NOTES OF NEW ZEALAND PIONEERING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8842, 2 April 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

NOTES OF NEW ZEALAND PIONEERING.

• No. IV. [BY It. M. JERVIS.] At the conclusion of the last instalment of my notes I left Mr. Spencer returning to his friends at New Plymouth, after an unsuccessful attempt at negotiating the purchase of a pig from a Maori. Before proceeding far Spencer also reported that, upon looking back, they saw to mcir astonishment several natives and a pakeha following, who, after a brief stay with the owners of the pig, came along, witn one or two attendants only, waving his right hand to tho others, with farewell parting, and apparently a perfect command ot their language. Upon his coming up to Spencer introductory exchanges took place, after the stylo of polished members of civilization. Spencer expressed his astonishment at seeing a gentleman, with so many followers from tho coast., which had the reputation of being dangerous, from the chronic state of killing and cannibalism that existed among the contending remnants ot tribes, and, observing the stranger's arm bandaged in a sling, hoped he had not been molested. Tho " pakeha Kahu" coolly replied that he had "discharged his body-guard from Otumatua," about 50 miles down the coast, that ho "enforced an understanding amongst the natives of his being a man of consequence"; that his " arm was damaged by a fall upon tho rocks, and had detained him a short timo at a pa." "The Hying survey had arrived," observed Spencer (the first Europeans known to have travelled through." •'Yet," remarked tho stranger, "I heard about them as 1 passed ; and I have the honour to bo tho second known discoverer, I suppose." Ho was a man of middle height, broadchested, and powerfully-made ; eyes full of tire and determination, broad muscular lower jaw, with a deep scar 011 ono side. He gave his name as Scott; but from information arriving at Wanganui, some months afterwards, ho was suspected to bo

TUB NOTORIOUS MACLEOD, a convict who was reported to have escaped from Sydney in a boat, with four others — hail taken by surprise a merchant brig, becalmed in the oiling at night, outward bound from that port. The otlicers and crew were forced into the stolen boat, and returned to Sydney with a report of the piracy. Macleod pursued a course to the Islands, where the brig was wrecked. He subsequently took a schooner, killing two men in the act, and landed five ot the crew. His next, appearances were at the Bay of Islands and surrounding parts, and when at anchor there, amongst some sperm ships, a trader from Sydney described the reward that was offered there of £500 for his apprehension. Macleod, it appears, lost no time in getting under weigh at night, and the schooner was afterwards wrecked upon the coast. From that time his career .as amongst the natives, and eventually he found his way from the interior to Wangamii, Cook's Straits, the new settlement. There he presented himself as a man of means, to the society of gentlemen, the chief founders of the settlement, and was admitted to their evening socialities and card pastimes, during which he often astonished them with his high play and powers in carousing, until one early morning Mr. Soi-disant Scott secretly conveyed a gentleman's desk into the scrub. He was seen, followed, and whilst, in the act of pilliging the contents, displayed great pugilistic powers, to the extent of grounding his intending captitters, but escaping with a broken or dislocated arm ; hence his appearance to my unsuspecting partner, Spencer, who brought him to our reception and sleeping apartment, about ten feet by eight feet, and introduced him as Mr. Scott, unintelligent traveller through the native country. A few days' visiting on his part went by pleasantly, and the arm got into usefulness again. As our other visitors and myself never indulged in card gambling, Messrs. Spencer and Mcl.eod amused themselves together at cribbage, etc. After one night of cutis, upon my arrival home from the set t lement above, I found that forty of our sovereigns were deposited with the Sydney notes in McLeod's capacious pocket-book. On another occasion more winnings by the pretended Scott took place, in face of my emphatic warnings against unfair play. I took occasion to have some angry words with the man, declared my suspicions, and forbade him the wliare. Nevertheless, after having elicited a pro mise from Spencer that the card-playing should cease, the desire to recover his losses overpowered resolution ami the two