Early History of Taranaki

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1924, Page 8 (Supplement)

Early History of Taranaki

From 1850 to 1875

Essay open to scholars of N. P. .f]oys‘ High School

SENIOR DIVISION. FIRST PRIZE. (Frank Davis, Form IV. A, 15 years 10 months.) What a change! Bush-clad slopes, open beach, no sign of the presence of man, nothing but one vast waste of virgin forest, the silence of which is broken only by the call of some wild bird or the babbling of some small rocky mountain streamlet. To think that this wild scene could, during the course of less than a century, be transformed into one of the most beautiful and progressive towns in the whole of this young country! Yet from such a scene was New Plymouth, as we know it to-day, evolved, with its stone edifices, paved streets,, beautiful gardens, trams, deep-sea port, and everything else that is calculated to add to the charm of a modern city.

But the settlement has not always prospered. Set-backs of every kind have had to be surmounted, and it is to the resolute courage and unswerving loyalty of the hardy pioneers that we enjoy the privileges we now have. Between the years 1850-1860, after the first cloud that seems to be over every new land had passed over, prosperity reigned in the small settlement of New Plymouth. Generous harvests of grain and root crops from the fertile land put new life into the hearts of the settlers. In New South Wales, where the gold attracted hordes of prospectors, a ready market for the produce of the settlers was found.

But when the settlers seemed to be on the highway to prosperity, the dark clouds of war gathered menacingly over the settlement. Soon the sound of the axe in the bush was to cease. The little homes which had been built in the shade of the giants of the forest were t® be destroyed. The clearings, which had been made at so much cost and labour by the pioneers, were to be left to go back to the waste from which they had been recovered. Everything that had been done by the pioneers to make their new home something akin to their birth-place twelve thousand miles away was to be swept away in one turmoil of fire, bloodshed, and all the horrors that a war entails.

Land became a vital subject to the settlers. The settlement w-as swelled by the arrival of many new immigrants, and had of necessity to expand. It was hard to buy the land from the natives owing to their system of land-owner-ship. No single person owned the land, but every member of the hapu had an interest in it. Thus it came about that many quarrels arose over the sale of land to the settlers. Thus it came about that when Teira offered to sell the Peka Peka or Wait«a_ block to the Government the offer was accepted gratefully. The Government, without going into the real ownership of the land, pushed on the purchase. Wiremu Kingi and his followers of the Ngatiawa, who were peacefully and profitably tilling this fertile block, objected to the sale and claimed the ownership of the land. These people, who were defending their rights, saw in the white man a strong, enterprising race that would some day out-number their own. Naturally, they wished to postpone this evil day as long as possible.

The Government, however, disregarding the claim of Wiremu Ki-ngi, pushed on the survey of the block. The natives, enraged, by this disregard of their rights, stopped the surveyors and pulled out their pegs. On February 20, 1860, military force was called in, and two days later martial law was proclaimed. This marked the end of the prosperity of Taranaki. For nine long years Taranaki was to be scarred and torn by the

shot of two fighting forces. The war Mas to spread throughout the length

and breadth of Taranaki, reach the Waikato, and finally, like a grass fire, to spread to the East Coast.

The first conflict was at Kohia Pa, nine miles from New Plymouth;, and just within the disputed area. On March 17, Colonel Gold, with some Imperial troops, a few artillery men with one 12-pounder and two 24-pounder !Xuns,jind about 20 cavalry, stormed th& pa

The Maoris, however, as they did many a time afterwards, quietly evacuated it during the night, and when the pa was charged next day it was found empty. The first man to fall during the war was Trooper J. Sarten, a young cavalry man, who was killed in a daring ride up the parapet.

Nev.- Plymouth was then entrenched, the women and children were sent to Nelson, Imperial troops camo from Australia and England, and everything was prepared to withstand an attack of the Maoris. A redoubt was built, on Marsland Hill, and those settlors who had ventured further afield flocked into New Plymouth. Small forts were built by the settlors at Hua Village, or 801 l Block, so-called from its purchase by Mr. Dillon Bell, and at Omata. Later, in the second war. a fort was established at Sentry Hill and withstood an attack by natives effectively. All these redoubts had semaphore communication w'ith headquarters on Marsland Hill.

