* and- Makanri at £2O per acre—he named! it “Mendelstrem” after the place where he was bom. He was: keen to get settlers on the land, as belaid it- was the only way to settle the Nativetroubles. He brought many workers from Auckland 111 the Tawera (Ca-pt. Joe Kennedy). Capt. Head was of peculiar temperament. You could make money under him, hut you could not- cross his grain. When you ruffled him, he was very fiery. He had many good points. Many of his employees worked the best part cf their lives for him and when he died he did not forget them. He was for many years the leading storekeeper. GOODS DUMPED INTO SEA. Mr. Horsfall started in opposition to Cap. Read at what is now Williams and Kettle’s corner, but Horsfall sold out to Graham and Kinross. This was the first hard opposition the old man ever had to face. Some of his right hand men later went into business on their own account. But Read

was cuto enough. to see that he was too old, to carry on and lie sold out to William Adair.. , Many of his old cli-

ents were sorry to see hint retire. 1 never knew the old chap'to advertise , cheap sales. Fashions did not change much those days! You must remember that steam communication with Wellington was once a fortnight and with Auckland only occasionally. The Tauera, a schooner (Joe Kennedy, r ca.pt.) carried most oi the trade that way in 1873. Two or three years later, the business system had changed considerably. I was told that goods C'apt. Head could not sell were put into the wool bales, placed in the Taivera, and thrown into the sea between .here and Auckland.

Head was a jolly old chap in his own way. One time he bought some flour in Auckland, where lie principally did his business. It was a bad spec. Ho sold a 1001 b bag to a Maori Later on, the Native told Head the flour was no good and wanted to return it. Head’s answer was, “I hau to stick to it and so will you.” Later on-, when the rye grass was coming in, one bag proved very heavy and it was emptied and out came the 1001 b bag of flour I When Head was told, he asked if the Maori had been paid. The answer was “Yes.” Some clays afterwards, Head met the Maori and told him that ho would have to refund the money. The answer was: “You tell mo I buy the flour (prower) and 1 have to keep it. I talk the same •to you!” This conversation would he in Maori and English. The old man took it as a good joke, but John Harvey got a lecture for taking delivery of heavy bags. HOW HEAD MISSED GETTING TRADUCER. There was another old chap that Read did business with for big amounts. They would settle accounts once a year, and a great day it was. You could hear them a good distance I off. High words were used on both sides but no blows were ever struck. At last, the client would come out, closely followed by the old man. The client’s parting olds' would be, “You will never got any more of my money” and Head’s: “You -will never get any credit from my store.” And thus they parted. This way of settling accounts had been going on for many years. That famous sire Tinducer was nearly bought by Head. He was asked at Auckland to go and see him. The price was very small. When the top door was opened, Tradueer rushed at Read, showing all his teeth. Head said, “We have enough mankillers' clown our way,” and would have nothing mere to do with him. This was just after the Massacre. Later on, the old horse’s stock was famous throughout N.Z. MADE MOST OF HIS MONEY AFTER MASSACRE. When Head retired from business, ho was living in Lvtton Hoad wlieie Mr. Barker now lives. He went in for breeding high-class sheep on land owned by him from Lvtton Read toStanley Hoad, all facing' Gladstone Hoad and Childers Hoad. It was in a very rough state and he cleared ana ploughed it, and planted maize and trees, some of which may be seen today. Hobt. W. Hockney was Ms foreman and be spent a heap of money on the property. He died there, his end being sudden, about 1876'. Hi’s funeral was the biggest ever seen in the district up to that time. He is buried in the family vault at To Aral, along with his brother Robert. His estate was- valued at £130.000. That was the amount on which the probate was paid on, at any rate. The great portion of his money was made from 1868 (after the Massacre). One night Read was having a convivial evening with some friends, my grandfather' amongst them, and lie was supposed to have said: “You see all the armed forces coming into the p'ace. The Government will have to spend a lot of money: now’s our time to get it. 1 will stick to business.” He was the only one that did so. . THE “SHIN PLASTERS.”

