CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 979, 19 September 1868, Page 3

CHATHAM ISLANDS.

[EBOM OUE OWN COBItESPONDTSNT.]

August 10, 1868. The schooner Rifleman is now in Whangeroa taking in the cargo of cattle which were originally shipped by Mr. Walter Hood per the ill-fated Express. We regret to say that hitherto a chain of most unfortunate and vexatious events has proved very injurious to the interests of that persevering and indefatigable gentleman. In the early part of the year Mr. Walter Hood chartered the brigantine Express, for the purpose of conveying cattle from Pitt's Island to New Zealand. After most unfavorable weather, and a tedious probation of five weeks, the cattle were got aboard, and, almost immediately after, the vessel came to grief in Whangeroa harbour. The wool, &c, on board, was totally lost. He succeeded, however, in landing the cattle, which were depastured on the plains near Whangeroi, and left in charge of a trusty person, at a considerable weekly expenditure. In the interim he proceeded to New Zealand, and after some unavoidable delay succeeded in effecting a charter with the Hifleman. In this vessel, and with a . considerable amount of stock-in-trade, he again arrived at the Island ; and here another, and a more serious, misfortune befell him, in the seizure of vessel and cargo by Hauhau prisoners, and great personal violence to himself. Whilst hastening to guard the vessel, he was dragged from the boat and pinioned in the surf, which at times flowed completely over him, causing him to imbibe such copious draughts of the briny liquor that a donkey-engine would have piped to some tune in pumping him dry. Be it understood, he is no Maori linguist ; but in his great extremity, as an advancing wave was about to sweep over him, he gasped out, as if by inspiration. " Haeremai, Haeremai ! kanui te wai !" In reply to this appeal he was removed further up the beach, and deposited there, a mere wreck ashore, gasping, speechless, and water-logged. Eventually, however, he was consigned to the stone jug, in company with other unfortunates ; but, even under circumstances which might depress many a stout heart below zero, the well-known motto, nil desjperomdum, might be traced in every line of his face ; and after his liberation, surrounded by weeping women and wailing children, his well-timed cheerfulness and irresistible humour had a most salutary effect. He infused something of his own spirit into the melancholy group around him, and did more real and immediate good than a thousand homilies on the duty of submissive resignation. After pulling hard against the tide, he returns to New Zealand with his cargo, and we trust to a good market — a remunerative one is, of course, out of the question — profit must necessarily be involved in loss. He also returns with a fair, honest, and heavy claim for damages against a government which has proved anything but a paternal one in the care of its absent children.

The survey of the Chatham. Island by Mr. Ford, on behalf of the Maoris, will be completed in the course of a few weeks ; and we have much pleasure in sayiDg that his unwearied attention to professional duties during a most ungenial season has. elicited the warmest commendation from parties not easily satisfied ; and, by those who can appreciate genius, a most fortunate career for that gentleman is confidently and prophetically spoken of. The various native claimants here, anxious to avoid the expenses of litigation, have most wisely determined their respective boundaries amongst themselves, and each person's claim has been accurately defined; nothing therefore remains — but the fiat of the Commissioner.

In consequence of the recent loss of the Despatch, the departure of the Tapuangi Maoris for Taranaki has been vexatiously retarded. Another vessel, however, may be shortly expected, to fulfil the original charter. They are exceedingly anxious to reach their future home during the planting season. Since the escape of theHauhau prisoners the Waitangi Maoris have also decided upon leaving, and are at the present moment . negotiating for a vessel to convey them to Taranaki. True and loyal in their obedience to the Government, they were bitterly opposed to the Hauhaus, and all their tribe; and the feeling was returned with interest by the other party. It is true the animosity was never personal, yet the general feeling was uncontrollable, and our trusty Maoris view their escape with, the most intense feeling of disappointment and disgust. Indeed the pakeha, the pakeha government, and all connected with ifc, have fallen very considerably in their estimation : in the words of an influential chief, they are all " Porangi." Old blueskin is not far from the truth.

In the early part of July a sale of Hauhau hacks (the property of gentlemen absent without leave) was held at Waitangi. Prices ranged from ss. to 20s. per head, and the entire proceeds, £5 10s., was appropriated to the improvement of our pathways.

The two men Tofcara and Eeke, who incurred the enmity of the prisoners through information given against the Hauhau prophet Tekeati, and who narrowly escaped the fate of Warahi, proceeded in the Storm Bird to Wellington, and are exceedingly anxious for the honour of fighting for the Government in company with the Queen's loyal natives.

Some months since a half-witted Maori, who was sauntering along the beach in the vicinity of MountPatterson, discovered a five gallon keg washed upon the beach. Upon opening the keg it was found to contain cognac of finest quality ; thereupon the lucky finder of this treasure had indulged in such hearty swigs that the world seemed to spin round and assume a most joyous aspect. He managed, however, to sling the keg to his back, and with it proceeded to Tupuangi, a distance of five miles. He there retired into the bush, to have another quiet guzzle, and to conceal his treasure from prying eyes. Upon emerging from the bush to the beach, he was encountered by a Maori named Eihari — but better known by the name of " Sou-wester Jack." There is an old adage, " Catch a weazel asleep :" the thing is improbable ; but we do not admit the impossibility. With Jack, however, there is no mistake: for wakeful vigilance he would beat a Bristol man hollow. Perceiving the inebriate, who came corkscrewing his way along, Jack closely questioned him as to how and where ho had obtained the liquor. After great prevarication and denial, however, the man made a clean breast of it, and piloted Jack to the spot where the treasure was deposited. "Now," said Jack, "I demand duty for this, in the namo of the Queen." Tho poor drunkard at this stared wildly on him, and had just sufficient vitality to gasp out, " Itahore te moni ahau." " Then," said his tormentor, " I seize this in the name of the Queen." The miserable inebriate pleaded most pathetically, and with tears in his eyes ; but, alas ! Jack was as inexorable as adamant. He seized the keg and proceeded to the dwelling of the Customhouse officer, stating that he had found the keg, and wished to pay duty for its contents. Accordingly the measurement was ascertained, and the duty promptly paid to the officer, who was astonished and delighted at such an unusual proof of Maori honesty. Jack, however, soon

found a pakeha customer for the brandy, who gladly paid, him a fair market price for it. By this questionable transaction our Sou-wester friend realised a handsome bonus. An artful dodger is Jack ! In reference to this keg, it has occurred to us that it may have formed portion of the stores of some ill-fated vessel, and has been washed hither from the Auckland Islands. We believe the marks on the keg have been forwarded to the Custom-house authorities in New Zealand, and probably some light may be thrown on the matter.