OLD TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1934, Page 13 (Supplement)

OLD TARANAKI

DISCORDANT NOTES

(By

J.H.S.—Copyright).

The conflicting view between Governor Fitzroy and the English Commissioner, Mr. Spain, regarding the claims of certain deposed Maori owners of Taranaki lands, led up to dangerous relations between them and the settlers. Hitherto, ideal conditions of mutual trust and help were in evidence. Now however, even the appearance of inconsistence in the decisions of their trusty Pakeha advisers brought open ridicule and contempt from the Maoris. The local Maoris, having returned from captivity under an alien tribe to the land of their ancestors, found it in tee possession of a foreign people who claimed to have purchased it from Maoris who had temporary occupation without any right to sell. They could not put their rights and opinions on paper, but expressed teem in true Maori fashion by satirising the objects of their aversion in grotesque carvings. When the Governor opened Bell Block for settlement, Katatore opposed it. He erected a carved post at Wai Whakaiho and declared it to be the boundary of the Pakeha land. On this totara post was shown the expressive rough Maori carving of a squatting Maori with protruding tongue, tee image of their utter scorn and derision. Above it was the placid figure of a Pakeha intruder, fit only to be kicked out of the country, or if permitted to remain, worthy only to become the Taurekareka (slave) of tee lords of the soil. For nearly half a century that post remained untouched, a tribute to the personal dominance of the savage personality, and the trust of the minority in their forbearance. The relations of the two became more complicated as the Maoris discovered that their alarming increase in sickness and mortality coincided with, the larger number of immigrants coming among them. With their innate belief that disease and early death were a secret disgrace, it was only natural that they should attribute this visitation to tee Pakeha having brought Whiro. (evil spirits) among them. They also silently, though strongly resented tee air of superiority assumed by tee .most commonplace Pakeha over Maori Rangatira (peaceful leaders), so constituted by generations of mental and physical power. Maoris “Rule by Agreement.” The origin of the Maori King movement significantly coincided with tee introduction of the Constitution Act, which gave representative Government to New Zealand in 1853. Immediately following Sir George Grey’s proclamation, a printed pamphlet was circulated among the Maoris by some interested Pakeha land agent, who had secured all the land he could hold. This document directed tee Maoris to follow the example of Naboth of Jezreel, who died a martyr rather than part with the inheritance of his father. The Pakehas were clearly indicated as being tee representatives of Ahab and Jezebel. This clever admixture of piety and avarice evidently led the Maori people, who were so well versed in Bible history and so susceptible to its teachings, into the disastrous wars which followed. The good influence of Sir George Grey waned with his departure for England on December 31, 1853, when Col. Wynyard succeeded him. The Taranaki Maori Land League was then formed and eventually became the Maori King movement It was for defence and offence binding its members not to sell, also prohibiting. others from.# selling. Tamati Reina was its chief exponent and he toured the coastal tribes from North Taranaki to Wellington. As a symbol of union they built a great meeting house with four thousand square feet of floor space at Manawapou, naming it Taiporo he nui. A thousand Maori warriors attended the ceremonial opening, when a solemn oath was administered, binding each one to die if he failed to obey tee league. This was vividly impressed by passing and pressing a keen edged tomahawk from hand to hand in complete silence. A Bible was buried in the earth with great ceremony, calling upon God to witness the inviolable nature of their compact. A long korero was held in which there was complete determination by tee league (1). That no more land shall be sold without unanimous consent; (2). That for tee Ngatiruanui and Taranaki tribe- the Pakeha boundary shall be from ” : Iwi to Waiwhakaiho streams; (3). That within all native boundaries no European magistrate shall have jurisdiction, all disputes to be settled by the Runanga (Maori Council).

Katatore Ihaia and Teira. / In 1854 the League had been weakened by the absence of written records and tee dying habit of committing everything to the practised memories of their trusty Tohungas. Commissioner McLean (Sir Donald) purchased land at Puketapu from Rawiri, whose men were attacked by Katatore, a rival chief, while engaged in cutting the boundaries. Many, including Rawiri, were killed. He was held in esteem by the Pakeha’s, who demanded the arrest of his murderer. His Excellency Col. Wynyard was afraid to interfere. Katatore, through fear or remorse, broke faith with tee Land League of which he was one of the sponsors, and offered to sell land to the Governor. Complications arose when Rimene was shot because he had eloped with Ihaia’s wife, a deadly sin in Maori eyes. Wiremu Kingi, of Waitara, artfully told the natives that the sole cause of Rimene’s death was that he had been a follower of the rival chief Katatore. Thus he fomented a native feud which lasted four years. The white settlers were not involved; but complications arose through shootings on their farms. In 1855 a detachment of the 58th was stationed on Marsland Hill, which they levelled as a camp site. Meantime, Katatore, while under tee influence of Waipiro (evil smelling liquid) offered to sell 10,009 acres. Ihaia’s people ambushed Katatore’s followers near'Bell Block, killing the leader and a number of his men with tomahawks, thus incurring the deadly hatred of many Maori loyalists and invoking the aid of the sacred law of Utu (reprisal), to avert the consequences of which the Government secretly aided Ihaia to seek sanctuary in the Chatham Islands.

Another echo of our disregard for the Maori Land League arose from the Government payment of £lOO to Teira on account' of the disputed 600 acres near Waitara. Wi Kingi, whose men obstructed the surveyors, said “We do not desire to fight; we love the white men; but we cannot permit Teira to sell this land.” Then resulted the ten year’s war, and “The flame teat lit tee battle’s wreck, caused war to rage, and blood around to pour.”