When the Government paid cut. the bulk of the money was taken by Joe Kennedy to Auckland. Capt. Read used*to issue paper money cf bis oivn. His notes were called “shin plasters” for why I do not know. I think thov were used until the Bank of N.Z. started. He was supposed to have made money with them. A lot of them would be burned' when Te Jvocti made the raid. He had a small steamer named after his wife. He also had a store where the freezing works stand' and vessels used to discharge into it. He also had another store where the band rotunda- is situated!. He used both these places for many years. Then again he had another store between the Albion Hotel and the river; this one was where he did liis business with the public-. He had no country branches and he liked everything in that line under his own, eve. THE' FAITHFUL NOKO. Captain Read was married' to a Native woman named Noku. I was at. Road’s house on two or three occa-

sion.s and Noko was always doing something.. She was a fine type pt* woman. Capt. Read’s apparel was always spotlessly clean, all due 1 should say, to his wile. Allien Read had had had turns of health, he always found Noko in close attendance; others would give him a wide berth as they used to say he was very irritable. Noko was a good wife to him. Capt. Read was the “King Pin” of Gisborne as far as business -was concerned. It would take the pen of a Charles Dickons to describe ban. The history of Gisborne cannot be written without giving him a prominent place. A STRANGE MEETING. The late Mr. Dunlop was a jolly old chap. 1 should Hunk ii would take a. lot to worry him. Jock Muir, before 1873, met him and hack a long look at him. Jock said: “AY ere you ever at lin Scotland ?” Dunlop said, “Yes.” Muir' added: “You used-to ride behind the hounds and I held vour horse for you and, you gave me two shillings.” Mr. Dunlop remembered'the event. I never heard of Mr. Dunlop being out of Gisborne after his arrival, at the tone of the Massacre. Tnrr was the man that worked the soil. He was a- typical old farmer. - I should think - lie had sprung from geperations who had tilled the soil. By all accounts, he grew big crops of wheat-., and for some of it he! must have got big" prices. It was shipped; to Australia! when the: gold fields were, booming. ; :.I ■only heard -of,: him being once out of ■the district; when,, hehad > look, pt

Auckland. He was for many yeans farming at Cpo«. Many oi her family were born there. Richard Peingrain, I believe, 1m l been a trader. Ho was a very old man on my arrival. William Brown lived at Makauri on a place called B own's Point. I would think he had been a ,seafaring man. FOUNDERS OF EMPIRE. James Mac-key—his .son wrs kiileu in the second Massacre—in the early days 'Was pit-sawing for my grandfather at Rakukaka. He was fond or a joke and could tell many stories oi the liavy. He kept the Terry at Gisborne for many years and lived to a great age. He lost a son in the Massacre while carry.ng dispatches. The lure of the city had no charms foi those old chaps. Poverty Bay was good enough for them and you would get a dressing down if yon a dd anything against the place. The took great exception to the changing of the name from “Turanga” to “Gisborne" and refused, for a long time, to say

“Gisborne.’ These were the founders of Poverty Bay. Their comrades murdered and homes burnt, and barely escaping with tlieir own lives, within a few days or weeks they were back again with their wives and children. They helped to build the Empire and keep the old flag flying. AN ABUNDANCE OF i-HUIT. Fruit grew in abundance. Peaches and app.es were found in many parts of the runs. There was a peace grove on Te Arai station, about half a mile long, on the bank of the river Te Arai in 1873. 1 don’t suppose the trees had been pruned ior eve knew nothing about fruit pests. The trees simply grew and great- was their yield. J’iiey had evidently started growing before the stock came into ■the country and delicious fruit it- was, equal to the inut one gets to-day. It was invaluable and anyone could help themselves. Although vve were isolated ,we enjoyed ourselves.

Dancing was all the go. but I could never manage it. Being too big, my feet got beyond control; ;no concertina was the pnucipai larv.ou instrumeut iu these cays ami uutui music it was. You won-a find some very fine playe. s in t iiese days on station. The station b.p * wniiUi have their dances in the wool-shod and this was the style of one M .C.—“ Hook your mutton!’’ “Turn to your partner. Tawbio! Now to Tommy's daughter! -Now to the giri vtth the blue dress on!” and so on. Tins was all to the strains of a concertina. Rater on, when the European mammas came to the back blocks of those -lays a different sort of M.C. was made use 01. Our refreshments were ic y light—a bucket of water with a few pannikins and you helped yoursek. mere wars no charge for adniittan.e. The conduct was of the best; if otherwise one was put out and later on he would, know all about it. The Natives havealways been fond of dancing and theEuropean modes of dancing appealed