To enumerate all the fights and skirmishes of this war would occupy a volume, but special mention must be made of Waireka. In this memorable engagement the local militia showed that grim determination -which had formally characterised their efforts of peace. Here, also, Captain Harry Atkinson was to show his adaptability and courage in leading men. Another interesting feature of the day was the capture of Kaipopo pa by Colonel Cracroft and his bluejackets of H.M.S. Niger. After the engagement followed the tragic occurrence at Puke-ta-kauere, where Major Nelson and some members of the 40th Regiment were badly cut up and left 30 Grenadiers on the field, defeat was avenged at Mahoetahi.

Colonel Pratt had, after laying a sap with numerous redoubts 1623 yards long, to see the Maoris hoist the white flag and so end the war one year after it had begun.

Governor Gore-Brown was succeeded by Sir George Grey, and he investigated the whole cause of the war, and after much delay proved Wiremu Kingi’s claim to be the just one. After the war the Maoris claimed the Tataraimaka block, which had previously been bought by the Government, by right of conquest. Before Kingi’s claim and right to the Waitara block had been announced, military were sent to occupy the Tataraimaka block. This act was regarded .by the natives as an act of hostility, and the needless bloodshed began again. This time it was augmented by religious fanaticism, and ancient customs were revived and practised. The British captured a stronghold on the Kaitake, and then the scene of bloodshed shifted to South Taranaki, where Titokowaru embraced the Paimarire religion. • At Te Ngutu-o-te-manu a fierce engagement was and the British were defeated. At Turuturumoki 20 men held their small entrenchment against the hundreds of warriors in Titokowaru’s forces. After the engagement of those .twenty undaunted soldiers. fourteen lay dead or grievously wounded. Titokowaru continued his unchecked advance to within a dozen miles of Wanganui. Then the tide turned. Whitmore, who had returned from the East Coast, fought an engagement with him and drove him back, keeping him on the run and capturing every village, fortified position and stronghold of the Maori, and finally driving him into the wild country behind Waitara. When he returned to New Plymouth he found himself the popular hero of the day. Taranaki had seen the last of bloodshed and war, and could once again settle down to peaceful pursuits. The following years were spent in reconstruction. Great progress was made and the gloom of the forest gave place to green fields and prosperous homesteads. The inland towns were surveyed and began to be occupied by settlers. In 1873 the first sod was turned in the railway between New Plymouth and Waitara, and it was later extended to the rapidly growing town of Hawera. A port was begun, and soon the old surf boats were to give place to a little wharf. Oil and ironsand were exploited without much success, and the settlement rapidly extended. Maori and white man once again became friendly, and to-day the two races live in harmony side by side, their old feuds all forgotten.

Taranaki, which became the cockpit of the south, has turned into the most prosperous and closely settled province in New Zealand. It behoves every citizen to carry on the work of those sturdy pioneers who laid the foundations of this province. Surely their toil was not in vain! “Their names shall live forever.” SECOND PRIZE. . (H. Garner, Form Va, 16 years 5 months.) The long grass waves on the slopes of pa and redoubt; most of the warriors, pakeha or Maori, have now passed to rest. Sleep well, gallant hearts’. The task is over, a province founded, a few more names written in the Book of the Good and the Great.

It. is difficult to read the early pages of Taranaki history without experiencing emotions kindred to those inspired by the masters of romance. Although prior to 1860, a category of important events would be short, yet those

twenty years were full of a patient heroism, an unflagging devotion to duty, seldom equalled. Before a proper understanding of the period in hand can be reached a short sketch of the earliest pioneering days is almost indispensable.

In 1841 the Amelia Thompson east anchor off the Sugar Loaves. The long, low coast-line, fringed with dangerous rocks, and the thickly wooded slopes of the back country must have presented an uninviting aspect to the immigrants. Nevertheless, men and women of sturdy West Country stock, they amply vindicated their ancient reputation, and toiled unceasingly to cut

homos from the forest. It was only natural that a new settlement should be assailed by various hardships. New Plymouth proved no exception. Provisions were often scarce, shipowners refusing to send vessels to such a dangerous roadstead, but- not until 1853, when Governor Fitzroy decided that a large area of already ‘settled land must be returned to the natives, did any families leave for North Auckland.

