UNKNOWN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 3 (Supplement)

UNKNOWN

WILLIAM LEE IIEES—IDEALIST

IT 13 TRIUMPHS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS.

(By Olio Who Know Him.) If by •‘Early Settler” we mean one who was in Gisborne in 1877, then .Mr. Rees lias no right to the title, .is lie first came here two years later, and even then might be classed as ‘■semi-detached.” because afterwards he moved to Auckland and then to Napier. In all, he spent over 25 years—a third of liis life—here, a longer, period than in any other district, and during those years his wonderful vision, enthusiasm, ability, untiring energy and warm affection for Poverty Bay accomplished much, so 1' at his name is indissolubly linked with the early history of this town.

HAPPY DAYS AT TE JIAPARA.

Every Gshornoitc of the ’Bo's probably, at some time or other, visited To Ha para, then the home of Mr. and Mrs. V/. L. Rees. Church fetes and epen-nir functions in aid of any good cause •were almost invariably held'in the garden. On these occasions, brakes, spring-tarts and cabs (a term which covered a. lew magnificent growlers and a fleet of high, narrow, closed-in waggonettes) raced lb rough a two-mile-long cloud of dust, conveying townspeople—often gratuitously—to the festivities. The garden gate was approached From Gladstone Road by a narrow avenue ;i quarter of :i mile long, a green tunnel between alternate _ willows and poplars, and careful driving was necossmy to avoid collisions, especially when it was a case ol four-in-hands mooting. Inside the second gate' the scene "Us gay and animated—booths lining the walks and drives; sometimes the band or an orchestra; tea-stalls; crowds visiting these attractions, strolling over the lawns or seated in the shady shrubberies; sometimes children’s sports or a costume cricket match, the air full of talking and laughter In the evening an openair concert—rows of seats facing the front verandah which served as a stage. SomeLTnos dancing on the tennis lawn: sometimes in one of the paddocks a great display of fireworks.

V FIREWORKS “TRAGEDY.”

The most spectacular pyrotechnic display was staged one night by V. G. Day and W. E. Alcroyd, then both recent arrivals from England. By

some mischance their careful plans went a-glcy, and. alter a quietly successful opening, the whom store ot fireworks got out of hand. Catherine Wheels circled madly. The Devil amoiigt the Tailors showered flames and sparks from a dozen different spots. Donum.Candles blazed green, pm pie and crimson. Squibs and crackers exploded under the feet and in the faces of the crowd. The air was full of colored streamers and showers of stars—a regular Aurora. The first outburst was greeted enthusiastically. The show was beyond anything ever seen' before. But when the rockets began banging and shooting wildly just over their heads or sending fiery snakes through the long, drv grass, the spectators" turned and rah for their lives. Women fainted and children howled with fright. Fortunately no-one was hurt. The only tragedv was that the fireworks wero all burnt out in that lurid ten minutes. r To Hapara garden, the morning alter a fete, was a sorry sight, strewn with torn paper wrappings, empty bottles (loosing as rakish as if they < had held Falernian instead of lemon- ' ado and raspberry vinegar), overturned bonejies and trestle tables. Flower-beds were trampled down, arbours broken, and—horror of horrors tiie tenins lawn! Instead of smooth i green turf, a sandy waste hearing eruptions ol stubble and torn-up * roots! . Mr. and Mrs. Beet were garden lovers. Thev quailed before the mute reproach of‘the green things which had trusted them. They vowed “Never again.” and Mrs. Boos might upbraid her husband for being too ready to consent to such a sacrifice and exact a promise that it should net happen again. And then —next ti,nc._she herself would give permis--5,0,1‘ MIS LOVE OF SFOIVR Cricketers throughout the district and visiting teams played their matin one of the paddocks where ••W.'L.” laid down pn excellent pitcli ami a verv fair fielding ground, levid ling. turfing, watering, rolling incessantly, early and late, with the help of' his three young sons, Lm- . coin, Arthur and Ted—the last bave,lv in bis teens. Tennis flourished vigorously, four courts being all in demand when forty or fifty players assembled. One of the most exuberantly happy gatherings was when Mr and Airs Bee's invited all the school children and then, hating invidious distinctions. extended the invitation to anv children. Games, a programme • of‘sports with attractive prizes; an open-air feast with liquid refreshments—mostly pink—cakes and fruit galore—surely the memory of the party will be cherished by some of those children of over forty years - ago. -

"OF CRICKET.

