EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF AN OLD MISSIONARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9497, 28 April 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF AN OLD MISSIONARY.

[BY REV. G. SWALES.] THE SIGNING of the TREATY OF waitangi. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on the 6th of February, 1840. On this occasion the great opponenbs to the signing were Taraia and Hone Hoke, with four others, bub the overpowering influence of my old friend Tamati Waka carried the day. After considerable excitement, however, it was decided bo give 24 hours more for deliberation. The next day 46 chiefs signed the Treaty. A few days afterwards (i.e., on the 11thof February, 1840) Captain Hobson proceeded to the Wesleyan Mission House, Manguneu, Hokianga, where another large meeting of upwards of 2000 natives was convened, ab which Mr. Hobbs acted as interpreter. He rendered into the native language Captain Hobson's own interpretation of the Treaty, which then received the additional signatures of 120 principal chiefs. Agents were sent bo other parts of the country, and within six months, 512 names were appended to that State document. The legal difficulty being now removed, Her Majesty the Queen could assert her authority in accordance with the State lawyers. The proclamation was issued on May 21, 1840 ; and on the South Island on June 17. In the latter place this was nob done a day too soon. THE FRENCH AT AKAROA. The Combe de Paris, a French immigranb ship, arrived at Akaroa under the escort of the frigate L'Aube, with 57 sebblers, who were bo be followed by others. Captain Stanley of H.M.s. Britomart, who had been sent by Captain Hobson to watch the Frenchman, arrived there, only just in time to protest against the landing of six 24pounders, mounted on field carriages. An English magistrate was located ; and Captain Lavard, of L'Aube, admitted that the immigrants were French settlers in an English colony. Thus narrowly was the occupation of the South Island by the French prevented. The French bishop and his clergy used all the influence they could command against Captain Hobson's mission. I had a long conversation with Captain Hobson on Kororareka beach shortly after this event, and he seemed delighted with the result of Captain Stanley's success in. his race with the Frenchman, and fchua being readiness to receive the immigration ship and the frigate with immigrants and visitors bo "are English colony." And it was generally conceded at the time bhab both Captain Hobson and Captain Stanley had carried out their plan with considerable adroitness, celerity, and ability, and thus saved at least a great deal of diplomacy and conbenbion. EXTENSION OF MISSIONS. In the year 1839 thß Wesleyaa Mission Fund had been so munificently assisted by the liberal contributions bo the Centenary Fund of Methodism, that ib was decided to send out several additional missionaries to the South Seas. For this purpose, and for the .-efficient continuance of the work, ib was decided bo procure a vessel of their own for the purpose, which was the first mission vessel the Wesleyan Church had owned. The brigantine Triton was obtained and fibbed out in Bristol, and sailed from that port on September 14,1839, with a large number of missionaries, with the wives of several and their children. Some were for Africa, some for New Zealand, and some for Tonga and Fiji. After a prolonged voyage, , having been driven into

Milford Haven, and then again into Saldanha Bay, South Africa, through heavy weathercalling ab the Cape of Good Hope and Hobartown—they at length reached New Zealand, and entered the harbour of Hokianga on May the 7 th, 1840.

DROWNING OP MR. BUMBY. On the 23rd of May, Messrs. Waterhouse, Bumby, Buttle, Aldred, Turton, with Mrs. Buddie and Mrs. Turton, sailed for Kawhia. Leaving their passengers for that place with Mr. Bumby, the Triton . proceeded on her voyage with the remainder for Tonga and Fiji. They had scarcely, however, passed New Zealand when one of the ladies, Mrs. Francis Wilson, who was intended for the Friendly Islands mission, succumbed with her babe to the call of the last messenger, and her husband and the party had the painful duty of committing her body to a watery grave, to aWait the day when " the sea shall give up the dead bhab are in it." She was a lady, though of a meek and quiet spirit, yet of a large heart, full of enterprise and philanthropy. Mr. Bumby with his natives crossed over from Kawhia to Maraetai, at the mouth of the Wairoa, not far from Auckland, in the middle of winter, having a rough journey. From thence they calculated sailing bo Whangarei, and again crossing the country to the Bay of Islands, and from thence to the Hokianga. They crossed over to Waiheke, and there engaged a large canoe from the friends of one of the party. On Thursday, bhe2sbh of June, they proceeded on their journey, and after reaching Motutapu they remained over-night there. The next day, 26th, they went on their voyage. The weather was fine bub cold. There were twenty persons on board the large canoe, including Mr. Bumby, some from Mangungu, some from Kawhia, and some from the Thames. About noon, the wind being favourable, they hoisted a sail. They were then between Motutapu and Tiritiri - Matangi. Whilst the sail was going up several of the natives arose! and through some carelessness or irregularity the canoe was upset, and all were thrown overboard. Many swam well, and did their utmosb to save Mr. Bumby. After a time they actually gob the canoe righted again, though filled with water, and cub off Mr. Bumby's clothes bo lighten him. Several of the natives who had been struggling for some time in the water, crowded to the side of the canoe and she upset again. Then ib was thab the son of the late Kawhia chief Haupokia (Robert Newton) perished, and this created a panic amongst the natives. They managed, however, to get Mr. Bumby once more on the bottom of the canoe. Here he was held for about half an-hour. He engaged in prayer, and committed himself into the hands of Him who hath ever conquered death, when a succession of swelling waves setting in from the Hauraki Gulf, overwhelmed the whole party except six natives, who by their strength and swimming ability were enabled to keep themselves afloat until there was a lull in the weather, and they gob the canoe again righted, and after picking up some floating articles they made their way to the land. These and other particulars were related to myself and Miss Bumby by Hemi Karena (James Garland), a native who was partner with a faithful Tongese native, in assisting Mr. Bumby on the bottom of the canoe.