In the early ’fifties the New Zealand Company re-opened emigration. About he same time a profitable trade in produce sprang up with Sydney, and this wave of prosperity continued until the commencement of the first Taranaki

campaign. The system of Government then enjoyed by the colony was somewhat different from what it is now. In 1853 the Constitution Act of the preceding year reached New Zealand. By it, a Central House and seven Provincial Councils were established. The former contained most of its present features, but the latter were miniature Westminsters. Each had its- Sergeant-a.t-Arms, its Speaker, and its Mace, while the ceremonies were performed with the. full dignity of the mother institution. New Plymouth chose for her superintendent Mr. Charles Brown. The various bodies continued their functions until November 1, 1876, when it was thought advisable to pass an Act of Abolition.

Before passing on to the period , of the wars, a word on subsequent civil development may not be out of place. Of course those fierce conflicts effectually

retarded expansion, but in 1872 Waitara was founded. Inglewood and Stratford followed in 1874 and 1877 respectively. From the south, bands of pioneers established Patea and Hawera.

The year 1866 saw oil first tapped at New Plymouth. High hopes were raised, but several companies made unsuccessful attempts to exploit the supposed fields. Ironsand presents a similar case. The first number of the Daily News contained an advertisement offering a reward of £l5O to the person who should satisfactorily demonstrate that he could produce saleable iron. The history of subsequent efforts is only too well known.

For many years the sole means of landing goods was by surf boats. Two rival companies, Messrs. Boswell and the Provincial Government, engaged in keen rivalry. The building of the breakwater and later the wharf,, served, however, to render them unnecessary.

1860: This year was a fateful one in Taranaki history. Its close saw the country in the throes of a savage conflict. The cause of the first campaign was briefly thus: Through its representative the Government had purchased some 600 acres of land from a minor chief, Teira. The principal leader, Wiremu Kingi, and many others of the tribe were enthusiastic supporters of the Anti-Land League, and consequently refused to sanction the sale. According to all established customs, the purchase was clearly not valid,,but nevertheless, on the Maoris offering resistance to the surveyors, a detachment was dispatched to occupy the block.

What followed is well know’n. The “L.” pa was stormed and the province plunged into war. Waireka gave a certain amount of encouragement and proved the mettle of the militia, but the disaster at ' Puke-te-kauere soon cast a gloom over the settlers. This was avenged at Mahoetahi, and a conflict, in which justice lay on the side of the Maori, terminated with the surrender of Te Arei.

The peace was merely a lull before the storm. Owing to a misunderstanding a column of troops occupied the Tataraimaka block, and the natives naturally regarded this as an act of war. For some months bush fighting continued, two fierce engagements being fought at No. 3 redoubt and Kaitakara. The storming of Kaitake again brought a temporary truce.

Phase three was the bloodiest and most destructive of all. In many ways it is entirely distinct from the preceding conflicts, but certain links exist. To the Maori of those days land was practically his all; he regarded it with a feeling almost incomprehensible to Europeans. The Native Lands Settlement Act of 1863. and the confiscation of large areas from so-called rebels naturally left him very sore. Pai Marire provided the necessary match to set alight to the straw. Although this strange chit professed to enjoin goodness and peace, in reality it bound the tribes together with the bands of fanaticism.

Sentry Hill redoubt was the earliest scene of converted ardour. A party of warriors, trusting implicitly in the promises of To Hau. literally flung themselves upon the rifles of the defenders. Even the resultant butchery* did not deter the Maoris from fresh attempts. Major-General Chute completed an extremely successful bush campaign, and it was thought that the country would enjoy a little respite. One roan caused the contrary to happen. He was Titokowaru.

The victory at Pungarehu prepared the way for the heroic defence of Turuturumokai. This latter engagement might be aptly described as the Rorke’s Drift of New Zealand. Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu saw the death of gallant Von Tempsky; at Moturoa, another pakeha repulse. There the tide turned, however, and Whitmore, on returning from the East Coast, eventually reduced the natives to submission.

It is hard for us now to realise the terror of those seemingly far-off ■days. Tn the peaceful native who is so frequent a sight on street -corners, the ruthless but chivalrous warrior spirit appears to be extinguished. No doubt it is all for the best. One thing we can do, however; wc may keep for ever fresh the memory of those gallant gentlemen whose graves dot the sides of many a pa and redoubt.