A Story Of Old Northland

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1939, Page 2

A Story Of Old Northland

GLADYS PUCKEY’S GREAT GRAND FATHERS BUILD FIRST CHURCH IN KAITAIA (By Gladys Puckey, Kaitaia) My great grandtathers, the Rev. Jospeh Matthews and Mr William Gilbert Puckey, were the 'first missionaries to come to Kaitaia, and they built the first church here. The Rev. Joseph Matthews, after a good long delay, eventually took up his permanent residence at Kaitaia on October 2, 1833, in a raupo house. The first church was also made of raupo, and served for a school for the native children, as well as a church. Later, in 1843, the raupo buildings were replaced by permanent wooden structures. At that time most of the Maoris were very hostile towards the pakehas, and I have heard several tales of the Rev. Matthews’ adventures with them. Once, so it is said, the Maoris wanted to kill him, but a friendly tribe marched round him and prevented the others from killing him. Another time some unfriendly Maoris came to Mr Matthews and informed him that they were going to kill him. “Oh,” said Mr Matthews. “Don’t kill me to-day, then, to-morrow will do.” Howevei', to-morrow came and he was not killed.

One day. when Mr Matthews was sitting in his hut reading his Bible, with his three-year-old son Ernest (my grandfather) lying in bed, a tribe of hostile Maoris surrounded the hut*and began yelling and leaping around it. Little Ernes., frightened by the unusual noise outside, Jhid under the blankets, peeping out now and then to find his father still calmly reading as if nothing were happening. The ships with stores for the missionaries came only once in every six months, and grandpa had to ride to Mangonui each time they came, and bring back a bag of flour, as well as other supplies, in front of him on the horse.