MAORILAND MEMORIES.

NZ Truth, Issue 60, 18 August 1906, Page 7

MAORILAND MEMORIES.

THE NEW ISSUE OF POSTAGE STAMPS.

The new sixpenny stamp, to be issued m connection with the New Zealand Exhibition, will illustrate the

HOISTING OF THE BRITISH FLAG at Kororareka, Bay of Islands. The British flag has been historically hoisted on more than one occasion at the Bay of Islands. Which incident will be illustrated is scarcely yet determined.

The Bay of.lslandß has been the scene of many historic incidents-rsome gruesome, some healthful. Amongst the latter must be included the visit of Rev. Samuel Marsden, a pioneer cleric of ' New South Wales, who made his first visit to Maoriland m November, 1814. Prior to that date Mr. Marsdeh had sent two missionaries, Messrs. Hall and Kendall, with useful presents, m the brig Active. This : missionary, • Kendall, was the grandfather of Henry Kendall, the poet of some Australian fame. On the return of the Active she brought with' her as passengers the great warrior, Hongi, his nephew Ruatara, and other chiefs, all of whom were Mr. Marsden's guests at the old

PARSONAGE HOUSE AT PARRA-

. '„];'J .[ MATTA. ; In writing. to. England about these Maoris, the .parson .said.: "They are as noble a rac^e of, men.as Jare.to beinet with m any part of' the world, '■ \ t trust I shall be able m some measure to put a stop to those dreadful murders which have been committed upon the island for some years past, both by Europeans and the natives. They are a much injured people, notwithstanding all that has been advanced against them."

In November, 1814, Margden sailed m the Active for the Bay of Islands, accompanied by Messrs. Kendall, Hall, King, and their families. Eight Maoris and two Tahitians were of the party. A Mr. Nicholls went ilso as a friend. Marsden's reputation enmred him a good reception, but he wanted •nore. He wished to establish peace. A ribal war was then raging. Battles had been fought. While the guests of the parson at Parramatta, ' the chiefs gave Marsden details of the quarrel. On arrival at the Bay of Islands, Marsden went \with Mongi to the

CAMP OF THE WHANGAROANS, and was cordially received. "We eat down amongst them, and the chiefs surrounded us." It was risky, for the massacre of the Boyd was not forgotten, nor the causes which had led up to it. Amongst the Whangaroans was a chief who had sailed m an English ship. He acted as interpreter. Marsden explained the object of his mission, and enlarged on the blessings of peace. The tribe having retired for the night, Marsden and Nicholas were desired .by the interpreter to remain near him, for extra safety possibly.

Marsden wrote of that night : — "The night was clear, the stars shone bright, and the sea m our front was smooth. Around us were innumerable spears, stuck upright m the ground, and groups of natives lying m all directions, like a flock of sheep upon the grass, as there were neither tents nor

huts to cover them. I viewed our present situation with sensations and feelings that I cannot express, SURROUNDED BY CANNIBALS

who had massacred and devoured our countrymen, I wondered much at the mysteries of Providence, and how these things could be. Never did I behold the blessed advantage of civilisation iv a more gratefcil light than now."

In the morning Marsden invited the chiefs on board the Active. At first ne entertained doubts if the chiefs would trust, themselves, on account of the Boyd rr assacre, but they showed no signs of fear, and went on board with confidence. After breakfast the chiefs sat m the cabin, while Marsden distributed presents— axes, billhooks, prints, etc. The missionaries were introduced and their intentions explained. Kendall was to teach the children; Hall to build houses, boats, etc.; King to make fishing-lines; Mr. Hanson to command the Active, whibh would be engaged m bringing from Sydney axes and such things as were wanted to cultivate the land and improve the country. When the presentations were ended, Marsden expressed a hope that there would be no more waivs, but that from that time the chiefs and tribes would be

RECONCILED TO EACH OTHER. The hitherto enemies shook hands and saluted each other as a token of reconciliation by joining their noses together. The chiefs took their leave, much pleased with the attention bestowed upon them, and also highly pleased with the presents. They promised for the future to protect the missionaries, and never to injure European traders. ■

(BY "OLD CHUM.")

The first Sunday on which CHRISTIANITY WAS PREACHED m New Zealand happened also to be Christmas Day of 1814. One of the chiefs, Duaterra, passed the afternoon of Saturday m enclosing about half an acre of ground with a fence, and within the enclosure, m the centre, he also erected a pulpit and reading-desk, and covered the whole with black native cloth, or with , some duck brought from Sydney. He also obtained the bottoms of old canoes, and fitted them up as seats alongside the pulpit, for the Europeans to sit upon. In the evening the chief informed Marsden that everything was ready for service on the morrow. The chief had erected a flagstaff on the highest hill of the village, which had a commanding view, and on this flagstaff on Christmas morning, 1815, the Rev. Sam Marsden beheld the BRITISH FLAG FLYING. * * *

At 10 o'clock Marsden and his friends prepared to go ashore. All on board the Active accompanied him excepting the master and one man. When Marsden and his party landed they found the chiefs, who had visited Sydney, dressed m regimentals which viovernor Macquarie had given them, with swords by their sides and switches m their hands. The Europeans occupied the seats of honor. Koro Koro marched his men into the enclosure, and placed them on the right of the pulpit, Duaterra placing his men on the left. The inhabitants

of the village, with women and children, and a number of other chiefs, formed a circle round the whole. The sight is said to have been impressive. The parson gave out the "Old Hundredth," the standing up and sitting down being arranged by Koro Koro with the aid of his switch, converted into a baton for the occasion. The sermon was on the text from the second chapter of St. Luke, tenth verse, "Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy." The Maoris told Duaterra that they could not understand what the parson meant. When the sermon was ended Duaterra explained what Marsden meant. In this way the English flag was first raised at the Bay of Islands.

