MARSDEN'S MEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 1 (Supplement)

MARSDEN'S MEN

BY MATANGA

PIONEERS AT RANGIHOUA

The story of the three men Samuel Marsden placed in the Bay of Islands as the pioneers of Christian missions in this country has "good telling in Professor Elder's latest book. It is told mainly in their own words, with enough care to supplement letters and journals with explanatory, linking comment. Since that fateful year of beginnings, 1814, so much has been written about fhe enterprise that little wholly new can now be said, but for " Marsden's Lieutenants," as Dr. Elder calls his book, there was real need. Of the three, Thomas Kendall has had much mention in other books, chiefly because of his connection with the extraordinary venture of Baron do Thierry. This mention, however, has been too scanty, too impatient, too downright, to bo good history; and the other two, John King and William Hall, have remained somewhat shadowy figures. To have their doings and opinions as they set them down makes all the story sure of being better known. After Dr. Elder's " Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden " a skilful editing that will remain classic — this volume takes rank as the best yet produced dealing with New Zealand's pioneer period; less sprightly than "Old New Zealand " and " Poenamo," of necessity, but more important for elucidation of facts. They were a queer team, it may be thought-, these three put down at Rangihoua with their household goods and their commission to teach the Maori how to live a Christian, civilised life. Marsden could then stay with them but a few weeks to see them established, and circumstances decreed that they should long make shift for themselves. Official duty as chaplain of the New South Wales settlement necessarily kept Marsden from the exercise of close personal oversight. His seven visits, the last in 1837 when he was getting infirm, were too infrequent to ensure that oversight, although he had a mind to be a strict commander. Distance across the Tasman was then a serious factor. Diverse Qualities That the " lieutenants " required closer supervision than Marsden was able to give is made clearer than ever from these records. They were seemingly chosen carefully enough, as a result of Marsden's visit to England years before, and they had abilities, in their several ways, of :no mean order. They had preparation, too. Hall and King were taken to Australia by Marsden when he went back at the end of that visit)-. Kendall soon followed; but, because of the disquiet caused by the Boyd massacre at Whangaroa, it was deemed best to wait a while before planting the missionary settlement. Indeed, the Governor of New South Wales, Marsden's own commander, refused permission on that account. But the interval was filled by getting to know colonial life and making acquaintance with the Maoris attracted to Port Jackson and given friendly care in Marsden's " seminary " at Parrainatta. None of the three was merely marking time.

So, when the way seemed clear, they got a flying start. They were well instructed in their task; they had tried out tlieir powers; and in particular they had begun a promising friendship with influential Maori chiefs, -notably Hongi and his kinsman Ruatara. But elements of weakness were in themselves, and the risk of failure was aggravated by the very condition designed to secure success—the putting of them together on one small bit of shore, hardly more than a toehold in the new country. They were diverse in training and disposition, and fear of the Maori—for Ruatara's welcome was soon followed by his death, and Hongi, not a near neighbour, was a man of moods—had almost as much to do in keeping them together as love of their difficult occupation. As it was. they quarrelled often. It was three and a-half years before Marsden could come' again, and in the interval his written counsels, although backed by proper authority, could be obeyed or disobeyed much as these lieutenants thought fit. No wonder anarchy showed its ugly visage, despite their best 'intentions and undoubted interest in their job. Mishaps to the Plan

The unlikeness of the three was according to plan. Kendall, with the best educational equipment (although to call him a scholar in the loftiest sense would <be a mistake), was to open school. Hall was a carpenter —a joiner, to be precise—and for bis greater usefulness in the mission was sent by the

C.M.S. committee to Hull to learn something of shipbuilding and navigation. King was a shoemaker, given likewise instruction in flax-dressing, twinespinning and rope-making, and acquainted with agriculture. Marsden's request to the committee for three pious artisans —" one of them should be a carpenter, another a smith, and a third a twine-spinner " —had been partially granted. His motive and method have been strangely mishandled by insufficient critics. He certainly did not put culture in European arts and crafts before the Gospel. Dr. Elder's book should help to banish that fallacy. Marsden asked for " men of tried and eminent piety, actuated by an ardent desire to promote the knowledge of Christ among the heathen, who will be willing to devote themselves to this object." They were " expected to form a small Christian society, living together in habits of industry, piety and love." As soon as possible they were to be followed by " a suitable clergyman further to prosecute their design, in the formation of a regular mission." The plan went astray in ways more serious than the absence of the smith and much more difficult to overcome. All three requisites—industry, piety and love —were at times poorly present. There was dispute over Kendall's wish to be exclusively devoted to schoolkeeping and spiritual ministrations, and in other things a rigid division of labour was proved impracticable, as was Marsdell's hope that the settlement might be commercially run on the principle of having "all things common." A Chequered Story

Their task is well described in Marsden's counsel: "Though the missionaries might employ a certain portion oi their time, according to local circumstances, in manual labour, this neither would nor ought to prevent thein from constantly endeavouring to instruct the natives in the great doctrines of the Gospel, and fully discharging the duties of catechists." What they did, how long they kept-at it, and with what success, are now for all to know. This book enables its readers to be exact. It recapitulates the genesis of the mission, traces its vicissitudes, and by presenting the text of the missionaries' records and correspondence makes a memorable contribution to the literature of New Zealand's pioneering days. As in the " Letters and Journals," Dr. Elder's careful foot-noting adds greatly to the value of the book. " Marsden's Lieutenants." edited by John Rawson Elder. M.A., D. Lilt. (Abdn.), Professor of History in the University of Otago. Dunedin. (Coulls Somerville Wilkie. Ltd.,

and A. H. Reed, for the Otago University Council, Dunedin.)