Experiences of an Old Pioneer.

Manawatu Herald, 23 August 1894, Page 3

Experiences of an Old Pioneer.

(Continued.)

. TfKOUHLED STATE OF AFFAIRS. To give those who are not conversant with the state of affairs in the early days, during the fighting going on at Pahautanui, and in other jgarts,. I once wished to return t tolEe Manawatu from Wellington, of course the distance having to be done on foot, horses not being then introduced. I called upon a Mr Clarke, who held an appointment under "the Government as Native

Protector, to ascertain if I could return in safety, who advised me by no means to make the attempt. Whether wisely or otherwise, I acted on the contrary, and at once started oa my way, meeting with no obstruction until reaching Rauparaha's pah ?1; Taupo, near Pahautanui. My intention was to try and get into the Pukerua bush by dusk, so as to avoid being seen by the occupants of the pah, but I was observed by Rauparaha himself, who asked me where I was going to, and • • •'•->■»* that I on telling him, ne hjbu>««. .. should remain in his house for the night. He informed me that there were so many strange natives about to whom was I unknown that it was unsafe for me to proceed, as they might molest me. I had therefore, no alternative but to follow his advice. During the night I was much surprised when lying down and appearing to be sound a3leep, to notice Rangihaeta, who I have before mentioned, come into the tohare, and he inquired at once who the stranger was, and was told. They were together conversing all through the night, and he left before daylight in the morning. They appeared to me to be conferring together, and probably entering into some plan or plot for action. Had I not been known previously to them, it is very probable I should not have been treated in the manner I was.

Shortly after I returned to the Manawatu I sent two natives with a letter to Captain Sharpe, who was acting as my agent in Wellington, and on the natives being asked if the road was clear, he was told that it was tabooed at Bauparata's pah on learning which he made the natives go with him to see the Governor, Sir George Gray. The Bteamer Driver was immediately got ready, and with the natives on board, proceeded to Mana Island, a spot just off the Taupo pah. The marines and sailors were landed at night, the place surrounded, and Rauparaha, Hohepa and another leader captured. They were taken to Wellington and imprisoned on board H.M.S. Calliope, where they were kept during the continuance of the war, at the conclusion of which they were liberated. The natives during the Taranaki and Waikato wars and the Maori King movement apparently affected their once industrious habits, and tended greatly to lessen the hitherto large business done with them. Extensive credit was given to the natives upon their produce, which on account of the disturbances they were reluctant to pay.

EARTHQUAKES.

People at this time who are much alarmed at the slight shocks of earthquake now experienced, would be much astonished to know that they are nothing to be compared with two felt — one in 1848, and the second in 1855. The shock of 1848 was felt most severely in Wellington, which occassioned several deaths — amongst them Baron Alzdorf. The second one of 1855 is thought to be the heaviest known-— the severity of which is proved by the wreck and destruction that it left in chimneys and houses being knocked down. Great chasms were opened by the earthquake in many places in the Manawatu district. The earth continued to shake for weeks, gradually lessening. My house at Paiaka was totally destroyed, and I decided to remove my belongings to the Awahou, now called Foxton, where I h&£» remained up to the present t^w— -nearly forty years. some few years the late Mr Robinson and myself having children of an age requiring instruction, consulted together as to the means of obtaining it when the Rev. Mr Duncan kindly came to aid us in the matter. We made the necessary arrangements with him. I then bought a piece of ground from a late Chief (Ihakara Tukumaru) which is now the present school ground, paying and obtaining a receipt from him for £5. We also raised by subscription sufficient money to build a comfortable school house, which was utilised on Sunday for religious service. Thus we were much beholden to Mr Duncan, and felt most thankful to him, it being a time when other scattered populations were unable to obtain instruction.

(Concluded.)