As this sketch is concerned chiefly with Gisborne and only subordinately with Mr Rees, the facts of nis hie elsewhere must be touched on as briefly as possible. These stand recorded in many books of reference. His birth, in Bristol in 1836; his mother widowed two years later; DrRees’s practice taken over by his brother-in-law, Dr. Grace, father of “W.G.”, “G.K.”, and “E.M.”, the Three Graces of the cricketing world ; the indelible impression made on the young lad’s sympathetic heart liy the ’ terrible scenes witnessed in Ireland during the potato famine ol 1847-8; his voyage to Victoria two years later to join two older i rolliers, one by that time a fully qualified medical practitioner; with them building a slab hut for ‘mother and sister,"getting any work that offered on goldfield or sheep-run ; supporting himself and helping others;, tramping ' immense distances, swimming flooded rivers; at one time earning £1 a day carting logs on a Government contract; attending Melbourne University, reading, writing, debating; articled to solicitors; reading for the Bar; playing lor Victoria against Aou l South Wales in the first intercolonial cricket match, while two cousins, TV. G. Rees (Inter to give liis name to river and vallov in Central Otago) and G. Gilbert played for New South Wales; under the influence of some- earnest kindly Congregatiomdists deciding that Ids gift ol public speaking ought to be dedicated to evangelisation, throwing up his articles and becoming a Congregational minister, publishing essays, pamphlets and his first novel; Ids da vs were not monotonous.

Tn 1803 he married the daughter of Mr Opie Staite. Air and Mrs Rees met for the first time in Melbourne, though horn in the same Square in Bristol. Shortly after Ids marriage,

Mr Rees resumed his law studies and was called to the Victorian Bar in 1805. Briefed for a New Zealand case, lie came to the South Island in 1836, and, after passing a more or less foim l .! c.:mu nee, ;—.-i- hr.ov he could appear in this Court, he was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme" Court of New Zealand by Mr Justice Chapman, father of Sir Frederick Chapman.

HECTIC DAYS ON THE WEST COAST.

Those were the first hectic days of the rush to the newly discovered goldfields of the West Coast. Strong persuasion was offered to the Victorian Barrister to go there. Probably be needed little urging. Shortly we find him moving his household, consisting of mother and sister, as well as wife and two bairns, to Hokitika. Three exciting years followed. Events moved with dramatic? swiftness. People made sudden fortunes—-were as suddenly beggared. Untimely death lurked on the reek-strewn ocast with its dangerous har-harbors. and its encroaching ocean ; in the swift floods in the Henley and other mountain torrents which bad to be ferried by travellers; at the bands of bushrangers hidden in (lie lor'.st n'ong file course of the Puller, the only track to Nelson ; in the hasty quarrels of tlie diggers; in the threatened clash between F'enians and Orangemen.

Fortunately, the last danger was averted ; hut buildings were burned, a great procession organised in honor of the victims of the “Manchester Murders” and’ a cross erected to their memory in the cemetery, guarded night,and. dav by an armed body of the malcontents. On the other side, most of the loyalists were enrolled as special constables and patrolled the streets every night. Orangemen threatened to cut down the rebel cross in spite of the guard. And cut down it was one wild night when the guard had sought temporary shelter.

GREAT FRIEND OF STB GEORGE GREY.