gamblers were discovered upon my awakening, one early morning, rising from the empty case, or tallow beplastered table, having been at play throughout tho night. Mr. McLeod gathered himself together with a pleasant "Good morning," and straightway took himself off to his own quarters with a handle of plunder, whilst cadaverous - visag?d Spencer, with shrugging shoulders, intimated that wo were " cleaned out" of all ready cash, also two new suits of clothes, and an ullage of brandy to be sent for, but which latter commodity was never delivered. It appeared that up to midnight Spencer had been a winner, evidently encouraged onwards to high stakes, till tho opportunity should occur for him receive tho coup de grace of this accomplished swindler. While getting into our respective daily habiliments, many angry ohullitions, sapient aphorisms, and condemnatory epithets were bandied to and fro. These were remembered years afterwards, on the eve of my friend Spencer's last visit to Auckland in his schooner the Maid of the Mill, when we recallod to mind and com [tared romantic results of our Taranaki experiences. Amongst others, that of McLeod's disappearance was related, which may, perhaps, bo found hero of interest. Upon the return Sunday Divine service was held in the raupo chapel of the Rev. Mr. Creed, at which Spencer and 1 duly attended. After service, on coming outside, wo heard a shout from some natives assembled on the beach, and observed one or two of them in a sttlto of excitement, during which the mime of " Maiki" occurred, pointing to Mr. Scott, in his new suit of broadcloth, who thereupon wont calmly towards them and poured forth somo oily and peculiarly emphatic utterances upon the strangers (for they had but the previous day arrived from the Nerth with a tall, gentlemanly pakeha), which had the effect of converting their exclamations into airs of apparent satisfaction, that they had mistaken their man. He was nevertheless, of course without our knowledge, tho veritable Macleod, the pirate. Wending our way homewards, we innocents in admiring terms expatiated upon the oratorical style of our quondam acquaintance, Mr. Scott. Some months after this a LONG, RAKISH SCHOONER one evening made her appearance off Soames' Island, in Port Nicholson, and on tho same night of her arrival Mr. John Wade, the then chief shipping agent, went through the settlement, called upon several of his business friends, and obtained all the coin that was available at their hands, for the purpose of " settling accounts and getting away one of his consigned vessels." In the morning, at about eleven o'clock, according to the expectations of the Customs officials (acting-chief of whom was Mr. Murphy, the Resident Magistrate), the strange schooner was observed to be getting under weigh, and was considered by those on shore to be coming to her proper anchorage, but from her not doing so after "a long stretch" or two, and the vessel not having her clearance, the official boat was pulled off to her, flying the official flag astern, fully manned with Customs and harbour authorities. Arriving alongside, the captain of the schooner stated that he was delighted at having this opportunity of assuring them that they need not put themselves to any further trouble about the yacht under his command, regretting that his necessarily hasty departure precluded the pleasure of their visit on

board. " The Ship's Papers " were then demanded, and at the same time movements were made by one of the boat's crew, to climb on to the main chains. •' Before passing my bulwarks," observed the skipper, " I desire, gentlemen, to see your passage moneys; the schooner is gathering way upon her, and there is no time to lose, for you will otherwise be drawn under, or lose your bowman overboard." He admonished the captain in a gracious tone; at the same time a couple of cannonballs were held over the side by one of the crew, ostensibly in readiness to drop through the floor of the boat. "The situation" was at once seen by tho authorities, and they discreetly sheered off, breathing forth stately asseverations about the powers that would bo let loose upon such piratical conduct: to which was replied, "Adieu, gentlemen, it is to be regretted that our opinions as to jurisdiction so widely differ." The handsome cruiser was soon yielding over to a light squall coming in under a fore-topsail and fore-and-aft canvas, leaving our enraged officials, who, in speedy time, ran the boat of authority's stem on to the beach, helpless to enforce British Customs and judicial powers. For months after this