DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1045, 19 September 1911, Page 3

DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN.

HENRY BURLING, AGED rro.

Mr Henry Burling, the Wakanae centenarian, died on Sunday afternoon, at the residence of his son. Deceased suffered for about five weeks from bronchitis and paralytic stroke. He was said to have reached the unusual age ol no years, and had lived under five sovereigns, beginning with George IV. He remembered incidents of the Battle of Waterloo, and was a married man past 30 years when Wellington was founded. He is survived by thirteen children.

Mr Henry Burling was born at Stratford, Essex, England, on May Ist, 1801. As a young man he followed the occupation of silk and satin printer at his native town. In the year 1841, together with his wife and family, Mr Burling came to New Zealand, sailing from Loudon in the ship Big London. After some little time spent in and about Wellington, Mr Burling purchased a piece of land, which was situated in what is now known as Wadestowu. Mr Burling assisted the survey party to cut the road through the Hutt to the Wairarapa. Later on he settled down at Featherston, where he remained for many years. For a considerable time he was engaged in driving stock between the Wairarapa and Wellington, when there were no roads. At Featherston Mr Burling followed farming pursuits till old age compelled him to take life more quietly. He came to live at Waikanae, with his sou Mr A. Burling, in 1905. Mr Burliug’s wife died in August, 1864, at Featherston. Mr and Mrs Burling had seven children, five sous and two daughters, of whom only three —two sons and one daughter—are now alive. The eldest sou died, but the second son, Mr Heury Burling, jun., resides iu the Wairarapa, and is now 86 years. The other son living is Mr Arthur Burling, iu his 73rd year, who lives with his father at Waikanae. The only daughter living is Mrs Sarah Gooding, 69 years of age, who lives iu the Wairarapa. All the centenarian’s children have large families, while their numerous children iu turn have a great many children also. A careful computation, made recently, shows that he had 600 direct decendants living. Mr Burling had the unique privilege of living under no less than six reigning British sovereigns. He was about 19 years of age when King George 111. died and well remembered the reigns of George IV. and William IV. (the Sailor King). He saw the late Queen Victoria many times during the early part of her reign, and was an interested spectator during the celebration of her coronation.

Mr Burling played an active part in the early settlement of New Zealand, and was a splendid specimen of the stalwart pioneers who did so much for the Dominion. For some very considerable time, before the days of roads, and when railways were undreamed of in New Zealand, Mr Burling carried the mails on foot between Wellington and Wanganui. When we consider the state of the country in those very early days, the dense bush that abounded everywhere, the lack of roads or proper tracks, and most important ot all, the fact that at this time the Maoris were almost continuously at war, it will be seen that it needed a man of grit, resource and great physical strength to occupy such a position as that of mail can ier. Mr Burling could relate several thrilling incidents which occurred during those daring journeys, when he literally carried his life in his hands. The journey from Wellington to Wanganui and back occupied, approximately, a fortnight. On coming to the numerous streams, which were ofttimes in flood, Mr Burling used to take off his clothes, tie them in a bundle round his neck, together with the mails, and then swim the rivers. He could at that time walk 40 to 50 miles a day in goodcountry aud think nothing of it. Mr Burling was carrying the mails at the time of the Wairau massacre, in 1843, and, in a chat with a newspaper representative gave a vivid description of the events leading up to that dreadful slaughter. Immediately after the Wairau massacre the Maoris were in a dangerous mood all along this coast and while on his mailcarrying work, when near Wellington, he met a number of the armed constables, under Constable Burgess, who were about to enter the bush with the object of carrying mails and special despatches. Having heard the Maoris discussing the situation, aud knowing their intentions, Mr Burling prevailed on Constable Burgess to desist from making the journey, telling him that he was perfectly certain not a single man would live to tell the tale, the natives being determined to butcher them all. In accordance with Mr Burling’s request, the constable returned to Wellington, aud informed the Governor what he had been told, whereupon Mr Burling was called before his Excellency, and repeated his statement. Asked what he would advise to be done, Mr Burling stated that it was madness to attempt to pass through the bush, which was lined with armed Maoris, if carrying arms. He knew from experience, aud from what he had heard on his journey south, that any armed Europeans would be slaughtered. After discussion, the Governor asked Mr Burling to undertake the perilous task himse If, aud the courageous mail carrie consented

to do so. He bade farewell to his wile and family, who strove hard to prevent him from undertaking such a hazardous journey, and started off aioue, unarmed. Soon after leaving he was captured by some Maori scouts, and brought before the great fighting chieftain, Te Rangihaeata, who, however, was a personal friend of Mr Burling 's, and allowed him to proceed on his way unharmed. Armed with a passport from “ Rangi,” Mr Burling proceeded right through to Otaki and Wanganui, and delivered the despatches and mails without mishap.

It is worthy of mention that in all his travels through parts infested by blood-thirsty Maoris, even in times of war, Mr Burling never carried firearms, and to this he ascribed the fact that he never had friction with them. He was known to practically all the natives of the Coast, and being able to talk the Maori language well, got on famously with them. Mr Burling was intimately acquainted with the notorious fighting chieftain Rangiheata, who, he thinks, was harshly judged by many people. He always found him a splendid fellow, true to his friends, generous, and brave in battle. He was a splendid type of Maori, a very handsome, well made man, standing 6ft ein, and of great physical strength.

Questioned on one occasion as to whether he knew Te Rauparaha, Mr Burling remarked, with a laugh, “Oh, bless you, of course I knew ‘ Robulla.’ ’’ He added that the mighty Rauparaha was a very crafty man in war, small iu stature, but of great strength, and when iu auger his face wore such an ugly look as to make one afraid to look at him. He well remembered the time when Te Rauparaha was captured near Paremala, on July 23rd, 1846, and taken aboard tne warship Calliope by orders of Governor Sir George Grey. It is interesting to know that Mr Burling, though he led a hard life, did not abuse himself, which was probably largely accountable for his longevity and good health. He was a smoker for many years, but did not over-indulge in tobacco.