A great rush of 1 lisiness was being dealt' with in Air Rees’s office with its large staff. And in the course of his work he was more or less connected with all thee excitements. Elected to the Westland County Council, he threw himself heart and soul n:tc the work of furthering the internnt of the district. But the radiance ol the future was clouding over. I'conic began to dirft away. Air Rees’s sister married Ah’ E. Iv. Tyler. His mother died. The money which had poured into the office had been lavished in the development of worthless claims. Another move was decided on and in 1869 the family moved to Auckland. Stepping ot once into a good practice, briefed in every important case,

Auckland Provincial Council, later appointed Provincial Solicitor, Mr. Bees was brought into intimate relationship with Sir George Grey. A woodenul friendship sprang up between the two idealists. On the abolition of the Provinces in 1876, Mr Rees was elected to Parliament as the Member for Auckland City East, j About this time he wrote “Sir Gilbert Leigh,” a novel dealing with the Indian Mutiny and also with some of bis own experiences in Australia, His successes in Supreme Court, especially in the George .Tones Jnr. libel case at Oamaru, and bis celebrated speech of twenty-four hours in the House, successfuly outmanoeuvring tiie surprise tactics ol the other side, made him well-known throughout New Zealand. BATTLING WITH BAFFLING j NATIVE LAWS. Influenced by Sir G. Grey’s desire that he should guard the rights of the Natives in disputed titles to land, he moved to Napier in 1878 and shortly afterwards, in pursuance of the same course, settled in Gisborne. The Native Land Laws were a mass of baffling restrictions preventing open and legitimate dealings, while giving cover in their technicalities and imbiguities to fraud, hard to Tring to light and prove. Only a man of great courage and most sanguine disposition could have flung himself almost alone into a threefold fight against the European owners of lands unjustly acquired, against Natives who wanted to repudiate perfectly fair contracts and against the contradictions and delays ot the Statute Law. His object was to benefit botli pakehn and -Maori. But, as usual in such cases, he was often regarded with suspicion and alarm by both parties. By amicable compromise, also, he often end cel ruinous litigation to mutual benefit.

“IREICS'S FOLLY.”

]» 1883 ho arranged a friendly .settlement of disputed titles between tile original Native owners of the \\ liptaupoko block and air. I’. Barker, who had purchased most of the interests in it, 1 lit could get no iinality and no sure title in tl e Courts .Mr. Barker re-sold a part ol the estate for a ea -h payment ami an indefeasible title to the interests he retained. Then tiie suburb 01 AVhat-.’.u-p,:ko, so popular to-day, was surveyed, subdivided, loaded and thrown open lor settlement. But the loom authorities Had little des.ro. ami.perhaps no money, to build a bridge, so APr. I’ees realising that one was

indispensable, spanned the river at Peel Stre.t. He persuaded the Natives to provide some of ihe funds, but had eventually to contribute a great part, of the cost out of lbs own p i'ket The bridge (known as “Rees's Folly”—the public wondering ! bow lie c«.m I*l exoret anyone to make

a home among the thick manuka, s> i air from the Post Office) was for | years only wide enough h r cue vchi ic ! e from hank to bank. Later, the I cutbci'tics widened it on both sides jof the middie s’.vng. When the prosj ent splendid bridge replaced it. the { excellent state of prose:vat'on of the t piles and other timber ‘ caused surprise.' Besides many beneficial arrange-

ments similar to that of the AA liatnupoko block, local settlers had also cause to thank Air. llees for urging on the legislation by which they were able to convert their leaseholds into freehold titles.

For years he advocated a simpler manner of dealing with Native lands through a system of committees. He continually urged that a Commission should be set lip to consider the whole question and take evidence throughout the North Island. Eventually, in 1891, the Commission was decided on. with Air. Rees as chairman, and Air. (later. Sir James) Carroll as a member. The report of the Commission was a valuable contribution towards the proper understanding of the need for reform.