event, sensational yarns, emanating from old colonists from the other side of the water, were rife in connection with the mysterious visitor; amongst which exaggerated accounts of Macleod's exploits were detailed, and opinions prevailed that the skipper of the cruiser was tho above-named pirate himself. However, the truth was also said to be, that our mercantile friend " Johnny Wade," had purchased from tho schooner some fastened lines to casks of brandies and rum sunk and buoyed from her before arriving at her anchorage. ANOTHER ArPEAHANOE With regard to perhaps, ono of the chief actors in this enterprise. The narrator of this, on the same morning of tho schooner's departure, was drawn by curiosity into the large raupo Court-house on Lambton Flat, by the side of which building two sets of stocks were ostentatiously erected. Entering the Court. The painted arms of the Queen's Crown and dignity were displayed and sustained for the regulation of both Europeans and Maoris (but with regard to the latter, Coke and Lyttelton were always resolved into judgments of expediency). Sailors and " beach-combers," one after another, were brought into the dock ; when the dignatary (.Mr. Murphy) with portly mien, snappishly demanded without discrimination : " Were you drunk ?" and almost before a reply could be uttered, the ireful 11. M. finished, by ordering "Five shillings or two hours i' the stocks." "Next caso !" The next case was a rough-clad defendant, who pleaded to the charges of " drunk and disorderly" — "Drunk, your Worship." "Ah!" grunted tho Magistrate, reading the information. " Maori warrior, when drunk, eh ? found some English in speech this mornyig." " Forty shillings, or four hours in * the stocks, and week in gaol." To my amazement I recognised Scott or Macleod in the delinquent, but not being at once certain, I elbowed my way out, and found that the man had disappeared, after having paid his fine; whilst going round on one side, Macleod had taken the other on to tho beach. Turning towards Barrett's hotel, I inquired of Dr. Dorset, formerly of Wanganui, who was under the verandah, if he had seen a man pass with features like those of Macleod—for Scott and Macleod wero then suspected of being tho same man. He replied, " No • but I should like to catch him myself, and make him disgorgeeorr.o of his Wanganui swindling.*." Hastening down the beach, I ran against the card-sharper as he was just emerging from a grog-shop. "Ah ! .Jervis !" exclaimed the man, " come in," and when in the front room coolly remarked, " I put on this disguise to search after my second mate, upon liberty on shore. That schooner," pointing at the same time to a trim little craft at anchor, " is owned and commanded by me, and somo of my confounded fellows are making a long spree ashore also." „ " I'erhaps so," I returned, " but I have other matters to engage your attention." "Oh!'' laughingly volunteered the captain, " those confounded winnings from Spencer at Tatanaki, eh ! Now, my dear sir. pray believe me that after my first winnings he would not let me rest till he had his revenge ; but come on board for the one o'clock luncheon. In the meantime, I must run off, and change this attire for my own rig, and then I will do myself the pleasure of handing you the amount of my winnings from Spencer, for I have received my long-expected first remittance from an ostato left mo at homo ; and my little yacht yonder is only a first outlay." This explanation having been given with an air of candour, without the slightest hesitation I entertained doubts of the identity of the man with Macleod's history, and signified a postponement of the interview. Upon arriving at my lodgings overlooking the harbour, I took my glass, and observed his boat arrive alongside the craft indicated by him, but in a short time shove off and pull for the large schooner, slowly under weigh, and directed afterwards to sea. Without any loss of time, I hastoned on board tho captain's socalled yacht, to find only that the occupants of the boat wero strangers, and that they had boarded tho craft to enquire if they had any fruit for sale ; that upon one of them removing his comforter a scar was observed across his left jaw. Thus ended another of the many escapes of the notorious Macleod. Had I been aware of tho marks of his identification at that particular time, and the reward at Sydney of £.">OO for his apprehension (imparted by the doctor immediately after the escape), by prompt action I should not have been troubled with much after vexation and regret, beside tho chaff endured of so " neat a sell."