A CENTENARIAN'S DEATH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 38, 29 September 1911, Page 8

A CENTENARIAN' S DEATH.

I! ENRY BURLING’S HISTORY

Mr Henry Burling, whose death was announced recently, was horn at. Stratford, Essex, England, on May Ist, 1801. As a young man, says an exchange he followed the occupation of silk and satin printer at his native town, his occupation consisting mostly of mixing colours. In the year 1841, together with his wife and family, Mr Burling came to New Zealand, sailing from London in the good snip Big London, and arriving at Wellington. After some little time spent in and about Wellington, Mr Burling purchased a piece of land from a native named Apopa. Ho farmed this land, which was situated in wha,t is now known as Wadestown for some years. One day Mr Burling was asked by a surveyor named Fitzgerald to assist him in cutting a survey lino, | two of liis men being laid aside by illness. Air Burling did so, and proved sue!; an excellent workman that Air Fitzgerald persuaded him to work iegidarly with him, and he continued in his employ for many years. With Mr Fitzgerald's party he helped ; a cut the. first lino through the Hutt district, and afterwards right through the Wairarapa. Later on lie settled down at Featherston, where ho remained for many years. For a very considerable time he was engaged in driving stock between the Wairarapa and Wellington, when there were no roads, .at Featherston Mr. Burling followed farming pursuits till old age compelled him to take life more quietly. Ho came to live at Waikanao, with his son, Mr A. Burling, in. 1906. SOME FAMILY HISTORY. Mr Bnrling’s wife died in August, 1801, at Featherston. Mr and Mrs Burling has seven children, live sons and two daughters, of whom only three —two sons and one daughter—arc now alive. The eldest sou died, hut the second son, Mr Henry Burling, jiuu, resides in the Wairarapa, and is now 30 years of age. The other son Jiving is Mr Arthur Burling, in His 73rd year, who lives with his father, at Waikanac. The only daughter living is Mrs Sarah flooding, 69 years of ago, who lives in the Wairarapa. All t,..e centenarian’s children have large families, while their numerous children in turn have a great many children also. Questioned some time ago as to the number of direct descendants ho had, Mr Burling stated, with a laugh, there were so many ho had lost, count long ago, but his sou, who was present, remarked that a careful computation had been made recently, when it was ascertained that the centenarian had OVER COO DIRECT DESCENDANTS LIVING. Surely this must constitute a record for the Dominion, and Mr Burling mist have been a proud man indeed when he reflected on the small army if. his children, and groat-great-grand-children. LIVED UNDER SIX SOVEREIGNS. Mr Burling had the unique privilege of living under no less than six reigning British sovereigns. Ho was about 19 years of ago when King George HI. died, and well remembered the reigns of George IV. and William IV. (the Sailor King). He saw the late Queen Victoria many times during ti c early part of her reign, and was an interested spectator during the celebrations of her coronation.

NEW ZEALAND’S EARLY DAYS. Mr Burling played an active part in the early settlement of New Zealand, and was a splendid specimen of the stalwart pioneers who did so much for the Dominion. He shared the hardships of those troublous times and, through being possessed of a fine physique and indomitable pluck, was mdismayed by all the obstacles ho mot .vith in life, and despite all his hardships, came through with a marions record. For some very considerable time, before the days of roads, and when railways were undreamed of in New Zealand,

MR BURLING CARRIED THE MAILS ON FOOT between Wellington and Wanganui. When we consider flip state of the country in those very early days, the dense bush that abounded everywhere, the lack of roads or proper tracks, and most important of all, the fact that at this time the Maoris were almost,continuously at war, it will ho seen that it needed a man of grit, resource, and great physical strength to occupy such a position as that of mail carrier. Mr Burling could relate several thrilling incidents which occurred during those daring journeys, when ho literally carried his life in his hands. The journey from Wellington to Wanganui and back occupied, approximately, a fortnight. On coming to the numerous streams, which were ofttimes in flood, Mr Burling used to take off Ids clothes, tic them in a. bundle round his neck, together with the mails, and then swim the rivers. He could swim like a duck in those days, and ho could at that time walk 10 to 50 miles a day in good country and think-nothing of it. THE WAIRAU MASSACRE. Mr Burling was carrying the mails at the time of the Wairan massacre, in 1810, and in a chat with a newspaper representative gave a vivid description of the events leading up to tiiat dreadful slaughter. Being very friendly with the Maoris, he hoard the natives’ side of the question as well as that of the Pakehas, and unhesitatingly expressed the opinion that the bungling of the Europeans was largely responsible for the slaughter.