AIR, REES A STRONG OUTER HARBORITE

From the first Air. Rees strongi.v advocated the construction of an outer harbor. One of the prime movers in peti’iig Sir John Coode and other eminent marine engineers to visit Oishorn- and report, he was eager to see tlic plan on which they were practically unanimous—a breakwatt. on the reef running out from Iviii ti—adopted and put in hand. He appealed to the public by letters in the newspapers, occasionally by leading articles, by private letters and conversation, and at all gatherings. Backed bv a few sympathetic enthusiasts, he would engage a hall, advertise a meeting, and try and make

.itmiamc -see toe vision ueiore ins Una. oi Gisborne not many years later with;’ cargo ships lying at her v, liar, es, prosperous exceedingly—the fui.ii c-iy in -Sew Zealand. PRIME MOVER FOR GRANT OF TAUWH AR EI * A RA E. | .Surely I am not the only person alive to-eay wiio remembers those meetings—political, too, some of them, for .Mr. Rees unsuccessfully stood for Parliament—perhaps McFarlane’s Hall with its histone notices round the walls "Smoking. Chewing and Dogs arc* Disallowed ; perhaps ji little up-country room where sntuk.ng was not ec and where through the b lie haze, one might see persistent hecklers bei lug hustled out by stalwarts anixous i thear—or even a stout interrupter ' rolled on the floor and used as a sofa i v a c :up'e o‘ s-lf-Mm stunted guard-I-f 11 ■, of lp/w and i rd.-*r placidly smoking and j.tern'y forbidding even groaus from their victim. One question seemed invariably to suggest itself to the audience: "Mho'S going to pav for the hall?" The lecturer would* loftily dismiss the triviality and proceed with Irs prophetic rnap.vjuv. Incredible a.s it seems. Air. ]{ e- and a few kindred spirits so fired the community with their zeal that that handlui of people—perhaps noc numbering as many hundreds as v their are thousands here to-day—de-cided to take upon their shoulders a liabdity of £200.000 and build tlio harbor on Sir John Goode's plan. Determined to get the harbor, it -was strange that the public never succeeded in electing a Harbor Board prepared to carry out the public wish, f have been told that Mr. Rees was the prime mover - in securing ove;- 4-i,COO acres o' land at Tauwhaivparae as a .Crown grant lor the endowment of the Gisborne harbor. But I have no evidence of the fact.

The block was recommended by CoiI'ortcr, applied fur in the House by Allan -Mcßei'ah-1, member for the district. supported and voted for by all Mr. Iter.-’ friends in Parliament. But whoever moved iu the matter, the Harbor Board certainly did not. Air. AllcD.u.aid’s a.'k. ortlsrinent of intention to apply for the endowment was brought under the not.'.e of the Board hv one of the Board members in A! ay, 13'>3, cm! \r evoked an amusing discus don. “T 1 . be e was it?” "Was it o any value?” “Should thov send a letter to Air. Ale Donald app"oving of li s action?’ LitimateIthey decided that endowments ol J-i (!;!J acres worn not likely to fall from the sides ever; - day and that they would- vi- t.' approving of tile roj)!ieation,,i Tdntil lately. Gishornc-it’i-s have tv.i T no inirh-r rates, thanks to the rentals from T:\uwh a reparae.

AN CNIyNBECTED SEQUEL.

In 1884. '.The Gisborne Harbor ''am! Empower'i-.g Bill, drafted by MV. Rees and c-immended bv him to 8 : r G. Grev am! oilier friends in the ! louse, v as i) eseut' d bv tile member IVr tlie d’stfiet and became law. It sanctioned the raising of £200,000 for the building <>" “a deep sea har-b-r.” "a lie:’aw for ocean-going vessels." That right there was rejoicing in this tcu'n. Its usually dark streets were illuminated, and the

wish of the people to have an outer harbor seemed as good as fulfilled. But the Harbor Board used, the mon-

cy tor improvements ( !) to the rrve.. Later, no fewer than seven Amending Acts had to be passed in about the same number of years to enable them to continue to use the money which had been granted for a different purpose. The unexpected sequel was a bitter blow to Mr. Rees, but he took it as a temporary check, not checkmate, and until he died continued his agitation for an outer harbor on the site chosen by Sir John Coode and approved by nearly every marine engineer since.