In 1832, Mr. James Busby was appointed by Lord, Godcrich as "BRITISH RESIDENT AT NEW ZEALAND,"

to prevent the arrival of criminals and apprehend runaways if he could. Busby carried a letter to the chiefs from Lord Goderich, stating that "the King would do all m his power to prevent a recurrence of outrages, etc."

Busby went to New Zealand m a man-of-war, but he found that there was nothing for him to do, and can scarcely be blamed for not doing it. In 1834 he proposed to establish a NATIONAL FLAG FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.

Sir Richard Bourke sent three patterns. The chiefs selected one of the three, which were brought down by Captain Lambert, or H.M.S. Alligator. On March 20, 1834, the flag was publicly hoisted, and was saluted with twenty-one guns by H.M.S. Alligator. The flag is described m W. B: Marshall's "Personal Narrative" :— lt was white, with a St. George's Cross, and m the upper corner on the left-hand, a blue held, with a red cross, and four white stars. Before the chiefs voted, one of them consulted Mr. Marshall, and took his advice as to his vote. The chosen flag received twelve votes, another ten, the third . six. Two chiefs refrained from voting, being superstitious that

SOME HIDDEN DANGER lay m the flag. In June, 1839, the Colonial Office intimated "that circumstances appeared to the Marquis of Normanby and Lord Palmerston to force upon Her Majesty's Government the adoption of measures for establishing some British authority m New Zealand." In June of the same year Her Majesty extended the boundaries of New South Wales so as to include such portions of New Zealand as the Crown might acquire. On July 30 the office of Consul, which was to be conferred upon

CAPTAIN WILLIAM HOBSON, was enlarged to a Lieutenant Governorship. But while Hobson was, making ready the Wakefields were active, and on August 16, 1839, one of their ships, The Tory, anchored m Queen Charlotte's Sound, and taking on board a pilot (Barrett), Wakefielft hur-

ried to Port Nicholson, and landing on the site of Wellington on September 30, hoisfed the New Zealand flag on an immense flagstaff, which was saluted with 21 guns from the- ship, after which was a Maori dance, everything passing off with the greatest harmony.

With instructions from, Lord Normanby whose son m after years became

A GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND, Captain Hobson sailed from England m H.M.S. Druid, Captain Lord Churchill three months after Colonel. Wakefield's departure. When he (Hobson) .'arrived m Sydney, Wakefield's proceedings were known, but the Lieutenant-Governor had the advantage of the, advice of Governor Gipps, a very able and. astute administrator. Before Captain Hobson lef t.-Sydney he took the oaths of office as Lieutenant-Go-vernor. Gipps had received, a /new commission, exending his authority to any territory of which the "sovereignty has been or may be,' acquired m New Zealand." A copy of this be gave, Hobson. Gipps also gave the Lieutenant-Governpr gfc r i ct i nstruc . tions. .As to the extent of land lo be acquired,'the Marquis of Normanby had given full instructions, and Governor Gipps and his lieutenant were to see them fully carried out. : ■■■'.• ■

*■ * * Hobson sailed from Sydney on January

H.M.S. HERALD, and arived at Kororarika on the 29th. Captain Hobson's arrival deprived Busby of his position as British Resident, but tho latter gave loyal support to the new man. Tho English inhabitants presented an address to Hobson.. Normanby's instructions contained full directions as to the treaty to be made. Hobson invited . the chiefs to a meeting to consider a draft treaty. * * *

On February 5 a dramatic scene was enacted m Maoriland. Twenty-five years, previously Ruatara was Master of the Ceremonies. This time Captain Nias, of H.M.S Herald, occupied the post of honor. Tents decorated with flags were arranged round an area, with a platform, at Waita'nga, bn the north shore of the Bay of Islands. At 12 o'clock Captain Hobson, supported by Captain Nias and his officers, followed by all the

PRINCIPAL EUROPEAN INHABITANTS, took his seat on the platform. The chiefs were seated around it, and the Europeans were behind them. Henry Williams was ready with the treaty m Maori, carefully examined beforehand by Busby. Hobson addressed the chiefs, Williams acting as interpreter. Williams read and explained the treaty clause by clause. It guaranteed to the chiefs, tribes, and "to the respective individuals and families thereof, the full, exclusive, and undisturbed possession 01 their lands and estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess, as long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same." ♦ * # Tha chiefs were desired to speak t and be-