"WHEN I WAS YOUNG."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

"WHEN I WAS YOUNG."

SEVENTY YEARS IN NEW ZEALAND. BY UNCLE JIM. Born in Wanganui 70 years ago and living in this Dominion ever since, I think boys and girls will admit that I ought to know something about this country, especially as I have travelled a good deal through the islands. First of all, I will tell you something about the Maoris in the 'sixties. In those days many of the/tribes were savage and uncivilised and at that time it was calculated there were over 100.000 Maoris in New Zealand, as against about 60.000 now. Bub some years ago, when the Massey Government was in power, it took steps to endeavour to stop the decrease by bringing them under medical and hygienic conditions, with the result that a substantial increase in population is shown. Don't you think it would be a great pity if the race gradually died out as was threatened ? I recall the old-time war-dances, chants and hakas. Frequently at their pas from 100 to 200 almost naked men and women took part in savage displays. They kept perfect time; they shook the earth when stamping in unison; to a stranger the fierce demeanour of the performers was most terrifying. Modern hakas and poidances give only a faint idea of what they used to be. The war-dances were often led by an apcient native woman, who chanted some dirge in a wailing tone; then at intervals the dancers would go through their savage actions with fierce grimaces and all sinews taut. I remember as a little boy being taken to a big turn-out at Putiki;. hundreds of Maoris assembled at that pa periodically, coming down the river from remote settlements in canoes loaded with peaches, cherries, potatoes and pumpkins, which they sold 4o the Eurojaeans of tho town. Sly word, I wanted to run away when I saw the first war-dance. 1 was scared, but my father told me not to be afraid, as he knew the chief of the pa, Major Kemp. At that time ilia Maori War had not finished and the Maoris, though pretending to be friendly, were often in a sullen mood. When one meets the Maori now he is usually polite and civil, but 60 or 70 years ago you could expect a scowl or a grunt if you spoke to him—except when he was trying to barter his goods for money or old clothes. Money was very scarce between 1860 and 1880 and wages for work were very low—carpenters got 6s per day and labourers 4s. For potatoes and fruit the natives gladly took in exchange old clothes and food. I have seen them refuse a good pair of boots for a kit of potatoes, out what was the use of boots to people who did not wear them ? If they got a soldiers's coat with brass buttons they considered it a special bargain. Speaking of soldiers reminds me that Sir George Grey was Governor in the 'sixties. He was said to be greatly favourable to the Maoris and abhorred the war. Several British regiments were sent out to fight the Maoris, or, rather, to subdue them. Some of the regiments were tho 12th. 14th, 18th, 40th' and 65th. The Maori' War cost the whites about five million pounds, the Waikato War being the most expensive, about three million's, and 570 men killed and wounded. To meet the costs the British confiscated much of the Maori land and in later years this confiscation caused a good deal of trouble. The effects of the war were severely felt for several years afterwards on account of the stagnation in trade that ensued. Since I grew up I have liked thft Maeris; they are pleasant, sociable sort of people, always ready to do their white brother a good turn if possible. I have read authorities who declare that tha Maori is the. bravest savage in the'world, and I quite believe it. ,Of course, in tlie fighting days they were classed as sly and treacherous, but you know " all * fair iiHove. and war." I have found the Maori pretty brainy, too. When I worked on tho Hawera Star newspaper many years ago a Maori boy was "staff;" he spoke English quite well. A Shakespearian actor named Herr Bandmann. with Miss B" r * drtt. played one night, in the town. Thu weather was atrocious, and very people turned up. Bandmann —a man standing 6ft. 2in.—was near the ticket office growling for all lie was worth. Our Maori boy appeared and " Please, sir, will you let the press in • Said Bandmann: "The press? Yes, letany dom thing in to-night. Bring it over!" Tho "press" weighed about » (on !