In 1883, -on the invitation of AA'ahanui, Mr. Rees and Captain Tucker visited him in the jealously guarded King Country to discuss the position of the Native lands.

A STORM CENTRE AT APIA.

In ISS6. briefed by Mr. Percy Alacarthur, Air. Rees went to Samoa. Tie won his case in which immensely valuable interests were at stake. But during the only ten days he ever spent in Apia he became the stormcentre of events of world-wide interest. Samoa was at that time under the joint protection of England, the United States and Germany. The last, however, asserted its dominance. The German flag had been flying for eighteen months instead of King Malietoa’s, and when Mr. Rees reached Samoa the one topic of conversation was the presence of the German fleet .rumored to have papers of annexation.

A party of rebel natives, were being feted and visited by Admiral and oificers, the flagship’s , band playing ashore while Admiral Knorr dined with Tamasese the rebel leader. On the following .Monday morning, said rumor, the rebels would come into Apia harbor, receive last instructions from the German ships, land, loot, sack and burn, and then the Admiral, in the name of law and order, would annex the group.

GERMANS GLIDE OUT OF HARBOR.

Malietoa carne to consult Air. Rees, who vainly implored the British Consul to intervene to save British lives and property. He stud'ed the agreements of the three powers guaranteeing the protection of Samoa. In that of the United States was a clause not found in those of the other two—that, in the event of threatened hostilities, the United States would use its good offices to avert attack. Under this, be persuaded the American Consul most reluctantly to hoist Malietoa’s flag under the Stars and Stripes, and to inform Dr. Steubel. the German Consul, and Admiral Knorr that Iv'ng Malietoa was under the protection of the United States. TJie German replies to these communications, as well as to Alabina s announcement of the facts and his assertion of his rights, were not merely strong: they wore violent. The rejoinders of Air. Greonobnum and of Alalieton (as anvone, acquainted with “AY.L.” might expect) were also strong and extremely pithy and trenchant.

Then, on Monday morning, the war e.inocs of the rebels swept into Apia harbor, went to the flagship for instructions and were ordered back to their camp. The German ships were hoisting anchor and preparing to leave when the Diamond’s guns wore heard, saluting the Admiral’s flag. As the English ship came in the Germans glided out.. There was I easting and laughter in Apia that night.

A REAIARKABLE PROPHECY.

In 1888. Afr. Roes, on his wpy to England, visited Washington and was received I>v tlio President, but founu that Germany had gained later by diplomacy what for the moment had been snatched from her grasp. In London he learned that England h a « withdrawn entirely from Samoa. lie wrote the whole dramatic story for the Nineteenth Century (Nov--1888) ending with a remarkable prophecy that, ~ when the Great Alai came', the broken pledge of Gorman.) to a Native King would meet with just retribution, and that the nation would have bitter cause to regret the leadership of the Kaiser, then newlycrowned and seemingly with a bill limit future before him. 't he article closes with the words ‘‘M lien that da y conies, Alalietoa and Samoa will ho’ avenged.” It was .strange that the first German possession lost m the Great AA’ar should be Samoa, taken by our New Zealand Expeditionary Force belore the end ol August 19)4.

CO-OPERATIVE COLONISATION.

Air. Poos’ mission to England was to try to turn into fact a splendid vision of his mind. He and AA i Pore wore entrusted with a quarter of a million acres of land in this district on which it was hoped to settle two or three .thousand families from Great Britain, on the principle ot what is now called “Group Settlement,” but which Mr. Pees, its first apostle, called “Co-operative Colonisation.” The money for such an Imperial project could well be expected from the Imperial Parliament. Payments for the use ot land, for services, and for the use of money respectively would be made partly in cash and partly in shares in the Company. -Mr.' Rees also hoped to establish business relations with the English a nd Scottish "Wholesale Cooperative Societies and to open direct markets between producing shareholders out here and purchasing shareholders in the Homeland, and so escape the menace of the trusts. Mr. Rees and AVi Pere went 1u London, Wi Pere being much perturbed when lie saw the shipping in tiie Channel, by the thought that all the people in England were going away, just when lie and Mr. Rees had come so far to speak to them! Petitions from p a kehas and Maoris were presented to the House. The big world listened eagerly to Mr. Rees’ facts, theories and plans. Cabinet Ministers gave him attentive hearings. . The House of Commons discussed the propositions. Several hundred crofter families were likely to be nominated and assisted by tlie owner of the Island of Lews. The British and Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Societies invite<r Air. Rees to explain his proposals.

