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Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 8

The influence of personality was illustrated at the founding of the Anglican Mission to Maoris by Samuel Marsden in 1814, said the Bishop of Waiapu (Bishop Williams) at St. Mary’s Church, NewPlymouth. When the missionaries arrived a barrel containing tools and implements was rifled by the Maoris, and the contents were stolen. Marsden, though not a man of striking appearance, told the chief that unless the goods were returned he and the missionaries would go back to Sydney. The Maoris had not asked for missionaries and did not really care whether they stayed or left, but something about Marsden must have appealed to them. The next day all the goods were returned but one axe. It was explained that this was held by the Maori who had first rifled the barrel. He had been expelled from the tribe for his offence, but it was thought only fair he should be allowed to retain just one axe.