A DARING FEAT. Immediately after the Wairan massacre the Maoris wore very much exercised. and in a dangerous moral, so much so that it Avas unsafe for any Europeans to he away from civilisation. Mr Bulling could tell lunv, on bis return trip from one of his mailcarrying journeys, ho found the Maoris in a state of great excitement ail

the way from Paokakariki to Wellington. Ho himself was challenged on several occasions but being on most friendly terms with tho natives, was allowed to proceed on his journey unharmed. When near Wellington he met a number of armed constables, under Constable Burgess, who were about to enter the bush with the object of carrying mails and special despatches. Having hoard the Alaoris discussing the situation, and knowing their intentions, Mr Burling prevailed on Constable Burgess to desist from making the journey, telling him that ho was perfectly certain not a single man would live to tell the tale, the natives being determined to butcher them all. In accordance with Mr Burling’s request, tho constable returned to Wellington, and informed tho Governor what he had been told, whereupon Mr Burling was called before his Excellency, and repeated his statements. Asked what ho would advise to ho done, Mr Burling stated that it was madness to attempt to pass through the bush, which was lined'with’armed Alaoris, if carrying arms. Ho knew from experience and from what he had heard on his journey south that any armed Europeans would he slaughtered. After discussion, the Governor asked Mr Burling to undertake the perilous journey himself, and the courageous mailcarrier consented to do so. Ho bade farewell to His wife and family, who strove hard to prevent him from undertaking such a hazardous journey, and Started olf alone, unarmed. Soon after leaving ho was captured by some Alaori -shouts, and brought before tho groat lighting chieftain, Te Rangihae-ata,-.who, however, 1 was a personal friend of, Mr Binding’s, and allowed him 'to'proceed on His way unharmed. Arrived with a passport from “Rangi,” Mr.- Burling proceeded right through to Otaki and AVanganui, and delivered tho despatches and mails without mishap. /

ft is yyorthy of mention that in all his travels through parts infeted by blood-thirsty Maoris, even in times of war, Mr Burling never carried flroifrms, and to this lie ascribed the fact that ho never had friction with them. Ho was known to practically all the natives of the coast, and being able to talk the Alaori language, got on famously with them. RANGIHAETA AND TE RAUPARAHA. Air Burling was intimately acquainted with . the notorious lighting chieftain llangihaeata, who, ho thinks, was harshly judged by many people. He always found him a splendid fellow, true, to his, friends, generous, and brave .in battle. He was a splendid type of Alaori, a very handsome, well-made man, . standing 6ft. 2in. and of groat physical strength. Questioned on ou,e occasion as to whethejr tho knew To, Rauparaha, Air Burling,remarked, jy.’ith a laugh, “Oh, bless yon, of,, course LI knew ‘llobulla.He.j added , Quit the mighty Rauparaha wqs a,.jVCfjy.. crafty man in war" sjppill ,in stature, but of great strength, and,when in, anger his face wore sqch an ugly look as to make one afraid, to look at him. He well remembered the time when To Raiiparaha was captured near Paremata, on July, 23rd, 1846, and taken - aboard tho ship Calliope by orders of Governor Sir George Grey. It (r , is ~, interesting to know that Mi; Burling, thought ho led:, a hard life did not abuse, himclf, which was probably largely accountable for his longevity and good health. He was a smoker for many years, but did not over-in-clulgo in tobacco.