GREAT INTEREST IN THE SCHEAIE.

A 1110-t influential committee, including Lord Onslow l , the Earl of Aberdeen and fifteen or twenty equally well-known men and women, with the Marquis of 'Lome as chairman,, was set up to help Air. Rees in London. His bool; on economics “From Poverty to Plenty” brought his mission still more prominently forward. He took an office at Westminster. Requests for lectures came from the most diverse quarters. One day he would address the leaders of thought or society, the next, perhaps a Radical Club in the Alile-end Road, a country debating society, or a vege-tr-an dinner-party. He attended the meeting of the British Association at Bath and read a paper on ‘Economics’ which aroused considerable interest. The newspapers throughout England reported every fresh stop taken in hi- campaign and the New Zealand • !?'-= published frequent cables about :';e interest 1” was arousing.

OPPOSITION TOO STRONG.

Pa- wVio all this encouragement wv-. bc'c-v received there was also hurt;. at;! 1 ce-vruned opposition. Anony-rrods'-ietrt'rs appeared in the papers, attacking Mr. Rees and declaring that the writers knew the land in question to bo worthless, and that

settlers on it would starve. Air. Rees fought on. beheving de.eat impossible. But the opposition was toe strong and the Government (teelineir to consider the matter further. lin blow, coming aii.r the strain ana hard worn, was very severe, and Air. Rees looked ten years olcLr on its return to New Zealand in 1889. n.> own affairs bad been nogini-ted (except so tar as they were bound u. with bis woi •: for the communi:.. which had .ailed) and he los: Ti Ha para. Leaving Gisborne ami making .bis home in Auckland, be aas returned again to Parliament h r bis old seat He was soon chosen as Chairman o! Comm.ttees in Lhe House of Representatives. His work in 1891 on. the Native Land Laws Coiniiiis.- ion It > been already noticed. In IS9J the

•‘Life and Times of Sir George Grey" was published. This was almosi a" autobiography, for Air Rees and Its eldest daughter who collaborated with him. living near '■Hr George wore al:!“ to sud-nik each chapter to him for verifi-rtion or amendment o' the Inois stated, and to have access to bis letters and documents. The year 1893 found Mr. Rees again engaged in fic'ce pol.tical controversy. He (barged Air. Caumat.. the Native .Minister. w : tli .acquiring lands from Maoris while in office throwing down a challenge in tlnHouse of Representet’vos that if Air. Cndmu’i would resign Its suit Inwould do tlie same and test the feeling of Mr. Cadman's stitucuts by standing against him in bis own 0100-

torate. Rees was defeated by a small majority and then had to defend a l.bel action on his charges The jurv found him technically guilty and assessed the damages at one farthing. Jn 1804 be returned to Gisborne and did not leave it again until his death in 19:2. except for short per - io'ds and a mvro extended vis.t England to conduct appeals to the Privv Council.

AIRS. REES’ AIODILYING INFLUENCE.

