Fifty Years Ago.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 11

Fifty Years Ago.

Stirring Incidents of the Days of the Pioneers. Glancing through our files of August, 1861, one finds them occupied by three main topics—politics, the unrest among tho Maoris (which culminated in open war and gave settlement in several districts a serious sot-backj, and the rush to tho goldfields, then lately discovered in Otago. News from other centres travelled on feet of lead, as may be realised from tho fact that an Important no-confidence debate, initiated in the New Zealand General Assembly, then sitting in Auckland, on July 23rd, is not mentioned till August 2nd in the’ '‘Wellington Independent,” and the late of the Ministry (Mr Fox’s) was unknown. Politics. Administrations in New Zealand about this time were carried on finder serious handicaps, much as is tho case to-day in some parte of Australia—and especially, as the last few days’ cables have shown, in New South Wales. The first .Ministry, till' Bel t-Se well,, formed on May 7tb, ISM. was defeated thirteen days later by one vote; Mr Fox thou took office, but was dismissed by a majority of one on J uno 2nd, having had a life of thirteen days (unlucky number!) like its predecessor, Mr Stafford then formed a Ministry and carried on the government of tho colony for five years, till July 12th, 1861, when Mr Fox again assumed control. Tho Stafford Government’s defeat, also .secured by a majority of one—2-1 votes to 23, —was due to dissatisfaction with its policy regarding Native affairs, then iu a very critical stage and only needing a spark to set the country ablaze. Tho personnel, of the Fox Ministry was as follows; Mr Fox, Premier and Colonial Secretary; Mr Sewell. Attorney-General; Mr Reader Wood, Colonial Treasurer; Mr Mantcll, Native Minister; Mr Crosbie Ward, Post-master-General and. Secretary for Crown Lands; Mr Henderson and Dr Pollen, Ministers without portfolio. Mr Fox was not allowed to go long without a challenge. He had announced his policy regarding the natives, trusting that by personal meetings between members of tho Government and the Maori leaders misunderstandings about the King movement in the Waikato and the administration of native lands would bo cleared up and a peaceful settlement of all difficulties arrived at; failing this item measures would be taken to bring tho Maoris to submission. On August Ist, Mr C. W. Richmond moved that the House disagree with the policy. The Government survived the assault, by one veto again—26 to 25. It lasted thirteen months. In the Shadow of War.

Meantime tho native troubles already referred to wore exciting grave anxiety among the colonists. It was believed tho Waikato Maoris were favourably disposed towards the policy of the new Government, but as yet it was too early to forsee tho ultimate issue of the trouble!, Taranaki had already ex- , perienced the desolation consequent on armed strife with the Maoris, and was indeed at this time—although by courtesy raid to bo in a state of peace—undei martial law. A state of war virtually reigned, so great was the uncertainty of the settlsrs as to what each day might bring forth. Agriculture anU other industry was paralysed. It was hoped that mediation would prevent such a deadening condition of affairs from sj reading to other po.’tions of tho Nottli Island, and enable the white people who J ad settled in Taranaki to make u Ires': start in building up the fortunes of tht province. The temper of a largo section of the Maoris is shown by what took place at a gathering of a thousand men, besides women and children, at Moremere, near what is now Hawera, on July 3rd, 1861. Practically all expressed themselves in favour of supporting the King movement. Seventy-one • chiefs addressed the meeting, and though dif-

fering in terms their speeches were all to the same effect. They wished to have a ICing of their own, and preserve thenland for themselves. A dark-skinned race should have a ruler of its own colour. For the Queen to govern them was like the bramble ruling over tho trees of the forest. Tho King movement, at first a small seed, had grown and spread until it was now a great tree, bringing forth leaves and fruit, and

amidst whoso branches tho birds of tho air now lodged. If tho Pakeha attempted to cut down that tree, he would be resisted. The Maoris would defend their King and country. If they were defeated. tho land would be given up to the Pakeha. If they prevailed, the Pakeha would be driven from tho island. But they would not begin tho fight. Wherever the. Governor began they would go to that place—if at Taranaki, to Taranaki; if at Waikato, to Waikato They would not in concert with the Waikato Maori people; whatever the Waikato decided upon, in that they would concur. The situation was thus a most delicate one. Wellington’s Defencelesness,

In the face of all these rumours of war the citizens of' Wellington were becoming gravely anxious as to what means of defence would be available. So long as the native trouble was limited to that oyer the land question in Taranaki there was nothing to fear seriously from tho southern tribes.' . But the . Iviug movement was a far-reaching matter, and interested the larger portion of the Maori people. WelHngton- representatives in the General Assembly made an appeal to Governor Gore-Browne for measures to protect tho people of the town and district. His Hxcellency replied, that Commodore Seymour had declined to accede to his request that a warship bo stationed at Wellington; but General Cameron had agreed to send some, additional troops to Mapier, Wellington, and Wanganui. At the present moment, when defence ■ questions bulk large iu the community, some returns adduced by Governor Browne to show that Wellington Province had received its full proportion of arms are ( of interest. in Wellington and Wanganui, tho Hnropean population totalled 12,000 and the Maori 8000. There were 300 troops in Wellington, 200 at Wanganui, and 20& wore under orders—a total of 700. At Wellington there were 700 rides and percussion muskets, and. at Wanganui 408 rifles, muskets, and carbines. There ■were also seventy-seven flint muskets that might be used in emergency! The Gold-seekers.

Earlier in tho year IS6I gold had been discovered . at Gabriel’s Gnlly, and a great rush had set in for the new field. Tuapeka now had a, population of 2000, and mitn were arriving every day. “The cost of living” was a big Question with those gold-seekers, though possibly they did not treat it as seriously as does the average citizen of to-day. Meat cost one shilling per pound, eggs five shillings a dozen, and flour was J 165 to .£7O per ton. Large quantitos of gold were being obtained by some parties; but there were many disappointed ones. One party of three obtained SOoz, 2dwt. for five days’, work; near by men who sunk four holes several feet got only a single pennyweight of gpld. At one time, shortly after tho opening of the field, it was said that there were in Tnapeka upwards of IO.OOOoz. awaiting transit at Xhmedin.