Stewart Island

Southland Times, Issue 22216, 8 January 1934, Page 9

Stewart Island

j Pages from History \ \ — ' ; BRITISH DIPLOMAT AT J t COURT. J

By “The Native.”

“The soldiers of the chief and Natives arranged themselves on deck, the marines went through their manual and platoon exercises as had been promised, and afterwards at my request Captain Nias permitted a few sailors to go through the sword exercise, which, as I had anticipated, pleased and interested them much, particularly the ‘attack and defence’, the chief frequently calling to his followers to pay attention and see how it was performed. “Whilst the ship was getting under weigh, they took their departure, two other chiefs having also been permitted to sign at the request of Tooiaki. .

“This influential chief is one of those individuals who (similarly with Rauparaha in Cook Strait) have had sufficient address to gain the ascendency over the chiefs of the neighbouring tribes, without any claim from circumstances of birth. “I understand there are some excellent harbours in the western shore of the Middle Island. Milford Haven has been pointed out to me in particular, whilst Knowles River as laid down in Macdonald’s chart in Foveaux Strait has no existence. It is much to be regretted that this coast has not been surveyed In Foveaux Strait a magistrate is also much wanted; and from the manner, address and appearance of Mr Hesketh I am disposed to think favourably of him, and as being qualified to execute prudently the duties of a similar office. Further inquiries might, however be made at Sydney, where I understand he is known to Captain Lethbridge—l have etc. “Thomas Bunbury, “Major 80th Regiment. To his Excellency Capt. Hobson R.N. Lieut. Governor. Arrived at Ruapuki, Mr E. M. Williams, the interpreter, found that he could only with difficulty make himself understood to the Natives on account of the difference between their dialect and that of the Ngapuhi, with which Mr Williams was familiar. However a Native was found residing in the island who was familiar with the Ngapuki language, and through him Mr Williams carried on a conversation between Tuhawaiki and Messrs Nias and Bunbury. and the Treaty of Waitangi was explained. A Native of the Rarawa tribe named Te Hakitara, some time before this, had gone south from Auckland in a whaler and taken up his abode in Ruapuke. He is said to have rendered valuable aid to Tararoa against Rauparaha, and Native sources indicate that he was the assistant interpreter, Kaikoura of Kaikoura and Taiaroa of Otago were the “other chiefs” which Bunbury’s dispatch states were “permitted to sign at the request of Tooiaki.” But for his visit to Ruapuke at this time, the signature of Taiaroa would have been obtained at Otago. Tuhawaiki’s dominions extended very far north in the South Island and the northern chiefs who were subordinate to him were in the habit of visiting Ruapuke and staying with him sometimes for as long as two years. McGregor, the supposed convict, ran away with two women belonging to Tuhawaiki’s tribe and several slaves. It is supposed they made their way up the coast. The slaves were Ngatitoas captured at Tuturau, near Mataura, when Te Rauparaha’s expedition met with its Waterloo at the hands of Tuhawaiki. The remnant, after the victory feast, were made slaves and taken to Ruapuke. Doubtless they were only too willing to give the Maori chief the slip. At the spot where MfGregor embarked signs indicated that the women had been wounded, as in a struggle to take them away. This so enraged Tuhawaiki that he gave orders for two of the remaining slaves to be killed. Beyond that he took no revenge. The Englishman residing at Otago who was murdered by the Native was a carpenter, Brown. The murderer’s name was Tuteraki Paoa, Mr Parata M.H.R. says that Brown and Tuteraki Paoa quarrelled over some love affair, and the Maori shot Brown. Taiaroa secured the murderer and put him in irons. The captains of the local vessels formed a court martial and sentenced the murderer to death. He however anticipated the verdict of the court by committing suicide, shooting himself while sitting in irons. His wife sitting behind him, voluntarily met death with the same bullet. No Whaling Ships met Mr Williams says that throughout the whole of the southern portion of the trip not a whaling vessel was met with. He thinks that the Portugese and French whalers mentioned in the despatch were anchored at the Bluff. It was no unusual thing for several vessels to be in the Bluff in these early days at the one time. We have it recorded that on August 27, 1836 the Gratitude, Captain Fisher, with 2100 barrels black and 100 barrels sperm oil, and the Marion Watson, 146 tons, Captain McPherson, were both at the Bluff. The concern of Tuhawaiki to have Ruapuke declared the property of himself and his tribe had, doubtless, some connection with the land claims, which were very much in evidence about that time. No fewer than 10 claims were mentioned by Terry as being made for land on Foveaux Strait. They ranged in time from 1824 to 1840 and covered areas totalling 1,092,100 acres. Tuhawaiki as the ruling chief must have been concerned in every one of them. As however these land claims did not arise in this visit, they can best stand over for separate treatment. It is sufficient to say that the Wetter mentioned in the report claimed 31 million acres in the South Island.

“I find amongst the public accounts of the colony of New South Wales mention made of payments from the revenue of that colony to the officers of H.M.S. Herald in connection with this visit. To Captain Nias “allowance for entertainments on board H.M. Ship Herald, Major Bunbury whilst engaged on a diplomatic mission at New Zealand, April 27 to July 2, £140.” To P. L. D. Bean, “for entertaining Mr E. Williams at the gun-room mess on board H. M. Ship Herald from New Zealand to Sydney £37. Bean was the master of the Herald. (Murihiku 1905).