to them. The songs o‘ tnUke days seem to bnvo line! a s ' v ■ ll - wmen. you do not have to-day. ! still remember two lines that vised to move us station rouseabo-uts: “ i ne. captain v.ith his whiskers- took a sly g’ancc at me, etc.” AVe would b -iiisr our bluchers down with great force until-, slie.rcfurhed. ,Tbe other one was sung by a gent .dressed ! to ' the : knocker, with; great force; “My Iwarr. vasin a fluty

ter when she Cupped across the gutter.” ct..-. These songs would get a greet hearing. ESCAPED THROUGH THE BUSH. The following, fugitives at che time of the Massacre escaped through the bush: Air and Mrs Henry Harris and laughter (both dead); John Ferguson Finlay Ferguson, Dugald Ferguson, (all deceased); Isabella Ferguson (now Airs. John Breingan, Bus!)mere); Bidgood. (deceased; he married' owe of the Tarr's); Robert Read, brother of G. F- Herd (buried .it j r Ami); William Green, son of W. S. Green (died at Auckland); Ala--o" Westrupp, in command (dead); '•'mia Arta (guide of the fugitives,' • ■<*acl.': Air. Bunion, Sent, (dead); Airs V',’. S. Green, wife of W. S. Green, ■ico Miss U’Ren (dead); John Wiliams Harris (dead) ; Woodbine Johni•other of l ady Maui Pomare and Mrs. Randall Sherratt). dead; Harry Ellis, a partner of Bidgood, who had a small business at- Tapatahi (dead); Airs-.. A. F. Hardy (wife of

Capt. Hardy), dead.. There was- a party ahead of these fugitives. VICTIMS OF SECOND. AIASSACRE. Liquor at Alaiawhero delayed- TeKooti. 'up, lather of Lady Carroll,, and Pleuai e 'I uraaga gave the alarm to my gi ancifatiic-r net ween 3 and I in. me- morning, i-inlay Ferguson was on an oat station beyond ivupenga. Jobn Ferguson brought him in and gave the alarm to the Dunlop family. Jho Harris and Ferguson families crossed the Arai river by a beat owned by R. Read and wanted to Tamilnuut pa. John and Finlay Ferguson folio a e*l with the horses. . Airs. Wyllie’s aunt- warned my uncle to go in, as there were enemies in the pa. Finiiiv i-ergumu, A lackey (brother of Ra. Mackey), Ha pi Kiniha’s son and.Gavvy Vyliie s brother were killed at Qpou on 12th December, 1-868.. John rttgiisou and others returned from Alahia to Gisborne. Major Westrupp. md Air. Widi.ine Jonuston were with

the party. H., .liarrisgv-uucL, Ferguson ioilowed late.-. H. .Harris and J., Ferguson le t r . Fergus mi and party on the date. lie. w ass killed. They lbde through the Oka.uuga bush. Te Kooli and his followers : saw tlicm and some of them pointed their guns to shoot them but’. Te Koeti forbade them to fire. Ho did nut. want to disclose his position to Colonel AMiitmo.e. who was leaving Gisborne with. Ids troops on the steamer Sturt. Lu.kily for tip? settlors, she struck a. rock and sprung a ;erk and had to return to the river. Colonel AV hit more followed Te Ivooti and iought him at Xaatapr.

BURIED TREASURE LOST. • Finlay - Ferguson., ok the morning of 1 tlie Massacre, buried In the old orchl ard a dressing ease: the secret of the plant, died. with. him. Many searches were made for It but it was never , found. It was an oak case, mounted iu sdver. It was said that the late R-.. BfeadL. before he left his home

on the morning of the Massacre, burs ed a. sum of money-which be wins never abl©.to locate again. He was, an o ! d man. An old hay mare (Jessie) in:ported from Sydney by my grandfather was stolen by the' Hauliaus. She returned to Open two years after: : tlie (raid, covered by rnanv J.-gands of ; -'. a large size. She lived many afterwards; She had prMgfhfy vljew at SYaikai-cmoana. , ' -