Tins account, though not often mentioning Asr.s. Rees by name, is the storv' of her life from 1563 to 1912, as "she was associated with all her husband’s activities, frequently modifying his extravagance of thought, anti showing a . greater masierv of deted ‘ than he. After ' his denm. a vr-er before thev yen hi have celebrated their golden •wedding, her life seemed over, but as the mouths passed her affection for young peqp'c end flowers and growing things kept up bei interest in life, almost, as it were against lie: - wdl. Six years lntei. she passed nvmv from a small world that loved her dearly.

j n many ot the causes dear to hi,-, heal t amt tor which he worked mi-ni-.ugly. Air. Bees met with l.ttie or i.o success But Ids failures were partly too result <.«• ms over-sangu.i.e disposition which saw a tree in lull iruit when lie planted a seeding, and partly uue to me tact that he was a century beiore his time.

l-'or the ’vorlil at large, he wanted perkx-t inuustm l cj-ooer.tt:on bringing commercial aiul national peace. I‘or the Empire he wanted co-oper-ative colonisation, a peopling ol too cn.pt;, spaces nitli pre-perous happv citizens, ror New Zealand se .-.acted, j ist mws, a great iniure, libert'. a i:d p.ogivs.i not merely m v-e.-iltii but in ideals, knowledge and vision. For Gisborne, h-. sales the aims already referred to, be wanted la go parks and playing fields. 11*-O'.-i Sliacled the Native? owners to idle] one Itundred acres if-Eat! Hill io the Boicugh Council at CIO an aero and ii ty acre's Ou the A\ aikanae, near Chdders Road. :it -C-50 an acre to tin l Sports Associat.on—though that m iv not liavc b; on the' name ol the guardians ot games ol tin* day. Neither offer' was : cceptcd. In later vea s. he wanted the i w tiers of hush sections to get the value of their Limber instead of being forced to burn it; the owners of -quarries to find a market for their metal; the local Councils to have stone fer their roads ami the liaihor of Ids dreams : and he formed a pain hv which these parties could work together to mutu.ai advantage.

SIR FRANCIS BELL’S TRIBUTE.

For himself, he wanted to give happiness, to plan great things, and help to carry l.ioin out (in winch last attempt he* beggared himself more than once), ami to leave the world better than ho found it. He was utterly lacking in the chief virtue el the eommeic’nl world. He bed no money sense. \\ ith till bis influence among the Alaeris and his opportunities to enrich himself, he never accepted land or gilts from them. A prodigal giver, oiten in financial difficulties himself, he. could make tortunes for ethers hilt u hen lie earned a hundred guineas on a brief he would visualise a £3OO plan of. getting rid of it. Alost kindly yet a horn fighter; often impatient of a habit of thought or n standard lower than his own, he was greatly loved, by munv and disliked and feared by a ' few. Perhaps his most outstanding ti-a't was that voiced by Sir IVI: “One of the most unselfish and public-spirited men I have ever known.”

The Park '•neecmi so was formal’v opened on Nov. o. 1889. It is recorded that, at The opening races at the Park the turn of £'l3oo passed through the “tote.”

In October, 1890, the death was reported -tom \> m:i.aio oi ie Kooti’s mother, an ohi Alaor. v.oimui named Herd. Tims the •uism.nie standard’: "she was the mother ot tuc notorious To lvooti, whose nanfe is lieai in Povc'rty Bay as synonyn.ous wuii all that is evil. The woman had a strange motherly iuiatuation lor the former rebel and u.-us su persistent in her praises of what she themed his good deeds that she had for years become regarded as almost a:i outcast, it being no uncommon thing for her to have to sleep out in the open air amongst the hrm.r and scrub and submit to many hardships whicli she might- have os. aped by not boring and disgusting the other Natives with her praises of To lvooti. Her age was supposed to be Vs) years. The taiigi usual on the death of part'ell lnr Natives will not he troubled about in the case c'd pour old lion;.'’

It was at AYiinreongncnga that To Kooti first informed his followers that lie was the Maori A loses acting under Divine guidance to lead them ! out of tho house o': bondage. Tlio hill leading up from the southern extremity lie ended Ait. Moriah and tlu? tnhbts of the new law lie (minted cultto his hand as two shelving papa reefs nrotnidiug from the summit of the hill, saying that it was decreed that when he and they had subdued Now Zealand, ho was to touch these io ks with .Aaron’s wand and tlio newt revelation would spring from the earth.